New HTPC Build - $600 Budget Thoughts

khoumic

Distinguished
Feb 9, 2012
4
0
18,510
So this is my first HTPC build and am looking for some feedback on components.

I'm interested in using this system to playback Movies and Music, serve as a Music streaming device throughout my home and some internet surfing. Movie Streaming and Gaming are not high priority.

So far i'm looking at the following components:

CPU: Intel Core i3 3225 3.3GHz LGA 1155 Boxed Processor 
MB: ASRock H77M Socket 1155 H77 mATX Intel Motherboard 
PSU: COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-I3 460W ATX12V V2.31
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
SSD: OCZ Agility 4 AGT4-25SAT3-64G 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC (SSD)
STORAGE: WD Green WD30EZRX 3TB IntelliPower SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
CASE: nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum panel & Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX

I may go with an aftermarket cooler (air or water?) to minimize sound. Right now this is priced at around $550 after rebates between Microcenter and Newegg. Any suggestions in terms of add-ons/substitutions? Not sold on the PSU, should I be going at least bronze?
 

lecroj

Honorable
Apr 11, 2013
5
0
10,510
I am building almost the same system this weekend. I will just be using this for TV, Movies, email and surfing the web (no games). I am doing it in steps, trying to re-use old hardware, save money and not add anything I wont use.
I gutted an older Dell with a broken motherboard and realized my Core Duo CPU wouldnt work with a more modern motherboard. I went with Intel Celeron G1610 which is the best value for around $50 and runs at only 55W.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_value_alltime.html

Went with the same motherboard you chose (Rock H77M LGA1155) for $65 and I can upgrade the Celeron later to an i3-i7 if I need more power. I added Pioneer Blu Ray 207DBK for $50 and the Silverstone ML03B case for $60, a Rosewill 350W PS for $30 and ARCTIC Freezer 11 cooler for $18 (very quiet and low profile). The PS sucks so don't get that one, the power wires won't reach the HDs so I had to add some adapters for about $20. I have an old video card from the Dell and I will add that too. So right now I am in for $263.

I am going to re-use my old 250gb HD but if Windows won't work because I changed the MB, I will add a 128gb SDD for $98 and Windows 8 for $100. I aslo plan to reuse the 3gb RAM from the Dell because Windows 8 can run 64bit on 3gb ram. If that doesnt work, I will add 1 stick of 4GB RAM and if I need to upgrade, I can add a second stick later.

If I find it difficult to store stuff on my 2TB network drive, I will then add a 3TB HD for $130.

Full system if I add everything.
Case SilverStone Micro ATX HTPC Case ML03B $60
Processor Intel Celeron G1610 2.60GHz BX80637G1610 $46
Motherboard ASRock H77M LGA1155 $65
Cooler ARCTIC Freezer 11 LP CPU Cooler for Intel $18
Hard Drive WD 3TB $130
RAM Corsair Vengance 1x 4GB $34
Blu Ray Pioneer Blu Ray 207DBK $50
Video Card Radeon 3400 (I had this already)
Power Source Rosewill 350W ATX12V Power Supply RV350-2 $30 (don't buy this)
Solid State Drive SDSSDP-128G- G25 $98
Software Windows 8 builder $100
Total Price $631