New to PC Specalist -- Mini PC Spec help please ?

[welchb]

Hi All,

I'm new to PC Specalist as a company and am reading some good things on the forums. Hope someone can help me here

I have recently bought a new flat screen TV and would like to connect a mini-PC to it -- via HDMI to do the following -->

1) -- Stream Video from a NAS server -- already on home Network normal video and HD (the network connections are all in place)
2) -- Same with Audio
3) -- Normal PC functions, e.g. web browsing, PC Apps, MS Office or equivilant.
4) -- Playing games --- would prefer it be quite high spec so that newer games can play.

Other considerations for me would be --->
-- Must have a BlueRay Player
-- Must be as quiet as possible
-- Would prefer it has USB 3 ports -- (oor at least a couple) -- with front access
-- Would like it to have the black case (to match TV) and SKY box.
-- Would prefer it to be as economical to run as will probably be leaving it on for extended periods

I'm not too bothered if it's Intel Based or AMD --- unless there is an advantage ??? and I'm not too sure number of cores ????

Lastley -- all other PC's on our home network are running XP sp3 --- I'm guessing this would be Win7 and would look for recommendations on which version and 32 bit Vrs 64 bit.

I've left the HDD size, RAM to those who know more than me so again welcome recommendations.

Sorry if this is a big ask and would really appreciate the help/pointers.

Thanks in advance,

Brian

 

[welchb]

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5-680 Dual Core (3.60GHz, 4MB Cache) + HD Graphics + Turbo Boost

Motherboard
INTEL® DH57JG: H57 Express Chipset, 10-Channel HD Audio, 2x DDR3

Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB)

Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT430 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11

2nd Graphics Card
NONE

Memory - Hard Disk
1.5TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 32MB CACHE (7200rpm)

DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
SONY BD-5730S 6x BLURAY WRITER & CYBERLINK SOFTWARE (£119)

Memory Card Reader
NONE

Sound Card
ONBOARD 10 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs

USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD

Bluetooth & Infrared Options
NONE

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)

Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)

Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

Stand-Alone Monitor
NONE

2nd Monitor
NONE

DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE (£8)

External Keyboard & Mouse
NONE

Notebook Mouse
NONE

External Speakers
NONE

Webcam
NONE

Headsets (VOIP)
NONE

Surge Protection
NONE

Printer
NONE

External Hard Drive
NONE

Home Installation
NONE

Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Data Recovery
NONE

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 13 working days

Quantity
1

Should have mentioned this is what I'm looking at not sure if it's overkill for the above post.

I'd like to keep price 'sensible' however don't mind paying a bit more for a good machine -- max budget is about £800

Any thoughts ?

 

[PCS]

Here's my suggestions:

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5-650 Dual Core (3.20GHz, 4MB Cache) + HD Graphics + Turbo Boost
Motherboard
INTEL® DH57JG: H57 Express Chipset, 10-Channel HD Audio, 2x DDR3
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)
Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT430 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11
Memory - Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR GREEN WD10EARS, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
SONY BD-5730S 6x BLURAY WRITER & CYBERLINK SOFTWARE (£119)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 10 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £660.00 including VAT and delivery.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/intel-core-mini-pc/

This will do everything you need it to; the GT430 graphics card is the most powerful card we have for a Mini PC. It will play the latest games fine, but on standard settings - you cant play on high settings.

It will be very economical, but it won't have USB 3.0 ports, but the motherboard does have quite a lot of connections:

Finally - for noise levels, it won't be silent, and you will be able to hear it, as it's going to have a powerful CPU and a PSU fan.

We will have a 100% fanless whisper quiet (noisiest component is hard drive) PC available in about 1 weeks time, however it will be Intel Atom based, and use integrated graphics, so not very powerful or suitable for your intended usage.

 

[welchb]

Thanks very much for the reply and recommendations --- this looks good.

I'll get onto the ordering page very soon.

Much appreciated

Brian

 

[welchb]

In fact

Have just placed an order ---> Order Num : 369082