HELP building SPECIAL CPU

likwiFIRE · 08-13-2006, 04:38 PM

Hey, I am looking to purchase a new computer that will not be my main Computer. This computer is going to be connected to a stereo which I have downstairs. I wish also to purchase a touchscreen LCD monitor in which I will mount on the wall. I have rip'ed all of my cd's onto a 250 gig hard drive in which I will be putting in this machine. I just want to turn on the computer and I guess just always have windows media player opento the library, and all we will have to do is touch the song we want on the touchscreen, and it will play...
I need help with 3 things:
1) What do I look for when buying a touchscreen monitor?
-What is the difference between AccuTouch, Capacitive, IntelliTouch, and Resistive?
-What is a good brand or monitor that I should get? I just want a small 15'' flatscreen touchscreen that I can hang on the wall.
2) For my project that I am doing, is it all right to just get a really cheap dell computer, and then put my already filled music hard drive into this machine?
-I am connecting this computer to a VERY nice stereo system, and I do want very good quality sound. Does processor speed matter? What sound card should I be looking at, or is a cheap $25 sound card with a simple line out fine? Remember that I want good sound quality.
3) For my situation should I just use windows XP, or should I get Windows Media Center Edition.

PLEASE HELP ME .. thanx

Gilinator · 08-13-2006, 05:05 PM

I don't think that you will have to have media cntre to play a good quality, ordinary XP will have the same quality. I think it is determined by the sound card.

JoshSB · 08-13-2006, 08:52 PM

Clarification: CPU = Central Processing Unit, you need a special computer, not a CPU.

Alcohol · 08-13-2006, 09:00 PM

In any event, use a 3rd party media player like winamp, or possibly whatever comes with the soundcard you end up buying because in all my experiences, WMP produces crappy sound quality.

And sound card does matter, big time.

WorldIndustries · 08-14-2006, 11:13 AM

You don't even need a new computer for that. Just a P3 probably, with 256, maybe half a gig of RAM. You would need a decent sound card though.

likwiFIRE · 08-14-2006, 12:34 PM

What program then produces very good sound quality if WMP does not? If I get Windows Media Center will the sound quality be good? What type of sound card should I buy?

Alcohol · 08-14-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by likwiFIRE
What program then produces very good sound quality if WMP does not? If I get Windows Media Center will the sound quality be good? What type of sound card should I buy?

I use winamp. The creative mediasource player that came with my sound card also sounds good. I never really use anything other then winamp though...

As far as the sound card goes, I have a soundblaster audigy 2 zs and it sounds pretty **** good coming out over my m-audio bx8 studio monitors.

<edit> rofl @ the word "d@mn" being censored.

08-13-2006, 04:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
likwiFIRE Newb Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 31	HELP building SPECIAL CPU Hey, I am looking to purchase a new computer that will not be my main Computer. This computer is going to be connected to a stereo which I have downstairs. I wish also to purchase a touchscreen LCD monitor in which I will mount on the wall. I have rip'ed all of my cd's onto a 250 gig hard drive in which I will be putting in this machine. I just want to turn on the computer and I guess just always have windows media player opento the library, and all we will have to do is touch the song we want on the touchscreen, and it will play... I need help with 3 things: 1) What do I look for when buying a touchscreen monitor? -What is the difference between AccuTouch, Capacitive, IntelliTouch, and Resistive? -What is a good brand or monitor that I should get? I just want a small 15'' flatscreen touchscreen that I can hang on the wall. 2) For my project that I am doing, is it all right to just get a really cheap dell computer, and then put my already filled music hard drive into this machine? -I am connecting this computer to a VERY nice stereo system, and I do want very good quality sound. Does processor speed matter? What sound card should I be looking at, or is a cheap $25 sound card with a simple line out fine? Remember that I want good sound quality. 3) For my situation should I just use windows XP, or should I get Windows Media Center Edition. PLEASE HELP ME .. thanx

08-13-2006, 05:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gilinator Super Techie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 278	I don't think that you will have to have media cntre to play a good quality, ordinary XP will have the same quality. I think it is determined by the sound card. __________________

08-13-2006, 08:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
JoshSB Geek Squad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 780	Clarification: CPU = Central Processing Unit, you need a special computer, not a CPU. __________________ Geek Squad Counter Intelligence Agent "Truth is violated by falsehood but outraged by silence." Ad Astra Per Aspera- To the stars, through difficulty.

08-14-2006, 11:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
WorldIndustries Monster Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,236	You don't even need a new computer for that. Just a P3 probably, with 256, maybe half a gig of RAM. You would need a decent sound card though. __________________ A64 3500+ (@2.2GHz) 1GB OCZ Plat DDR600 DFI Lanparty NF4-D XFX GeForce 8600GT Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Samsung Spinpoint 120GB IDE Toshiba Satellite A-200 C2D T5250 @1.5GHz 2GB DDR2 RAM 200GB SATA Drive ATI Radeon HD 2400

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08-13-2006, 09:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Alcohol Newb Techie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 22	In any event, use a 3rd party media player like winamp, or possibly whatever comes with the soundcard you end up buying because in all my experiences, WMP produces crappy sound quality. And sound card does matter, big time.

08-14-2006, 12:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
likwiFIRE Newb Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 31	What program then produces very good sound quality if WMP does not? If I get Windows Media Center will the sound quality be good? What type of sound card should I buy?