Building an HTPC, looking for advice

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
F

fitztho

Honorable
Dec 26, 2013
5
0
10,510
I'm looking to build an HTPC. This will primarily be used for video, maybe some light gaming if all goes well. I'm working on putting the build together now, and I wanted to get some opinions before I start.

I would like to keep the box under $500. I'm at or around $350 on PCPartsPicker, but there are still some components missing such as a TV Tuner and remote control.

So far, here is my build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($55.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.24 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($67.80 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $355.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 13:09 EDT-0400

I wanted to know if anything here is overkill/underkill, poor quality, or if you have experience that tells you it won't go together well. If you have suggestions for the existing components or for TV Tuners/remote control setups, please feel free.
 
Solution
B
If considering a GTX 750 ti, here is one that is low profile so that you could use the silverstone case.
http://www.amazon.com/Zotac-Computer-Video-Graphics-ZT-70702-10M/dp/B00JB1XJ4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411758987&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx+750+ti+low+profile

This card + even a pentium g3258 which is only $60 will beat out that A6 all day long, and if you ever do want to upgrade CPU, you can do it without having to buy a new motheboard.

If you were not wanting to game at this time and just use it for movies then pentium's integrated graphics would handle 1080p video like a champ.
Sort by date Sort by votes
I

Imon750

Reputable
Apr 2, 2014
114
0
4,710
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500343&ignorebbr=1

ZOTAC ZT-71102-10L GeForce GT 730 1GB 64-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 (x8 lanes) HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card


This is a worthy addition to the HTPC system and would guarantee at least 720P gaming at medium details and moderate frame rates
All of the rest, are quite well planned and figured items. I would congratulate you on making this cute little build. Good job.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
logainofhades

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Apr 27, 2009
37,552
3,221
143,290
The A6 isn't a very good chip. If you want to stick with IGP, I would look at an A10, for light gaming. Otherwise, maybe something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($68.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 730 1GB Video Card ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($55.89 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $485.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 13:36 EDT-0400

or

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($68.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 730 1GB Video Card ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($55.89 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $446.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 13:37 EDT-0400
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
F

fitztho

Honorable
Dec 26, 2013
5
0
10,510


As someone who doesn't have extensive knowledge of the processor world, can you explain what makes the A6 worse than an i3, at least to the point where it would justify an extra $40 for the build (plus extra for changing the mobo) to "upgrade" to the intel processor? Also, if you look at my original specs, you notice I don't have a dedicated GPU, which would again add an extra cost. If it is worth the money, then I will definitely upgrade, but I sometimes see a lot of chip bipartisanship going on this site, so I'm never sure if suggestions on processor are one of fact or of personal preference.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
sadams04

sadams04

Splendid
Nov 23, 2010
4,711
1
26,960
An i3 or Pentium dual core would fit the bill better than the APU. This is ONLY because you want to consider doing light gaming. If you just wanted an HTPC, then any new build would be perfectly fine. The build below sports a GTX 750 Ti and Pentium G3258. Both very capable and would serve you well. For a PSU, skip the Corsiar CX / CS / Builder lines. in fact... just look toward XFX or Seasonic for a power supply. How does the build below strike you?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX/WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $521.92
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
logainofhades

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Apr 27, 2009
37,552
3,221
143,290


The A6 is a weak processor. I am talking weaker than an old phenom II x2 weak. Even the Pentium G would be substantially better cpu. If you want an APU look at an A8 or A10. Preferably the A10, since you mentioned light gaming. If you were not going to game at all, I would have recommended a low power Kabini 5350 based build, as they are excellent little HTPC chips.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

boosted1g

Titan
Jun 12, 2013
14,846
8
74,965
The A6/A8/A10 serries CPUs are ok for very budget limited builds where you want to game but never plan on adding a descrete grpahics card. Outside of that window, it is a lowsy CPU. AMD increased onboard video graphics at the cost of CPU performance, and your result is a cpu that is slower/weaker then both the i3 and the pentium g3258 listed above. When you ever want to upgrade, the BEST cpu availible for that FM2 board is not as good as a medium end i5 and will be bottlenecked by even a medium end GPU card. I get that you are not ever planning to use this machine to do ultra setting, high fps gaming; nevertheless the upgrade potential is very limited and that prevents me from recomending it.

The CX series PSUs have lower quality capacitors in it then higher level psus. If you run a 300 watt computer on it, it should last just fine. If you pull 400w from it often, its probability of premature failure goes up much more then the XFX or seasonic does.

The 750ti gpu is a pretty decent gpu for light gaming, but I dont think they will fit the low profile needs of the silverstone (I use that exact case in my LR HTPC). The 750ti only needs 300w psu so you could still use the CX if we wished,the XFX is no doubt better or even an Antec Earthwatts, but the CX should till be fine.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

boosted1g

Titan
Jun 12, 2013
14,846
8
74,965
If considering a GTX 750 ti, here is one that is low profile so that you could use the silverstone case.
http://www.amazon.com/Zotac-Computer-Video-Graphics-ZT-70702-10M/dp/B00JB1XJ4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411758987&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx+750+ti+low+profile

This card + even a pentium g3258 which is only $60 will beat out that A6 all day long, and if you ever do want to upgrade CPU, you can do it without having to buy a new motheboard.

If you were not wanting to game at this time and just use it for movies then pentium's integrated graphics would handle 1080p video like a champ.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom