Cheapest Possible HTPC, (laptop or desktop)

[popemasta]

Approximate Purchase Date: Month or so

Budget Range: Cheap as possible.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: XBMC with a stripped down XP. Streaming video, divx, assorted web surfing on Big screen TV

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor/tv, external HD, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Anything

Country of Origin: US of A

Parts Preferences: Cheap, but not crappy.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1024x768, or 1280x1024, will be using HDMI Out to go to a 58" TV Full Screen mode for video, Digital Audio Out from TV to 5.1 Surround

Additional Comments: HDMI Out

 

[rwpritchett]

You can build a very cheap HTPC if you go down the AMD Fusion path.

Antec ISK 300-65 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case $70

ASRock E350M1 AMD Zacate E350 (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD A50M Hudson M1 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo $110

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SN-S083F/BEBE - OEM $27

SAMSUNG 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model MV-3V4G4 $40

SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM250HJ 250GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Bare Drive $40

Total = $287

That setup won't break any speed records, but it will play all media you can throw at it and it will be tiny and quiet.

Do you have an absolute budget you could give us?

 

[christiangordon]

Case = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154061 $40
MB = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130295 $65
CPU = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698 $38
RAM = http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch.asp?px=PW&scriteria=BA42042 $15
DVD = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 $18
HDD = http://www.pcpartsohio.com/BookDetail.aspx?item_id=628 $25

Total = $201

 

[christiangordon]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6703039&CatId=336 $250

 

[christiangordon]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7275093&CatId=336 $279

 

[popemasta]

I was looking to be under $300

I don't care how big it is. I just want cost effectiveness and it to last for 3-4 years

 

[rwpritchett]

I was looking to be under $300

Looks like you have several selections above then.

Anything else you are looking for in an HTPC? Does the size of the case matter? Do you like silver/black? What about a remote?

 

[popemasta]

Looks like you have several selections above then.

Anything else you are looking for in an HTPC? Does the size of the case matter? Do you like silver/black? What about a remote?

I have a mouse/keyboard and a keyboard with a trackball attached.

I just need another computer, as the current one is not mine and I am swapping roommates.