HTPC Build which can output 4k, bluray 3D, and 7.1 sound under $600

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abcerdy

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I am working on building a HTPC and need some guidance.

Can someone suggest a build for me which can output 4k, bluray 3D, and 7.1 sound? I have a limited budget, so please try and make this build as cheap as possible. Max around 600 $.

Thanks in advance!
 
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I'm thinking (and a bit of reading) that you'll need a Haswell based setup (perhaps one of the dual core G3400 series) and a low power Radeon like the R7-250.

So:
Haswell Pentium G3420
MSI B85M-ITX Board
Antec ISK600 case
XFX Radeon R7-250 - specifically the R7-250A-ZLH4 which is a passive cooled unit (silent)

That would be the core of it. Some accessories would be needed but I can see a build in the $400 range easily with that setup.
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Rookie_MIB

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I'm thinking (and a bit of reading) that you'll need a Haswell based setup (perhaps one of the dual core G3400 series) and a low power Radeon like the R7-250.

So:
Haswell Pentium G3420
MSI B85M-ITX Board
Antec ISK600 case
XFX Radeon R7-250 - specifically the R7-250A-ZLH4 which is a passive cooled unit (silent)

That would be the core of it. Some accessories would be needed but I can see a build in the $400 range easily with that setup.
 
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AcostaJA

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Mac mini (no joke, actually its what I'm doing) 500$.

Current Mac mini support 4K@30fps, has optical output (need a toslink adapter), includes IRDA receiver (for Apple's remore but you can use some universal remote that mimic apple), its stock HDD is slow as hell so consider to upgrade to 1TB model or hybrid, dont care on GPU/RAM its far enough the base model (i5@1.4/2.8ghz), and run full XBMC, Netflix, Etc and its virus proof, plus you can install OS/X server on it and twice as TimeMachine target and lots of extra functions.

Drawback: you need an external blueray, if yoy get base model the included HDD is slow, I upgraded mine with an 7200 rpm 1TB before purchase.

Other option its an Zotac Zbox EN760, loaded with linux/windows, good also for gaming, another is the Zotac EI730, both you need HDD and RAM.
 
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AcostaJA

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If you already have a Case with Blueray, get an haswell capable motherboard (Intel H87) add an i3-4150 plus an Zotac GeForce GTX 750 nVidia, for a total less than 350$, add 4GB Ram (50$), an descent HDD (70$) and some BD (80$).
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

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It's still too early :D
But, things will likely change with the release of the Carrizo APU in 1H-2015. We hope.

And, jeez, guys. You need DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2 for 4K output above 24fps.

AMD A8-7600 Kaveri: $98
Gigabyte GA-F2A88X-UP4 FM2+: $100 before $15 rebate
PowerDVD 14 Ultra: $55

The Gigabyte motherboard has a DP 1.2 output, and PowerDVD (using OpenCL on the Kaveri CUs) serves-up H.265 HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec). HEVC provides superior video quality and up to twice the data compression as H.264/MPEG-4 AVC. This will handle both 4Kp30 and 4Kp60.

The next-gen Carrizo will likely incorporate the latest UVD (Universal Video Decoder), True Audio DSP, and Graphics Core Next foundation found in the Tonga GPU (R9 285). It is hoped that the new APU (which should drop-in that Gigabyte motherboard) will incorporate HEVC support in the hardware UVD.

Otherwise, 'hybrid' designs which combine software/hardware solutions are all yah got.

 
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abcerdy

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Thanks! Great solution.
 
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abcerdy

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Can you name all the components needed, except for os/mouse/keyboard/monitor? Seeing as you've been a great help.
 
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