New HTPC System need advice

[sleapeasy]

Approximate Purchase Date: Friday

Budget Range: 700 Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC, Live TV, Movies, Music

Parts Not Required: Case and Win 7, might not need a tv tuner card(see additional comments)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg/tigerdirect

Country of Origin: United States

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: Will be 1280x720 until august then 1920x1080

Additional Comments: This will be a HTPC, so i will need a blu ray player/burner, and it willbe the main stereo system in my house, so maybe a sound card, although im not sure.

I have this case already from an old build:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144151

I also have this tv tuner card i got for free from a friend, but if there is one i should look into, tell me:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306006&cm_re=ati_wonder-_-15-306-006-_-Product

I have a 2 TB HDD already for data , but would like a SMALL SSD for my os, maybe 40 some GB just for WIN 7

Thanks in advance.

 

[striker410]

Hi there! Welcome to the forums.

Could you please update your budget? After you do that we'll get started.

 

[sleapeasy]

Everything is edited, sry i messed that up lol

 

[striker410]

Lol that's ok.

The first thing I see is $700 is quite a bit of money for an HTPC.

Here's a basic build that's around $450

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886&cm_re=athlon_x3-_-19-103-886-_-Product

Mobo: ASUS M4A88TD-M/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 (it's expensive, but has usb 3 and sata 6.) $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131654

PSU: Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033&cm_re=380w-_-17-371-033-_-Product

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253&cm_re=g.skill-_-20-231-253-_-Product

SSD: OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

Blu-Ray drive: SAMSUNG Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-/+R 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151232&cm_re=blu_ray_burner_samsung-_-27-151-232-_-Product

That comes to $450 even.
It has a VERY fast SSD, and a very capable CPU.

However, it's not for gaming. If you want a gaming HTPC, tack on $120 for a GTS 450.

 

[sleapeasy]

Won't i need a video card for the Blu Ray output and what not?

 

[striker410]

The motherboard I linked includes onboard video with an HDMI, DVI, and VGA port. It will be adequate for Blu-ray.

 

[rwpritchett]

If you plan to bitstream blu-ray HD audio (DTS-MA/DD TrueHD), then you may want to wait a bit for Llano APU's to come out very soon. Otherwise, you'll need that discreet card even if not gaming (or go Intel).

 

[sleapeasy]

If you plan to bitstream blu-ray HD audio (DTS-MA/DD TrueHD), then you may want to wait a bit for Llano APU's to come out very soon. Otherwise, you'll need that discreet card even if not gaming (or go Intel).

could you explain a bt further as to why it would be better?

 

[striker410]

I think he's referring to the fact that the built in video is not capable of of HDMI 1.4 bitstreaming audio.

One if these should solve that issue: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150544&cm_re=5450-_-14-150-544-_-Product

Might want to double check with the guys in the Graphics and displays section of the forum.

 

[sleapeasy]

Well I am not really sure what is necessary or not, I have this for my speaker set up

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006&cm_re=Logitech_x-540-_-36-121-006-_-Product

I also have a lot of extension cables for good speaker placement.

If i didn't get the gfx card, got a much cheaper mobo, is there a sound card anybody would recommend? NOT creative because i will also be running linux on this when the tv tuner card i have finally gets linux driver support.

 

[striker410]

For sound the onboard is fine. It's 7.1!

I believe the audio streaming issue is specific to HDMI. If you are using external sound, you should have no issues.

Scratch the video card, go with the original build. You should be good.

 

[sleapeasy]

Do i really need 4GB of ram or could i get by with just 2 like this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231395

 

[striker410]

Do i really need 4GB of ram or could i get by with just 2 like this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231395

No, you don't need 4GB of ram. That ram would be just fine. However, 4GB could be useful for heavy multitasking. And it's only $20 more for less hassle, less worry and futureproofing.

 

[sleapeasy]

ok well sticking with that then, Also will there be a noticable difference between the sata 3 ssd and any other sata 2 drive since im bringing media off of mechanical hard drives anyways?

 

[sleapeasy]

Best answer selected by sleapeasy.

 

[striker410]

Well, what you need to look at is the read/write speed on SSD's. Some of them will not perform at their best on Sata II. The one I linked (Agility 3) needs Sata III to perform optimally. But no worries, you motherboard is fully compatible.

And as for media, no it will make no difference. An SSD is to improve boot times in OS and other apps. That's pretty much it.