Double Checking Specs for New Budget(ish) HTPC

zethus

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Feb 16, 2010
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Hey guys: this is my first time building a HTPC. I have two options that I'm choosing from right now. I'm trying to keep in mind that I'll be using a Sharp 42" HDTV at 1920x1080 as the display. In general, I will be doing office-type work, youtube, watching 1080/720 videos from my HDD, hulu, etc. I'm also a semi-avid gamer- will be playing ffxiv on release. Would like to play most games at decent-high settings at a decent resolution.

* Purchasing from Newegg/Tigerdirect *
* Purchasing ASAP *


Build 1: A bit pricier, but better upgradability for later
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA770T
RAM: OCZ AMD Black 4GB DDR3 1600 (2x2GB)
HDD: 1TB WD Caviar Black
Case: Rosewill Challenger (can probably cut down)
PSU: Rosewill Green 630W (can probably cut down)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 4850
Fan/Heatsink: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 PRO
Optical: LiteOn DVDRW
Input: Logitech Cordless EX Keyboard + Mouse (any other suggestions?)
Cost: ~705$ w/ shipping, AR


Build 2: Lower cost... would like for it to be even cheaper without hurting performance TOO bad...
CPU: Athlon II X4 640
Mobo: ASUS M4A77TD
RAM: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB DDR2800 (2x2GB)
HDD: 1TB WD Caviar Black
Case: Logysis 10-Bay SOHO Mid-ATX
PSU: 480W included with case
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 4850
Fan/Heatsink: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 PRO
Optical: LiteOn DVDRW
Input: Logitech Cordless EX Keyboard + Mouse (any other suggestions?)Cost: ~600$ w/ shipping, AR

Given these specs, can anyone give me any tips, comments, or suggestions? Money isn't TOO bad of an issue, although I would love for the machine to be sub-700$, or even sub-600$ with enough upgradability in the next year or two as far as GPU and Memory goes. I don't know much about the cooling unit and how it would fit in a mid-atx tower... and i know nothing about keyboards/mice. Thanks!
 
^ Its not a good idea to skimp on the quality of the PSU...
And check out this config -
CPU
Athlon II X3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724

Mobo
Any of the above that you have chosen and also check this one too...
ASRock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

HDD - Why not get a 500GB HDD for now ?
Samsung F3 500GB/ Seagate 7200.12 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Graphics card -
HD 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211410

CASE - Any cheapo case

PSU - A good quality one
OCZ 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Total - ~$550 And the performance difference between the X3 720 and the X3 435 is very less...
 
I see no reason why you need a 4850 (or 5770 lol) for an htpc. You should be looking at an efficient low power platform.

A good G41 or 785G with onboard graphics and a dual core processor would be enough I would think, even if not, a cheap video card would be fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.338825&nm_mc=LEMC-IGNEFL021210&cm_mmc=LEMC-IGNEFL021210-_-Combo-_-LM1A-_-Combo338825

This is a great motherboard and a 45nm Wolfdale Celeron dual core (basically a E5200 with less cache)

The integrated GPU suggested would not meet his needs of being able to "play most games at decent-high settings at a decent resolution."

I like Gkay's suggestions, except I'm not crazy about that ASRock board. Here's a nice combo deal to consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.334991 $144.98 - $10 MIR (AMD Athlon II X3 435 + Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P combo)
 

zethus

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Feb 16, 2010
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I see no reason why you need a 4850 (or 5770 lol) for an htpc. You should be looking at an efficient low power platform.

Would onboard be enough to play games such as... Bioshock 2, Mass Effect, Arkham Asylum, etc.?

And my external 500GB is full already, and I want to store those files onto the internal.
 

zethus

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Feb 16, 2010
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Well mainly HTPC, but with moderate gaming I guess.... I guess my title is a bit misleading... but I'm going with so far:

CPU: Athlon II X3 435 Rana 144.98
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA-770T (incl. w/ cpu)
RAM: A-DATA 4GB (2x2GB DDR31333G) 96.99
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 89.99
CASE: Cooler Master ELITE 335 49.99
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W 69.99
GPU: Radeon 4850HD 99.99
FAN: ARCTIC Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 36.98
DVD: LiteOn DVD/RW 26.99

TOTAL (+SHIPPING, AR): 587.19$

Any other suggestions? Otherwise I think I'll order this tonight :)
 
@zipzoomflyhigh do read the post completely before replying @shortstuff_mt thanks for that...
And +1 for the HD 57xx and the HDDs...
If you want a cheaper without the rebates, then check the 512MB version of the 5770...Though the 1080p would be happy with the 1GB version, but even this one will be as good...
POWERCOLOR AX5770 512MD5-H Radeon HD 5770 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131328

And this case for $5 less, would be a good option and also you get 2 120MM fans and it does seem good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023