Another 'I need a PC' thread

I know it might sound a lot to spend, but I'd like something that is also a little bit future proof. Also, if I do feel like firing up a game, I would like it to be able to handle it, not with the highest graphic settings etc etc, but just to mess around for a couple hours.

I know I'm trying to find the middle ground, which is probably not the smartest thing to do, but maybe as close to the middle as possible.

Some of the suggestions that have come through sound really good, including using the PS3. I guess in the end it is all personal preference, but its nice to get other points of view.
 
cerebus said:
Mac Mini...
:sick:
Click to expand...
For an HTPC it's hard to beat, so small, has HDMI and consumes 8W of power, it's perfectly silent, and it has an IR receiver built in.. The 320M graphics are decent for some light gaming. Only problem is no native blu-ray playback, but I watch HD-rips personally. Gosh you guys are talking R14k for an HTPC that's crazy.
 
The mini looks nice, low power consumption, but just from a quick check the 500GB model comes in at around R10k. Or am I missing something? And yeah, Blu-Ray and PVR functionality is going to be a must for me.
 
I'm also voting ps3. It's got all the imputs you need + maybe more. you can play cool games and play all the movies with the ps3 media server. I own both and while the pc is good my ps3 is the best thing I've bought all times. ps3 is way more silent than a pc will be. Trying to build a Silent pc will cost to much
 
I am not all that keen on the PS3 idea. It's primarily a gaming console, NOT primarily an HTPC. Archer is right - you'll come up against compatibility issues, networking issues and so on - whereas a pure dedicated PC won't have any of those issues. If you spend money on a half decent graphics card - a gtx460 is a good suggestion, or even lower - maybe a 5770 - and a good quality htpc chassis, you can set it up exactly how you want with no issues and play a bit of games as you say.
 
Sigh.

HTPC way better than console. You're forgetting how expensive console games and the fact a console cant even run outlook or excel. Console is not a solution.
 
Well clearly a console IS a solution, but you'll need a console + an HTPC to do the job of a simple HTPC alone. To me, rather spend the extra money on upgrading the htpc rather than making compromises on the one in order to have the both, or save money and just use a barebones PC with an 8600gt.
 
The HTPC build was really silly expensive. R14k! That's why I threw in the Mac comparison, I was like, if you wanna waste money ...

It really depends on what you wanna do with it, if it's primarily watch videos, get a PS3, or an HD player for like R1000.

Otherwise every component on that build was overpriced, you don't need premium DDR3 ram, a 550W PSU, a GTX 460 and things like that. You can get away with R5k-6k. A PS3 is still cheaper, smaller and quieter IMO.
 
look at this http://www.fit-pc.com/web/

we ordered one of these and man it's awesome. I suggest to get the one with win7 or xp include cause they modified it to make it play 1080p smoothly. all you need now is a usb tv tuner
 
Synaesthesia said:
The HTPC build was really silly expensive. R14k! That's why I threw in the Mac comparison, I was like, if you wanna waste money ...

It really depends on what you wanna do with it, if it's primarily watch videos, get a PS3, or an HD player for like R1000.

Otherwise every component on that build was overpriced, you don't need premium DDR3 ram, a 550W PSU, a GTX 460 and things like that. You can get away with R5k-6k. A PS3 is still cheaper, smaller and quieter IMO.
Click to expand...

Yea look you need to be quite clear what you want. A r10K build is much more than a standard HTPC should need. r14k is proper gaming PC territory. For media, a dual core with 2gb ddr2 ram and a low-end videocard will really do the trick - and that shouldn't cost more than r5000.
 
You can build a HTPC for R4k easily (excl HDD iirc). A cheapy dual core with onboard graphics will play any video, but may be enough for very light gaming. Chuck in a 5770 for R1500 and you've got gaming too. And taking Starcraft as yuor measurement of how expensive PC games are, and then comparing it to buying old PS3 games is a bit too much. Do a proper comparison instead of swaying the facts to suit you. Also like how you imply that upgradeability of a PC is a bad thing by saying that games wont be playable in a few years time. Guess what - your PS3 will also be replaced, and chances are you'll still be stuck with crummy console graphics. But I'll say it again, a PS3 is a good HTPC, but not perfect!
 
PS3 does have alot of advantages such as the Blu Ray capability, hdmi, etc etc .... but you still need PS3 Media Server to make it work properly plus a wired connection to play 1080p files (and 'other formats') ... and if you have a wired connection you may as well want to browse the net for youtube and things like that, using a ps3 controller and T9 typing does not work well there

Nothing wrong with a PS3 as far as gaming is concerned, but when it comes to a htpc it has a bit of limitations.....

Since you have the budget, why not consider a 3D setup? Just an idea :)
 
alota hostility between pc n console. :P thing is the htpc can be built from scratch as an all in one media box which can also play the occassional game. ps3 is a gaming console with media capabilities as an added extra. i for one like d ps3 but prefer an htpc for media since i can include the functions i want.

my media pc: asus p5kse epu mb R1100
gfx: geforce 9500gt 512mb hdcp compliant R877
cpu: intel core2duo 3.16 OC to 4.2 R1700
hdd: seagate b 500gb @7200.11 rpm R700
ram: corsair xms 2 ddr2 800mhz 3x1gb R1400
case: normal gaming case R700
windows 7 ult R2300 cost to me...N/A :D
mc remote hauppauge R280
monitor: acer h233h hdcp compliant R2200

total= R11 257.00

it plays anything and everything very smooth on mce with no lag. adding a blu ray writer later n maybe a digital tuner when gov stop scratching their behinds about wich standard to adopt.
 
Wierd build. Why Core 2 duo, why not Core i3. Also why 3x1gb for the RAM? And an 9500GT, this is all old now, the ATi 5xx series is the best.
 
its about 16 months old. my point is d specs dnt have to be high end for a decent htpc.

i get my sound to the amp via coaxial cable on d built in hd 8ch audio.
 
at te moment it serves me well, ofcourse ima upgrade in december when prices fall coz everyone wants to sell out their stocks for major moola.
 
Romito said:
its about 16 months old. my point is d specs dnt have to be high end for a decent htpc.

i get my sound to the amp via coaxial cable on d built in hd 8ch audio.
Click to expand...

Oh my bad that's your PC. No problem, I thought that's what you were suggesting. Nothing wrong with that!
 
Well the one real advantage a PS3 has of course is blu-ray and real gaming out of the box without having to buy any additional equipment - a decent graphics card and pc blu-ray player will set you back the same price as (or more than) a PS3 - so I can see the value in it tbh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X