Complete amateur. Need component help

[Jmp6p]

Hi all,

I am completely new to building a computer but determined and excited to try it. I know the first step is picking the right components. I am hoping folks can help me.

I need a machine that can hook to an HDTV. I will do no gaming. I will use it for Internet, streaming videos, playing BluRay, streaming and playing native music, ripping my DVD collection, hosting files to download off internet, remote desktop connection, and torrenting. In the future, I probably want to install a tv tuner to watch and record live tv. Multi-tasking is important in that I might want to rip while torrenting while streaming at the max. Might use office later on but not at the moment. Have windows 7 to install.

I have always thought I need the i5 and an LGA1155 is the easy way to go. Do I need this or is an i3 sufficient?

Thinking an SSD for the OS is a good idea. Anything else I should put on it? I am a little bit intimidated by switching the temp files and other writes to other HDDs like I've read about.

My budget is 500-600. Doable? Any specific recommendations or general advice? I'm particularly concerned with which CPU I should get as well as features on the mobo, but I will take any advice and any specific component recommendations I can get.

Thank you so much for your help. I really really appreciate it and hope downthe road I can return the favor.

[Jmp6p]

Also, before I sound selfish and lazy, I have searched and read plenty about this but everyone seems to jump from low-level HTPCs to gaming rigs and I think I might fall somewhere in-between. Or do my intended uses from above slate me for one of those type builds.

Thanks again for any help at all.

[RickyTick]

Here's what I'm thinking.
case and psu - Antec 300 with psu
cpu - i3-2100
mobo - Asus P8H67-V
ram - 4gb (2x2gb) DDR3 1333
HDD - SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4
Blu-ray - LG WH12LS38
Sound card - ASUS Xonar DX 7.1

[Bryon]

~Priced Out RickyTick's List~

case and psu - Antec 300 with psu -$84.99
cpu - i3-2100 -$124.99
mobo - Asus P8H67-V -$104.99
ram - 4gb (2x2gb) DDR3 1333 -$25.99 ~ Average
HDD - SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 -$159.99
Blu-ray - LG WH12LS38 -$89.99 ~ Deactivated on NewEgg
Sound card - ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 -$89.99

Total: -$680.93

Looks like a solid build to me =]

Bryon

[ARchamps]

Pretty nice build. Just to throw out another suggestion, the new AMD APU's are really good too and similiarly priced. For an HTPC/non-gamer/budget build, I think they are perfect.

Review of AMD A8 3850 (http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-a8-3850-apu-review/12)
Look specifically at the benchmarks. For the same price, you get better on-board video performance than the i3.

Review of AMD A8 3870K (http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/50952-amd-a8-3870k-unlocked-llano-apu-review.html)
Another review of the "k" version. The main advantage over the i3 is the IGP performance (no dedicated GPU). This seems like what you are planning, so very relevant.

AMD A8 3850 - $129.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103942)
AMD A6 3670K - $119.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106002)

ASUS F1A75-M FM1 - $94.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131768)

Just another option to think about. You'll get better performance for the $$. The only potential downside that I see is FM1 chipset might be a dead upgrade path. However, they did recently release the 'K' processors. I believe these have an unlocked multiplier which gives you the ability to OC the processor. I build a PC for Dad with the A6-3650 and it performs well and it only cost me about ~$500 in total.

Both options seem fine to me though. Let us know what you decide!