For those need help building a HTPC at low price

[rickpcnerd]

This what i have configure for those that need help building a dedicated HTPC , with the right hardware. This configure is not intended for hardcore gaming, but still could play today demanding games. This system comes with integrated graphics ATI 1250 AVIVO graphics (good enough to play todays demanding games), with HDMI output and ready to play HD DVD or Blue Ray Content, and integrated 7.1 sourround sound. Coms with AMD 4600, pretty fast for a HTPC and money saving. I recommend to set 500 gb hard drive into 2 partitions. Does not include a case, its up to you what case u want. Search all this hardware in www.bottomdollar.com
. Partition 1- 20 gb for windows
.Partition 2- set all music, videos, pictures, games, applications into this partition. This way windows will always run smooth in partition 1.


SAPPHIRE MB1013 AMD Motherboard $114.68
Geil Ultra Dual Channel 1GB PC2-6400 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit $94.36
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Dual Core Processor $122.76
WD Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive $134.77
LG Electronics GDR-8164BK DVD-ROM $24.92
ThermalTake Thermatalke TR2 W0070RUC 430W Power Supply $42.55
$534.00 w/tax and shipping

HDTV Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1600 TV Tuner $91.69 (ptional)
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic $87.00 (optional)

$621.00 with sound card w/tax and shipping

(optional)Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1600 TV Tuner $91.69
$625.00 w/tax and shipping

$712.73 w/ sound card and Tv Tuner

 

[alcattle]

I am trying to figure out what this system does. What do you need 500 gb for? All I see is a DVD player and decent stereo. You do not have a tuner card to capture TV. Are you going to add the HD-dvd and or Bluray players? I am thinking about building something but not sure What HTPC is.

 

[nickr336]

If I needed a computer like that, I would simply buy HP for $400 and save myself $250. Same performance. The only difference would be 250GB hard drive. As far as HD-DVD/BR players, those run $300 and up. So, that's out of the picture. And just like the previous post, I don't understand what this system is supposed to do. I have an LCD HDTV with Onkyo 6-disk DVD player and Onkyo 7.1 surround sound system. Very happy with this set up and don't need anything else at the moment.

 

[jaguarskx]

What do you need 500 gb for?

Audio/Video storage.

For my next HTPC I plan on have 1TB of storage for video and audio. It'll probably be RAID 1 setup so that means I'll have 500GB of storage.

 

[nh484000]

For my next HTPC I plan on have 1TB of storage for video and audio. It'll probably be RAID 1 setup so that means I'll have 500GB of storage.

If its in RAID 1 that means you only have 500gb there wont be 1tb of storage.

But I really think that motherboard and CPU are over kill for a HTPC. Even if you were doing some gaming it would be better to get a 3600+ for 75 and like a 60 dollar mobo. Take that other 100 dollars you saved there and get a 7600gs with HDMI out. (they do make them) That would be much better for gaming and general use.

I would then get the Corsair Value ram for 33$ for 512 mb. Get two sticks and save 30 bucks. Take that 30 dollars and put it to at TV tuner.

just my 2 cents

 

[jaguarskx]

For my next HTPC I plan on have 1TB of storage for video and audio. It'll probably be RAID 1 setup so that means I'll have 500GB of storage.

If its in RAID 1 that means you only have 500gb there wont be 1tb of storage.



Obviously you did not read the entire second sentence.

 

[nh484000]

Yeah i did, you just contradicted yourself in the second sentence.

 

[jaguarskx]

The first sentence implies no RAID setup at all so stating 1TB of storage is correct.

The second sentence states that I if setup a RAID 1 array then the storage will be cut in half or 500GB.

 

[nh484000]

Ha ok. I was just being a tool anyways.

 

[NewbieTechGodII]

HTPC = Home Theatre PC

HTPC is basically a tricked-out TiVo

 

[TyroneShoelaces]

Don't forget... no monthly fee either.

-TyShoe