HTPC - How does this look?

[scotsman8]

Looking to build a HTPC and picked out these components. Let me know your opinions and suggestions if you think there would be something better instead.

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1tb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Memory - G-Skill 2GB (2 X 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144

Case - Silverstone HTPC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163166

CPU / Motherboard - Gigabyte and AMD Athlon X4 620
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.357501

 

[scotsman8]

that all comes out to $404.95 before shipping and tax. I already have a PSU and DVD drive.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I wouldn't build that. DDR2 is a dead technology, and DDR3 is roughly the same price.

Also, if you're looking at HTPCs, you should really consider getting one of the new Intel dual cores with integrated graphics. Here's what I'd look at:

CPU: i3-530 $120
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2H $90
RAM: Crucial 2x1 GB 1333 mhz CAS Latency 9 $55

 

[obsidian86]

or look into an amd triple core

GIGABYTE GA-785GMT-USB3 AM3 AMD 785G HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $95
ocz ddr3 cas 7 $60 or kingston ddr3 cas 7 $58
athlon x3 425 $70

 

[MadAdmiral]

That's another option, except that OCZ RAM has a lot of issues. It uses a lot of voltage, which causes the RAM and the motherboard to often have issues.

 

[scotsman8]

how about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.362289

 

[obsidian86]

actually thats the only ocz ram i found thats actually one of their better designs it was originally made for the 775 ddr3 sockets but had too much voltage for the 1156 and 1366 sockets

 

[MadAdmiral]

That would work, but Biostar doesn't have very highest quality boards. I tend to recommend staying with an Asus or Gigabyte board.

If you're looking to cut the price, the easiest way would be to not get an HTPC specific case. Take a look at the standard cases. There are plenty of small case that are a lot cheaper than that Silverstone.

 

[scotsman8]

yea, the reason I chose the HTPC case is because it will be going next to all my other components in the living room. A standard case wouldn't fit in my entertainment center.

 

[MadAdmiral]

A mid tower might not, but a micro ATX mini tower might. Or a small case turned sideways might as well. I would at least take a look around.

EDIT: Forgot to add that you should keep an eye out for combos. This is the first time I've looked at the i3 and it wasn't in a combo with a lot of boards. I've seen it in a combo with the board I posted for $190.

 

[mfernicola]

I am using that same mobo in my HTPC and it works great.

If this is going to be a 100% dedicated HTPC (like mine is) you could step down on the CPU (Regor) and memory (ddr2-800) and save yourself some cash. I am driving my mobo with a Regor (ok, an ulocked Sempron but essentially the same thing) and ddr2-800 ram.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.357498

If you see yourself ever doing things besides HT stuff on this PC then go ahead and get the 620 (and you might also want to go with 4gb of ram if you will be gaming) -- its a great chip and will provide much flexibility. If you do this you could even drop in a good video card at some point and Bob's your uncle! It all depends on how you see yourself using this setup.

 

[scotsman8]

The price really isn't too much of a concern. I just don't see the point of getting something ridiculously overpowered for what I need.

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1tb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Case - Silverstone HTPC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163166

Memory - OCZ 2GB (2 X 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227340

CPU - i3-530
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222

Motherboard - Gigabyte
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128420

$450 before tax and shipping

 

[obsidian86]

maybe

nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case $80

that ocz ram will only work with the amd cpu's it has too much voltage for the intel cpu's try kingston ddr3 cas 7 $58

 

[scotsman8]

maybe

nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case $80

that ocz ram will only work with the amd cpu's it has too much voltage for the intel cpu's try kingston ddr3 cas 7 $58

yea i looked at that case also