I'm looking to build a very low budget HTPC over the holidays, and I can use some help as I've not built a HTPC, only gaming or everyday use computers, and not that many of those either.
First and foremost, I'd like this to be cheap and energy efficient. I don't want the power bill to be affected by more than a few dollars a month, so it won't be on 24/7, just when I'm going to use it. I'd also like for it to be expandable in the future (adding more drives, a TV tuner, whatever is needed). I'll most likely be reusing a case, or just buying a new decent tower case for my main computer and using it's old Antec LanBoy for the HTPC case. This computer will be going in the family room, and will have internet access, as well at antenna access (I currently have DirecTV) at some point in the future.
I'd really just like it to be able to access files and folders off my main computer to play audio and video files from it and display them on the big screen or be able to hear them on my stereo. I'd also like to be able to surf the net with the big screen as the computer monitor on sites like hulu. I'd also like to be able to use it to watch games on ESPN 360 or similar services (kinda the main idea with college basketball coming up).
As I've always been a Intel guy, I was going to stick with it. I was also thinking about simply upgrading from my current E2160 on my man computer to a E5200 or something and using the E2160 for the HTPC, and maybe do something similar with the mobo. I already have 2 GB of DDR2, an old 8600GT (most likely overkill for what it will be used for). So that, a new HD, a DVD drive, and an OS. What else might I need to get for such a project?
Thanks for any help you might be able to lend me.
First and foremost, I'd like this to be cheap and energy efficient. I don't want the power bill to be affected by more than a few dollars a month, so it won't be on 24/7, just when I'm going to use it. I'd also like for it to be expandable in the future (adding more drives, a TV tuner, whatever is needed). I'll most likely be reusing a case, or just buying a new decent tower case for my main computer and using it's old Antec LanBoy for the HTPC case. This computer will be going in the family room, and will have internet access, as well at antenna access (I currently have DirecTV) at some point in the future.
I'd really just like it to be able to access files and folders off my main computer to play audio and video files from it and display them on the big screen or be able to hear them on my stereo. I'd also like to be able to surf the net with the big screen as the computer monitor on sites like hulu. I'd also like to be able to use it to watch games on ESPN 360 or similar services (kinda the main idea with college basketball coming up).
As I've always been a Intel guy, I was going to stick with it. I was also thinking about simply upgrading from my current E2160 on my man computer to a E5200 or something and using the E2160 for the HTPC, and maybe do something similar with the mobo. I already have 2 GB of DDR2, an old 8600GT (most likely overkill for what it will be used for). So that, a new HD, a DVD drive, and an OS. What else might I need to get for such a project?
Thanks for any help you might be able to lend me.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram