First Time HTPC Build

[CanadaMints]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Whenever I have everything picked out.

BUDGET RANGE: $600 give or take

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HD DVR and HD playback, streaming from Hulu and others (no gaming)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need everything except a monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, Amazon.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: not sure, it is a 50" 720P plasma TV

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

I would like it to be quiet and easy to use for the wife. I have read good things about WIN7 MCE, that is why I chose the OP system.

I have built several computers (all gaming), but never an HTPC. I'd appreciate any feedback.

I want to be able to record OTA channels in HD - and play them back in HD.

I'll add a Blu-Ray player later (maybe).


CASE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231
APEVIA Black SECC Steel / Aluminum X-MASTER-BK/500 ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
$70+$20

PS
I will use the 500W PS included with the case.

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor - Retail
$87+$6

MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$80

MEMORY
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$50+$3

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152102&cm_re=SAMSUNG_Spinpoint_F1_HD103UJ_1TB_7200_RPM_32MB_Cac-_-22-152-102-_-Product
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
$85

GPU
Use onboard video

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032&cm_re=Sony_Optiarc_Black_24X_DVD_burner_SATA-_-27-118-032-_-Product
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD burner SATA
$31+$7

OS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116752
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

bundled with:

TV Tuner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116036
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213 PCI-Express x1 Interface

is $240 on newegg.


Any suggestions for a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?

Better yet how about a remote (so it will be easier for the wife)?

Adds up to about $677 (without a mouse/KB or a remote)

Thanks for any help.

 

[p55ibexpeak]

Generally, your specs look good except for the bundled PSU. Get a separate case & psu:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007%201054808290&name=MicroATX%20Mid%20Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007%201054808292&name=MicroATX%20Desktop

This one fits the usage, and is ATX ready.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119205

PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Wireless keyb/mouse combos:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000063&Description=wireless%20keyboard%20mouse&name=Keyboards&ActiveSearchResult=False

The Hauppauge tuner comes with a remote. Use that.

 

[rwpritchett]

The TV tuner you selected comes with a remote, so no worries there.

Dump the Samsung F1 and get the F3 instead. It's newer tech, faster, quieter, cooler, and the same price if you can find it in stock.

Aprevia PSU's are junk, but may be fine for HTPC use since you don't need a lot of power (and if it's quiet enough).

 

[CanadaMints]

Great thanks for the info p55ibexpeak and rwpritchett.

I added the 400W Corsair PS you linked.

Changed the HDD - since the F3 was out of stock I chose a 750 MB WD caviar black.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$80

The case I have selected has a combo deal with a wireless keyboard so I just selected that one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823176018
IOGEAR GKM561R Black 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel - Retail

I swapped out the DVD burner for a Blu-Ray player.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136162
LG Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray Reader & 16X LightScribe DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
$100


I'll probably order this up tomorrow night. Spending a bit more than I initially wanted to (~$800 vs ~$600) but I don't see anything I want to cut.

Any other thoughts?

Again thanks for the help.

 

[p55ibexpeak]

Perfect.