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Looking to build a Budget HTPC! Need help picking parts.

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  • Cases
  • Optical Media
  • Build
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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August 5, 2014 3:47:55 AM

Hi there! As the title says I'm looking to build a budget HTPC for under $400 I know this seems like some what of a difficult feat but let me give you some details... I plan to only buy parts on sale (except maybe the case). I dont need or want an optical drive of any sort... I do not need a large HDD. I do not need to buy a OS I have a windows 8.1 already purchased from awhile ago.

So mainly I need a case, SSD, motherboard, CPU, RAM, PSU (if the case doesn't have one built in). Maybe some stuff for cooling silent fans ect. (would also be nice if it had a PCIex1 slot for an internal AC wireless adapter)

I want the machine to be capable of running Plex Home Theatre through HDMI and be able to play back the majority if not all the sound that Plex throws at it MP3, AAC, Dolby Digital, AC3, DTS, TrueHD and DTS-MA. Also be able to play back 1080 bluray video with out a problem.

Doesn't have to be able to play video games or anything it wont really be used for such a thing.

I have one last request, that if at all possible use

http://www.memoryexpress.com/
(they also have alot of parts on sale to pick from like I stated above as a goal)

to find a link the parts. They have storefronts near me and have the best warranty for such things I have ever seen from a store in my life! I do understand they dont have as much of a selection as say newegg but if at all possible try to find the closest equivalent. They do not have a large selection of HTPC cases so I wouldn't mind getting that from some where else if need be.

More about : build budget htpc picking parts

August 5, 2014 3:56:36 AM

SSD? In a $400 build? What about a HDD to hold movies?

Try -

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 260X 1GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 311 (Silver) ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $446.22
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August 5, 2014 3:59:50 AM

Doesn't need to hold movies I have Plex Media Server running off a high end server computer in my house. just wanted a small SSD to boot up quickly doesnt need to be large at all just large enough for a OS and Plex home theatre program
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August 5, 2014 4:16:59 AM

Well you could add a 120gb ssd or replace the 1tb with one.

And add a bluray player

The cpu/mobo, ram and graphics card is more than enough.
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August 5, 2014 5:34:32 AM

Anyone else have a suggestion?
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August 5, 2014 9:05:26 AM

Or even just helpful links of similar builds would be nice....
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August 5, 2014 3:45:56 PM

For such a small case try -

CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-DS2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($70.82 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone GD06B HTPC Case ($127.96 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $453.73
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!