Hi, as the title says I'm trying to build an HTPC for my parents for approximately $500 with an i3 cpu. I want to show them the world of watching television programs with no commercials, any time they want 
This is my second build, but I'm pretty inexperienced with the whole high-def TV side of things, so bear with me. Thank you in advance for your help
Here's the FAQ:
Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP
Budget Range: $350-$500
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Streaming Netflix, Hulu, avi's, dvd/blu-ray rips to a 42'' high-def tv with 1080p; browsing and other normal tasks.
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com. Would like all my parts to come from the same place though.
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: Trying to fit everything into something with a small footprint. Currently have a MicroATX Midtower chosen but am willing to take suggestions (on everything, not just the tower).
Overclocking: No. The build is for my parents, and though they are not technologically illiterate, they wouldn't be interested in anything for power users like OC'ing.
SLI or Crossfire: Nope
Monitor Resolution: 42'' High-def TV
I have a bunch of questions regarding the following build:
1. I guess my most important question is "will this build be overkill ?" If I can spend less money, I'd like to. I did research and found people saying an AMD athlon x2 could do what I need this current build to do. What are your thoughts?
2. I have the i3-540 listed as the build. Will I benefit from having another iteration of the i3 like the i3-2100 instead? If I change to the 2100, will I have to change any other parts due to compatibility?
3. Regarding the motherboard: I've seen threads in which people recommend the h55, h61, and h67. If it's between h61 and h67, do I really need the more expensive one?
4. I didn't include a Blu-Ray reader in the build because the cheaper ones on newegg seemed to require the purchase of software in order to play certain movies. I don't mind just going DVD and buying a Blu-Ray player later if my parents decide to watch Blu-Rays.
5. My dad plans on keeping this on his office desk, which is in the room adjacent to the TV room. A long cable seems easily runnable between the tower and the TV. Are there any reasons to not do this? Any alternatives? I read that HDMI cables have a limit to how long they can be. Suggestions?
6. Thoughts on the Caviar Green? Does the hit to performance it takes in comparison to the Blue make a noticeable difference? I wouldn't mind the opportunity to consume less power.
Additional Notes:
Most likely wont be doing DVR so a TV tuner wont be necessary unless you guys can convince me otherwise. Also, I wont be going 3D either because my dad is unable to see it do to an eye injury.
Here's the build:
Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221
118.99
ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131623
104.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
46.99
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
25.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769&cm_re=caviar_blue-_-22-136-769-_-Product
44.99
Antec New Solution NSK3480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129035
94.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&cm_re=Windows_7_oem-_-32-116-986-_-Product
99.99
Total: $536.93
Thanks Again Guys
This is my second build, but I'm pretty inexperienced with the whole high-def TV side of things, so bear with me. Thank you in advance for your help
Here's the FAQ:
Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP
Budget Range: $350-$500
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Streaming Netflix, Hulu, avi's, dvd/blu-ray rips to a 42'' high-def tv with 1080p; browsing and other normal tasks.
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com. Would like all my parts to come from the same place though.
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: Trying to fit everything into something with a small footprint. Currently have a MicroATX Midtower chosen but am willing to take suggestions (on everything, not just the tower).
Overclocking: No. The build is for my parents, and though they are not technologically illiterate, they wouldn't be interested in anything for power users like OC'ing.
SLI or Crossfire: Nope
Monitor Resolution: 42'' High-def TV
I have a bunch of questions regarding the following build:
1. I guess my most important question is "will this build be overkill ?" If I can spend less money, I'd like to. I did research and found people saying an AMD athlon x2 could do what I need this current build to do. What are your thoughts?
2. I have the i3-540 listed as the build. Will I benefit from having another iteration of the i3 like the i3-2100 instead? If I change to the 2100, will I have to change any other parts due to compatibility?
3. Regarding the motherboard: I've seen threads in which people recommend the h55, h61, and h67. If it's between h61 and h67, do I really need the more expensive one?
4. I didn't include a Blu-Ray reader in the build because the cheaper ones on newegg seemed to require the purchase of software in order to play certain movies. I don't mind just going DVD and buying a Blu-Ray player later if my parents decide to watch Blu-Rays.
5. My dad plans on keeping this on his office desk, which is in the room adjacent to the TV room. A long cable seems easily runnable between the tower and the TV. Are there any reasons to not do this? Any alternatives? I read that HDMI cables have a limit to how long they can be. Suggestions?
6. Thoughts on the Caviar Green? Does the hit to performance it takes in comparison to the Blue make a noticeable difference? I wouldn't mind the opportunity to consume less power.
Additional Notes:
Most likely wont be doing DVR so a TV tuner wont be necessary unless you guys can convince me otherwise. Also, I wont be going 3D either because my dad is unable to see it do to an eye injury.
Here's the build:
Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221
118.99
ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131623
104.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
46.99
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
25.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769&cm_re=caviar_blue-_-22-136-769-_-Product
44.99
Antec New Solution NSK3480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129035
94.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&cm_re=Windows_7_oem-_-32-116-986-_-Product
99.99
Total: $536.93
Thanks Again Guys
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