Help with a new computer

[kennyg]

I'd like to build another computer. This time, however, I'd like to have help in choosing new parts to accomplish the things that I want the computer to do. I don't need a power computer; I don't play games. I do play movies, watch TV, watch Netflix, burn home movies onto disks, use the internet, store lots of pictures, run a business using Excel a lot, want USB 3, card slots, have room for at least 1 more (older) SATA hard drive. I also want a very quiet case. And at least 8GB ram. I use Windows 7 pro (64 bit) and have an unused Window 8 upgrade disk. I'd make a contribution to the cause for some good advise on a system that would work.

[zburns]

kennyg, Welcome to the forums,

I encourage you to 'pick' the components. The following is some help or recommendations from the MySuperPC Forum.

Here is a URL with three Budget Builds: http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?1642-Recommendations-Budget-Build Note the moderator's name, Wise Monkey, at the top and the date, 5-13-2008 -- ignore this old date; Wise Monkey is a 'past moderator'. The builds listed were all updated by Ricky Tick on the dates (July 2012) shown with the builds.

Here is a second URL with a list of cases and two 'HIgh End' builds, also by Ricky Tick: http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?3368-Build-Recommendations-High-End

There are five builds to look thru between both of the above URLs and they are current components as of July of 2012 (see cpu comment that follows) . The cpus listed are Sandy Bridge in four cases and Ivy Bridge in one case. Ivy Bridge is the latest Intel cpu. The 'k' suffix on any of the cpu intel cat number means that particular cpu can be overclocked. A intel cpu without a 'k' suffix means the operating frequency is locked to a single frequency.

Overclocking is primarily for gamers.

I also suggest you read thru this url written by Rob, the Administrator and owner of the MySuperPC website. New information or data is always a plus or a minus; since you are a new builder, this page should be helpful!
http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?4898-Gigabyte-GA-Z77X-UD5H-and-MSI-GeForce-GTX-660-Video-Card-PCI-3-0&p=22424#post22424
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Here is a URL dated June 7, 2012 from PC Mag comparing Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405317,00.asp

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Please use the above information to get started. We can verify if any components have been outdated by 'newer' components that have better reviews. We probably recommend the addition of an SSD to the above lists to use as the hard drive cache.

Do not hesitate to ask any questions regards the above.