HTPC Build from scratch, under $500 (less preferred)

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Shinners

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Dec 17, 2011
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Hey everyone.

Time Warner Cable is awful, so I'm building an HTPC to take over for all my viewing needs. I'll be using XBMC as a front end to stream the media I own and get HuluPlus, Netflix, Amazon, and the channel-specific shows goings. I also want a Blu-ray player in there. Finally, I'll probably run some emulators (don't worry, I own the cartridges - it's just annoying to constantly turn the consoles on and switch the carts). I already have a wireless keyboard with a track pad, so input is covered.

Here's what I'm looking at so far:
Approximate Purchase Date: Soon (ASAP)

Budget Range: $500 or less, with an emphasis on less

System Usage from Most to Least Important: XMBC, Blu-ray play, light web surfing, emulators

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Here's where I need help. I have a basic list down. Please let me know if I should switch any of this stuff out. I also would like suggestions for cases that will fit this stuff and have a slim profile. And if I'm missing something, feel free to tell me what!

Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H AMD Socket FM2 A85X (Hudson D4) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009O7YZ7O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

AMD A4-5300 APU 3.4Ghz Processor AD5300OKHJBOX
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095VPBM2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

LG Electronics 12x SATA Blu-Ray Disc Combo Internal Drive with 3D Playback and M-DISC (Black) UH12NS29
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008G9V60K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory (CMV4GX3M2A1333C9)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TISFCG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive - WD5000AAKX
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00461G3MS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (OEM) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1371532115&sr=1-2&keywords=windows+7

Do you need to buy OS: Yes - Windows 7 preferred for compatibility with Blu-ray players and several plug-ins for XBMC

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.com, Newegg.com

Location: NY, NY

Parts Preferences: No preferences

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: TV (1920x1080)

Additional Comments: Focus purely on media and price

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: TWC is the devil.
 
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assasin32

assasin32

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Apr 23, 2008
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A4-5300 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($47.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($18.89 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($18.89 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.23 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($37.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $375.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-18 02:05 EDT-0400)

I just did a full build, take out what you don't need. Also you don't need a A85 chipset, a A55 will work for you. You can look up the differences on what the chipsets do but short version which is relevant to you A55 sata 2.0 (a good SSD will max this out), A75 max 6x sata III, A85 max 8x sata III and crossfire

You also might want to look into a toughpad keyboard I think it go great with a HTPC. And honestly I think Win8 interface would probably serve a HTPC better than Win7.

Example of keyboard.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Multi-Touch-920-003070/dp/B005DKZTMG/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0

EDITED IN:
Also I put in that 1tb drive there in as it read/writes faster than what you have.

And a good portion of the GPU performance comes from how good the memory is, so I used that particular set of ram. Though only 4gb worth as I am assuming your doing some low performance gaming through your emulators such as nintendo, sega, etc.
 
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