Build an HTPC/DVR/Gaming rig or just buy an Xbox One with the upgrades?

whitenack · Nov 23, 2015

Hi all,

My son is asking for an xbox for christmas. Actually, he is asking for an xbox 360 since he knows asking for a xbox one is way out of his price range for gifts.

I worry about the xbox 360 quickly becoming obsolete, and I see there are several things about the xbox one that I might be interested in (replacing the old dvd player, replacing the streaming player, replacing the old tivo), so I initially thought about combining my gift request with him and get an xbox one.

However, I have experience with building PCs and always considered building an HTPC. The question I have is whether you can build an HTPC that can handle DVR and gaming functionality as cheaply as an xbox one with the extras it for DVR functionality? Say, something around $500?

Wolfshadw · Nov 23, 2015

Depends on your TV source. Free Over-The-Air (OTA) broadcasts, maybe. Cable or Satellite, no (but still recommended).

-Wolf sends

whitenack · Nov 23, 2015

Wolfshadw :

We currently have OTA broadcasts, supplemented with streaming video online. Considering adding SlingTV.

Wolfshadw · Nov 23, 2015

Any chance you can stretch your budget a bit?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($44.33 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($37.90 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Other: SiliconDust HDHR4-2US HDHomeRun CONNECT ($80.00)
Total: $512.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-23 17:19 EST-0500

-Wolf sends

whitenack · Nov 23, 2015

Wolfshadw :

I guess that's the question. How stretchy would I need to get? I've seen some recommended builds that are in the $1000 range. That would be too stretchy, considering the Xbox One is around $350 and adding the DVR functionality wouldn't cost more than $100 or so.

why_wolf · Nov 23, 2015

The prices on the xbox one are very cheap, especially since there are multiple bundles out right now that include one or more games. Good games too. If you do get your son an xbox get the new one, the 360 is dead and you'll probably see the game publishers stop releasing new games for it over the course of next year.

As for the DVR functionality. It does not exist yet, however all the pieces are there for it. (People keep saying it has DVR because it can pause live TV but this is only a rolling 30 minute window not a save and watch it later feature). Unless they go crazy I suspect they'll probably role it out next summer. That said you won't see it for cable TV as that's an entirely different problem (cable cards) that's just not worth the headache for Microsoft. So you won't be able to replace your Tivo right out of the box.

Side not the OTA TV tuner is extra and is single channel so if you've got a multi channel Tivo it would be a step down for you. http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-Digital-Tuners-Capture-1578/dp/B00XF7Z5DM

logainofhades · Nov 23, 2015

Don't need a $1k PC, for what you are wanting, gaming wise. An i3, with a GTX 950, would provide better gaming performance, than an Xbox One. You do need to stretch beyond $500 though. Not familiar with capture cards, for your DVR needs, so I will leave that to more knowledgeable people, to recommend. Ignore the PCpartpicker warnings. they are incorrect, in this instance.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($50.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Mushkin ECO2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Zalman ZM-T1 PLUS MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($33.98 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $542.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-23 18:05 EST-0500

whitenack · Nov 23, 2015

Thanks for the heads up on the DVR functionality not being available yet. I thought it was opened up during this most recent update a few days ago.

I agree with you on the 360 being past its prime. I don't like to spend more money than i have to, but if I am going to spend money I want it to last (hence still using an old DVD player and TiVo).

whitenack · Nov 23, 2015

logainofhades :

Thanks for the list logainofhades. I feel more comfortable working through the DVR requirements, its just the gaming specs that I don't know enough about. I can use your list as a starting point, add the DVR hardware and then see where the total build cost will fall. Then make a decision as to whether it is worth spending the extra money over that of the xbox.

Wolfshadw · Nov 23, 2015

whitenack :

Wolfshadw :

I guess that's the question. How stretchy would I need to get? I've seen some recommended builds that are in the $1000 range. That would be too stretchy, considering the Xbox One is around $350 and adding the DVR functionality wouldn't cost more than $100 or so.

Your budget: $500
My Build (with DVR): $513
How Stretchy: $13

-Wolf sends

whitenack · Nov 23, 2015

Oops. I misunderstood your post. I thought you were saying that $513 wouldn't buy much since it didn't have a video card.

So you think this system is fast enough to run games and stream video?

Wolfshadw · Nov 24, 2015

Apologies. The gaming part got lost in translation there somewhere. With that in mind, I'd probably recommend Logainofhades' build with the $80 SiliconDust HDHomeRun Connect added for DVR functionality.

-Wolf sends

whitenack · Nov 24, 2015

Wolfshadw :

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So, looks like I can build a decent gaming rig for close to $600 when you factor in adding a game controller (to make things apples-to-apples with an Xbox). And I guess I would need a wireless mouse and keyboard. The DVR add-on will be the same expense for either the HTPC or the Xbox, so that is a wash.

