HTPC $700 - $800 - Am I missing anything? Can I save?

snowgoer1998

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Aug 28, 2009
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next few weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: 95% HTPC and movie storage, 5% Internet use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need everything for this build (except TV/monitor)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Microcenter & Fry's (Both local) I will only go to these places if it makes $en$e - 8% sales tax - if it's a few buck difference, sure I'll go there

PARTS PREFERENCES: New

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 42" - 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've already "built" a system on Newegg...see below. I'm looking to store my DVD collection on this. I also have around a dozen Blu-Ray that would be priority #2 if space is still available on the HDD

Is there anywhere I could save money? Am I missing anything?

I've thought of a TV tuner, but I really don't need/want that...that's why I left it out.

Will the on-board graphics/audio be enough? Or should I pop for a 5450? I do not presently have any additional audio system that this will be connected to. The only audio will be through the HDMI connection through the TV.


CPU - MOBO Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.344675 - $130

BIOSTAR TA785G3HD AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
AMD Athlon II X3 425 Rana 2.7GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX425WFGIBOX - Retail

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163118 - $126 w/shipping

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / Steel LC10B-E ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - Retail

Blu-Ray Player: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325 - $69 w/shipping

LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Reader Model iHOS104-06 - OEM

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346 - $84

OCZ Gold

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium - $100

Keyboard/Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126032 - $50

Logitech

OS HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395 - $55

Seagate 500 GB 7200.12

Storage HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433 - $80

Seagate 1 TB 7200.12

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 - $40

Corsair 400 Watt



 
Solution
The integrated graphics on 785g boards are plenty for 1080p. The CPU is overkill for what you need, but is a nice chip.

I like smaller cases for my HTPCs, but that's a personal choice.

The budget is plenty - I think I did mine for around $400 (maybe less), but didn't need the OS, or the internal storage.

I don't think you need the 890 chipset for simple HTPC, but it is good for unlocking that extra core if you'd like.

Alvin Smith

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I don't have time to go over your entire build, just now, but I wanted to bump your thread back on top of the stack.

You budget is ample and you can prolly get better RAM cheaper ...
... Now that you are on "my threads", I will keep an eye on this build and get back to you.

= Cheers =
 

stope

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A dvd is like 4.5/9 gigs and a blue ray is something like 25/50 gigs (single/dual layer respectively for both).

Uploading your dvds to your computer is quite a process. Not sure if you've done it before but this could take a while depending on how many dvd's you have. May want to consider more exactly what this is going to entail before investing in massive amounts of storage.

If you are going with 2 drives you may want to consider raiding them (for performance/and or backup reasons).

The motherboard you selected looks like a micro-atx, while the case looks like a full sized case. Not sure if that was intentional, but I'm not sure what advantages you are seeking going with a microboard/full case.

I'm not reviewing any of the parts simply because I do not know about what kind of requirements/read rates a blue-ray has/needs, just making broader comments.

I've also seen some kinda remotes for htpcs that you may wanna look into investing in.
 

huron

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The integrated graphics on 785g boards are plenty for 1080p. The CPU is overkill for what you need, but is a nice chip.

I like smaller cases for my HTPCs, but that's a personal choice.

The budget is plenty - I think I did mine for around $400 (maybe less), but didn't need the OS, or the internal storage.

I don't think you need the 890 chipset for simple HTPC, but it is good for unlocking that extra core if you'd like.
 
Solution

Alvin Smith

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I do not disagree with any of that. Simply wanted to point out 890 as available.

ALSO ... sometimes folks "miss" the new boards because they have so few reviews (yet). (for those who seek most popular and best rated, the lack of reviews on newest gear can be misleading or omit these items from search/sorts).

I like to imagine (right or wrong) that the newer chipset will have other, un-advertised improvements, efficiencies and fixes (regardless of unlocking feature).

= That's all =
 

snowgoer1998

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Aug 28, 2009
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Ok...made some changes after sleeping on it...The case was nice, but a little more than I needed and wanted to pay.

Thanks for the info on the package deal going away...

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698 - $33

AMD Sempron

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394 - $80

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035 - $77 (w/shipping)

nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - Retail

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227248 - $82

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8004GK - Retail

I also am removing the 500 GB operating system hard drive...I have a 250 GB drive laying around...I can save a few bucks there.

The rest of the build:

Blu-Ray Player: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325 - $69 w/shipping

LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Reader Model iHOS104-06 - OEM

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium - $100

Keyboard/Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126032 - $50

Logitech

Storage HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433 - $80

Seagate 1 TB 7200.12

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 - $40

Corsair 400 Watt


Total Price w/shipping & rebates: $635.10
 

Alvin Smith

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swap out thatlite-on DVDR for a SAMSUNG SATA DVDR (~$24) and I'll stamp it w/my full seal of approval (that is ... I will guarantee you can't do better for the $$$).

= Al =

Lookin great ... fine as is ... Lite-Ons "can be ok" ... sometimes ... fail. ... sometimes.

 

snowgoer1998

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I realize what storing the dvd's and blu-ray's entails. That's why I'm looking to start with a 1 TB and build from there. Also, it's 4.5/9 GB for ALL the content on the DVD...If I were to take JUST the movie, there would be less storage required.