HTPC New Build, Intel or AMD?

[chriscalderonh]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week probably.

BUDGET RANGE: 400-500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HTPC(blu-ray, 1080p mkv playback, bitstreaming of HD Audio), light gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Blu-ray drive, hard drive, Windows 7

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon only, newegg doesn´t accept international credit cards.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Venezuela

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Here are my two possible choices for processor/motherboard:

AMD:
Biostar AMD DDR3 890GX Based AM3 Micro ATX Motherboard TA890GXB HD $95.69
http://www.amazon.com/Biostar-890GX-Motherboard-TA890GXB-HD/dp/B003K0YM60/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=A2JUPN4BTA3CZV

AMD Athlon II X4 630 $99.00
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-630-2800MHz-Retail/dp/B002MAPS3K/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Intel:
Intel Core i3 Processor i3-530 2.93GHz $114.99
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processor-2-93GHz-LGA1156-BX80616I3530/dp/B0030DN1GO/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

ASUS mATX Motherboard P7H55-M Pro $94.99
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-2133OC-Motherboard-P7H55-M-Pro/dp/B0031AK5CE/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Memory(if there is one cheaper and compatible I welcome your suggestions):
Corsair XMS3 4 GB PC3-12800 1600Mhz DDR3 Memory Kit $99.99
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-PC3-12800-1600Mhz-Channel-CMX4GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B002LE8D2A/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PSU(will this one be enough?):
Corsair CMPSU-400CX 400-Watt CX Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-400CX-400-Watt-Certified-compatible/dp/B001FXB7X0/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Video(which one is better? or another suggestion?):
HIS Radeon HD 5670 512MB (128bit) GDDR5 HDMI DL-DVI (HDCP) $89.99
http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Radeon-128bit-Express-H567Q512/dp/B0034APYCW/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1280672289&sr=1-6

Sapphire Radeon HD 5570 - 1 GB DDR3 $89.99
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-HD-5570-PCI-Express/dp/B0036ORMYE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1280672410&sr=1-1

All parts are preferable to be under a hundred dollars, since I pay a 20% tax on computer parts over $100, and the shipping is more expensive too.

About the case, I can't order one because the shipping to my country will be way too expensive, there is no htpc cases on sale here, the only one I've found that some people on the net say they use as htpc is the Cooler Master Elite 360, the other cases are normal towers primarily thermaltake is what they sell here.

 

[gkay09]

Well I would stick with AMD and for a HTPC/ Gaming, rather get the X3 440...It would suffice...
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-II-440-3-0GHz/dp/B0035JKNFA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1280726233&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0035JKNFA/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1280726690&sr=1-1&condition=new

Mobo - Get the ASUS/ Gigabyte 880G
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Socket-USB3-0-Motherboard-GA-880GMA-UD2H/dp/B003KPP4JO/ref=sr_1_14?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1280726284&sr=1-14
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-M4A88TD-M-880G-Unlocker-Motherboard/dp/B003ICWAVO/ref=sr_1_9?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1280726284&sr=1-9

PSU - That 400W can even run HD 5770...So not issues with that...

Graphics card - +1 for the HD 5670...stick with that if you want to do some gaming...
1GB would be nice, but it costs above $100 though...

RAM - This is a good one -
Crucial 4GB DDR3
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-CT2KIT25664BA1067-240-PIN-PC3-8500-Memory/dp/B000VZS10U/ref=sr_1_6?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1280726565&sr=1-6

 

[chriscalderonh]

Hey thanks for the suggestions, I'm going with the X3 440 and the Crucial memory, about the motherboard, I was looking for a mATX in case I find a smaller case designed for mATX, the only one under a $100 I found was that Biostar.

And about the video card, in case I want to buy a more expensive one, between the 1GB 5670 and the 5770, I know the 5770 is better, but with this CPU is it worth it to go with the 5770 and spend the extra money?

 

[gkay09]

The mobos that I have linked are also mATX and IMO better quality...Except for the onboard video chipset, there is no difference and also as you will be using a discrete graphics card, again that wont matter...

As for the graphics card, the X3 440 would be good enough even for a single HD 5850/ 5870 IMO...So HD 5770 is fine...

And as for the PSU, get this just $10 more -
OCZ ModeXtreme PRO 500W (Just on the safer side and also you can add even more powerful cards like HD 5850/ 5870)
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ500MXSP-ModXStream-Power-Supply/dp/B001EZMEZO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1280808089&sr=1-1

And also check that Section "Frequently Bought Together"
Disselect the CPU from that 3 parts, so now you would save $10 with that RAM + PSU there...

 

[chriscalderonh]

Best answer selected by chriscalderonh.