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Looking to build a HTPC/gaming system limit $1,000

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Looking to build a HTPC/gaming system limit $1,000

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Hi guys, first post here...thanks in advance for any advice. I've built PCs for years but never an HTPC yet.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next month
BUDGET: $1,000 MAX..prefer approx 650 (without any monitor of course)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Watching movies/TV shows off media center>gaming=keeping multiple firefox/chrome windows open with minimal lag

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, hard drive

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, anything reputable really

PARTS PREFERENCES: I don't care about AMD vs Intel--I do want a nice looking case that is QUIET

OVERCLOCKING: only if its easy (OC virgin) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Current monitor is max 1680x1050. TV is PDP-5020FD--IDK if that can go higher?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like quiet PC with a remote control. I like that case they reviewed recently that looked like an old record player, but I could go for something that would look good next to a receiver, blu ray player etc as well.

Also would consider buying small SSD HD if it made booting up / everything that much quicker.
Thanks again!

Message edited by motamedn on 10-14-2009 at 12:59:54 AM

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Don't bother with an SSD to get quick boot times. A properly setup HTPC uses S3 mode and therefore turns on in about 2 seconds with a standard HDD.

What budget are you looking at for just the case?

Reply to rwpritchett

honestly, i don't know. i just know i want to spend in the 650-1000 ballpark total. The case doesn't have to be killer it just has to pass the wife test-

Reply to motamedn

Here's what I recently built (HTPC):

AMD Athlon II Regor 240 - $60 or less
780G or 785G motherboard with HDMI ($60 ish)
Decent RAM - probably could do with 2GB, but 4GB will set you back $50-$60.
Optical Drive - $25-30 (more if you want BluRay).
HDD - $50-$100 - depends on size and specs (I went 750GB Green because it was on sale, and will be quiet)

I bought the Antec FusionRemote 350 (includes the 350w PSU)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ntec%20350

I think I did my build for well under $300 (OS not included). It'll play HD content and pass audio through HDMI. It works perfectly for my needs.

I'd avoid the SSD for booting as advised. For me, that's not a necessary cost.

If you want to go with a more expensive config, check out the tiers on avsforums for help:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/sho [...] st14239742

------------------------------ Antec 900, MSI P7N Diamond, E8400,
4 GB (2 x 2GB) Crucial Ballistix 4-4-4-12, 8800 GTS 512 SLI
Reply to huron

should i add in some SLI for games?

Reply to motamedn

You can't "add in some SLI" on an 785G motherboard. SLI means using more than one Nvidia GPU. There are only a few AMD motherboards that support SLI and they aren't worth buying.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

sry meant crossfire..

Reply to motamedn

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Looking to build a HTPC/gaming system limit $1,000