The question, then, is whether it is worth it to pay the extra $250 for an HTPC? Is an HTPC that much better than an Xbox? And from a gaming standpoint, PC vs Xbox? I know the a PC can handle the graphics much better than consoles, but whether or not it has the games that a 10 year old would be satisfied with.

why_wolf · Nov 24, 2015

Another question you should be asking is do your sons friends have Xboxs already? If they do and you get your son something else that means he can't play online with them. Which may or may not be a big deal to him.

And of course an Xbox is simply easier to manage, especially if multiple people are going to be messing around with it, than an HTPC.

Side note I keep forgetting the X1 has an HDMI pass through. You could keep using your Tivo and pass it though the Xbox. You'll have to check how well the control functionality works for that though as its unlikely to be 100%.

whitenack · Nov 24, 2015

why_wolf :

He has a good friend that has a XB360, and I'm sure he hears about Xbox from other friends at school, but playing online with friends is not a big deal to him. Yes, there is some concern that even if I build him a perfectly capable gaming PC that can run all the games he is interested in, there may still be disappointment that it wasn't an Xbox. In my mind, if you aren't missing out on any of the functionality of an Xbox and are able to play all the games you are interested in, then what difference does it make. But, who knows how a 10 year old thinks.

The XB1 has some neat features. The HDMI pass through, as you mention, is very nice. That could save money on the DVR card. I also like the feature that the XB1 can stream a game to any Win10 device, so if the TV was in use, my son could play from the computer. However, thinking "out loud", I wonder if that means the rest of the Xbox is not accessible either. If I have everything (TV, DVR, Netflix, etc.) running through the Xbox, that wouldn't help.

Being easier to manage is another advantage. The fact that the XB is ready to go and doesn't require as much tech IQ would allow others in the family to enjoy it better than if they have to call me in just to start Netflix.

Hmmm... things to think about.

whitenack · Nov 25, 2015

Here's another thought. Would there be any benefit to building a lower-end htpc and use my existing pc to stream the games using steam? Sorry if this is an elementary question, I don't have much experience with gaming.

Here is my current setup. I have since updated to Win10. I guess I would need a GPU of some sort to improve the graphics quality?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Phmp99
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Phmp99/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Pareema 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($72.57 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.24 @ Mac Mall)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($39.26 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($119.98 @ OutletPC)

I guess it may still be a wash, cost-wise, to build a budget HTPC and then add a GPU to my current PC? I guess the only savings may come if I can get by with not having to get a GPU?

logainofhades · Nov 25, 2015

You would need a PSU and a GPU, for that build.

whitenack · Nov 25, 2015

logainofhades :

Hey logainofhades, that is a parts list for a machine I have already built (It has a PSU but no GPU). As I mentioned in the post, I have this machine already, and wondered if it could be used to do the "heavy-lifting" on the games and just build a budget HTPC for streaming the game from this machine and then the rest of the HTPC needs.

logainofhades · Nov 25, 2015

I said it needs a PSU also, as it isn't really a very good one, for a gaming rig. You could still use it in the HTPC, though.

why_wolf · Nov 25, 2015

Per your question about a lower end HTPC. You could go super cheap and just buy a Steam Link http://store.steampowered.com/app/353380/

You won't get any additional HTPC functions out of it, not even Netflix, but you can stream your Steam games to it with limited hassle. Probably the absolute cheapest thing you could do. But it would mean one more thing plugged into your TV. Not to mention when you stream a game from Steam the source PC is basically locked down so nobody else can use it without ending the stream.

whitenack · Nov 25, 2015

logainofhades :

Ah, I see. Sorry, misunderstood. Hadn't thought about the PSU needing an upgrade. Are you talking about just the wattage, or is the quality not very good either? That PSU is not modular, so replacing it ups the aggravation level somewhat.

What sort of build could I get by with for steam streaming?

whitenack · Nov 25, 2015

why_wolf :

Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, I think the only way this htpc idea would be acceptable would be if it could replace all the existing hardware, not add to it.

Streaming steam the source PC is locked down... I assume that is the case regardless of the setup (streaming to a Steam Link vs any HTPC)? If so, that is a problem.

why_wolf · Nov 25, 2015

whitenack :

Yes, streaming the game from any device to another device locks down the source device. This goes for the X1 to PC streaming as well. At the end of the day all its doing is sending a screen capture of the source to the remote player. So if someone came in and started clicking around on the source the image would change to what ever they were clicking on, if it let them do that. So kind of a problem if its coming from a device that more than one person wants to use at a time.

Sounds like whatever you choose you'll have to compromise on something.

logainofhades · Nov 25, 2015

whitenack :

Wattage would be ok, with up to a GTX 950, but the quality is not very good.

Build an HTPC/DVR/Gaming rig or just buy an Xbox One with the upgrades?

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