Would like to build a HTPC

[dookeran_3]

Hi,

I'm wanting to build an mATX HTPC as my Christmas present to myself. Have been considering this for a while, and with all of the Boxing Day sales fast approching, I thought that I would begin to piece this together. I'm going to be strictly using this for music/ internet TV/ internet surfing/ DVD and Blue-Ray. I would also install Windows 7. Would use onboard graphics, but have read conflicting opinions on weather ATI or Nvidia is a better choice for this application. Also would need LAN and HDMI ports. Would also like this to be energy efficient. Budget is about $500

Which is the best motherboard these days to use for this application in mATX?

AMD or Intel Chip?

 

[p55ibexpeak]

Is your budget Canadian?

Where do you shop for parts? newegg.ca, ncix.com, etc.

Are you going to use 1080p output?

For under $1000, AMD is what I recommend. If you go Intel, you are sticking to a "dead" platform that's LGA 775.

 

[dookeran_3]

yes.....$500 CDN not including OS. I've bought parts from all that you've listed and have no preference. 1080p option is nice to have for the future and would like that flexibility, but have a 720 plasma at the moment. Which mobo would you recommend for AMD with onboard video and which chip?

 

[p55ibexpeak]

The manual recommends a 350W or higher power supply. I strongly recommend a 400-500W with an efficiency rating of 80% or higher.

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=downloadfile&dno=9879&type=manual

My cart:
--
quantity of item 1


Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136317
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$84.99

select item 2 quantity of item 2


MSI 785GM-E51 AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

MSI 785GM-E51 AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813130247
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$89.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


FSP Group ATX350-PA 350W ATX 12V (v 2.2) Power Supply

FSP Group ATX350-PA 350W ATX 12V (v 2.2) Power Supply - OEM
Item #: N82E16817104901
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$31.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


GeIL Green Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model GG34GB1066C8DC

GeIL Green Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model GG34GB1066C8DC - Retail
Item #: N82E16820144361
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy



$91.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5


AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDX545WFGIBOX

AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDX545WFGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103694
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$96.99

Subtotal: $395.95
--

The price is higher than other similiar HTPC builds because you want energy efficiency which costs more money initially. You still have to pick out a ATX/MATX case.

http://www.newegg.ca/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=7&name=Computer-Cases