Which CPU/MOBO combo for a HTPC?? And keyboard/mouse

A quick followup

As you can see by the prices, I'm in the $150 to $250 range for both CPU and MOBO...

I'd like to stay in that range

Lets figure $275 for the absolute top price

I would say combo #1 is the best of the three. Whatever you do, don't get combo #3 since it uses DDR2 RAM. Not only does the i3 chip outperform the AMD one, but it also uses considerably less energy. The fact that combo #1 is $30 cheaper is icing on the cake.

Thanks for the replies....

Ok, so Combo #1 looks like the winner...

Well, I pulled the trigger today...

Over lunch I stopped by the local Microcenter and picked up the i3-530 - $109 out the door

I changed up the MOBO based on Tom's review of the H55's

The case is nothing spectacular, but this is just going to be sitting out of sight behind a door anyway...I figure I'll throw in another fan in the front of the HDD's to have good airflow.


NEW QUESTION: I haven't bought a mouse/keyboard yet...for now I'll use what I have lying around. I would like to have something wireless, but I've read that most devices have problems over 3-4 feet. I'd like to sit on a couch about 8-10 feet from the position of any wireless/bluetooth receiver.

What I need now are suggestions of a good mouse/keyboard solution...Any Ideas????


The build is below:


1 x ($109) i3-530
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

3 x ($84.99) HD 1T|SEAGATE 7K ST31000528AS OEM - OEM $254.97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1 x ($111.99) MEM 2Gx2|CRUC CT2KIT25664BA1339 R - Retail $111.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1 x ($29.99) CASE ROSEWILL|R102-P-BK RT - Retail $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1 x ($21.99) DVD BURN SONY|AD-7240S-0B % - OEM $21.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1 x ($49.99) PSU ANTEC|430W EA-430D GREEN RT - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1 x ($109.99) MB GIGABYTE GA-H55M-USB3 LGA1156 R - Retail $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1 x ($99.99) WIN HOME PREM 7 64-BIT ENG 1PK DSP - OEM $99.99


Total Shipped: $800 (actually, just under, but who cares)

I don't know where you've heard the 3-4 feet problem. I've got several wireless mice/keyboards (the kind with a reciever) and they work just fine out to about 20-30 feet. The set I'm currently using is some Microsoft set that I got for like $40...

I've read that a few times at the AVS forums...

Although, it could be user error...we all know that NEVER happens  

What model are you using and is it bluetooth or plain 'ol wireless??

It's wireless. It's just some generic version I got at Best Buy when my old mouse died. The keyboard has media controls if that helps...

Thanks, that's really all the info I needed.

And...(should of thought of this earlier) I'm sitting here at work (shh...don't tell the boss) typing away on my WIRELESS keyboard...

I'm not going into any more detail than that....

Best answer selected by snowgoer1998.

I had a difficult time picking a "Best Answer"

It came down to "Eeenee meenee miny mo..."

BUILD FOLLOW UP:

I've decided to post once more on how this build went...I don't really see many follow ups on the forum and sometimes that is the most important part...

Did all the parts fit together and actually work?!!?

Well, in short, this time they did.

I stated earlier in the thread that I went with the el'cheapo Rosewill case because it wasn't going to be seen anyway. I'm pleased with this case...it's a no frills, get the job done case. I did have to replace the (included) rear fan...it wasn't balanced right and was making too much noise. I just stopped and picked up a 120 mm replacement at Fry's.

Other than that, the comments worth mentioning:
- The case will not fit multiple HDD's with a large video card
- Install the CD/DVD/Blu-Ray drive FIRST...once you put the PSU in, it's going to take some real trickery to get the optical drive in.
- i3-530 is a GREAT processor...it's actually putting my i7-920 to shame while ripping DVD's...it's about 25% faster


I haven't done any overclocking yet...and I don't know if I will...the only purpose for this is to be a media center.


I ended up getting a Logitech MK300 wireless keyboard and mouse...they work great at about 10' away from the receiver.

Great! Thanks for the follow-up. It's always nice to hear how the builds worked out.