Media Center Build

[big_BDS]

So building a new Media Center PC for my living room, needs to connect back to my server and be able to stream blue-ray 1080p so wireless N. also want to use it to replace my current DVR, think that i will have to go with an external converter because of lack of space (ATI all in wonder card is being discontinued). Not sure what the best way to do this so open to suggestion. budget is about $ 700 want to get most of the parts from newegg or micocenter. No OS is need will be running Win 7 and connecting to my TV.

Already have: Case and PSU

Parts:

MOBO and CPUL http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.357489
is a good combo and saves me $20

Blue-ray drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135205
Cheepest Blue-ray i could find and is asus so should be good quality

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148212

TV tuner: ?
thinking about Hauppauge but open any ideas

Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Keyboard and Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126039

 

[MadAdmiral]

Not a very good idea there. You'd get a much better build with this:

CPU/Mobo: i3-530 and Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H $200
RAM: A-DATA 2x2 GB DDR3 1333 $98
BR: Same $65
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 1 TB $90. Cheaper/GB, faster, quieter, cooler. Just plain better.

Total: $453. The i3s are perfet for HTPCs, and are on a current socket. They're also much more capable of playing true HD content than older integrated graphics.

That leaves room for everything else, but I have something to add about using TV Tuners, but I can't really help you with the exact model. If you have cable or sattelite, you will not be able to use TV tuners. The TV tuners are for over-the-air transmissions. Once you add the complexity of a cable or sat signal, they don't work. You would be better off keeping the DVR for that. Typically, you'll need to talk with your service provider about getting a card to use with their system. I don't know if you'll need to pay a monthly fee for it or not, but it would be likely be easier to keep the DVR for recording shows.

 

[big_BDS]

the problem is that this will not fit the case that I already have ITX vs Micro ATX, would love to go with an I3 or I5 like this one but I cant find any. Also with this there is no witless built into the board so would be an extra $ and more power on the 250 Watt PSU which I'm already worried about not providing enough juice. thanks for trying.

and to provide a little bit more info I have Comcast Cable and will be running though that.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

A Micro ATX motherboard will fit in a full-size ATX case, just not the other way around.

You will only get unencrypted QAM channels through Comcast with a TV tuner and no set-top box. You will not get any premium channels.

 

[ButterFinger74]

The OP has a mini-ITX case, not a ATX case. Newegg sells a few mini-ITX socket 1156 motherboard that you might consider. shortstuff_mt is correct on the unencrypted QAM channels. You will not get any premium channels with ATSC/QAM tuner on the market (I got plenty of channels with Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 dual QAM tuner but non of them are Premium channels) You might want to wait for the Ceton quad CableCARD tuner to come out and get a cablecard from comcast if you must have premium channels on your HTPC.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Didn't notice the ITX.

Here's an mITX board: Intel BOXDH57JG $125.

Also, there aren't going to be many boards with built in wireless. You'd be better off finding a good board without it, and buying an expansion card for it. They usually only run about $30.

Regardless, you do not want to be building with the LGA775 socket. Either go with an i3 build or switch to an AMD build. You would likely save more with an AM3 build...

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Sorry about the ITX/Mini-ITX mis-information. My work is now blocking direct Newegg links, so I couldn't see what case/PSU the OP had. Here's a nice Zotac mini-ITX LGA 1156 board with wireless, but it's currently out of stock.

ZOTAC H55ITX-A-E LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Mini ITX Intel Motherboard - Retail $144.99

 

[big_BDS]

YEP would love to get that 1156 MoBo but looking to buy soon and as you have said is out of stock

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The motherboard is currently in stock if you haven't bought your components yet.