**** Budget HTPC Build Advice

[randcat]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: just budgeting now, trying to figure out what I can get

BUDGET RANGE: $400 - $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: watching movies and television, surfing the internet, some gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor (will be using my tv), HDD (have an old 250 Gb drive from desktop I could possibly use)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Dallas, Texas, USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Would like a mediacenter keyboard

OVERCLOCKING: no
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Prefer Windows Vista, I would like a quiet PC, I also want something that I can upgrade later when I get more $$.

 

[batuchka]

Hmm well i have a HTPC in my place and i am happy with the cheap RF wireless KB+Mouse combo i got but my LCD TV is about 10 feet away so it depends on what sort of range u are looking at for your set up hehe Perhaps a nice little 'nest' primed and ready for a gaming class GPU? That mobo has SPDIF/Optical out so may come in handy depending on your audio set up as well ^^
Suggested config: $391 AR about $497AR with Win 7 HP 64 included ^^

 

[aethm]

Shuttle Barebone, has some nice features like DD Live. $199

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4042923&CatId=3508

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor $55

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103714

Blu-Ray Player $89

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000598&Description=blu%20ray&name=Blu-Ray%20Drives&ActiveSearchResult=True

or

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5023038&CatId=3634

2 GB Memory $38

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526

Windows 7 $100

Total= $481

You get Blu-Ray, HD, DD Live, and crappy but possible gaming.