Suggestions on new $300-$400 HTPC Build

[sneaky jedi]

Hello Everyone

I am currently working on a build for a new HTPC for my family which would largely be used for playing our collection of HD video files and music. Right now we don't need a blu ray drive since our HD is limited to digital files, the rest of the movie collection is on DVDs (tho I may upgrade it in the future).

I have not built an HTPC before so one of my concerns is making sure everything will fit in the case.

I am interested in the new llano apus but not sure if that is the best way to go. I've figured an approximate budget but there may be a little more headroom depending on what my parents are willing to spend but try to keep it undner $400.

Anyway, here is the sticky:


Approximate Purchase Date: next week or so


Budget Range: 300-400


System Usage from Most to Least Important: playing/ streaming HD video and music, minor web browsing


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, DVD drive


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I like newegg but am willing to go anywhere, I live close to a Microcenter


Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences: none


Overclocking: no


SLI or Crossfire: no


Monitor Resolution: 47" 1920x1080 vizio TV


Additional Comments: Thanks for the input!



Case: SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / 0.8mm SECC Grandia Series GD05B micro-ATX / Mini-DTX / Mini-ITX MB, 1x5.25", 2x3.5"+1x2.5"HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163166
$70

PSU: SeaSonic SS-300ET Bronze 300W ATX12V V2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151086
$40

APU: AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz 4MB L2 Cache Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU AD3650WNGXBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103943
$120

Mobo: ASRock A75M-HVS FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157261
$70

RAM: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396
$30

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=spinpoint%20f3
$60



Total:
$390


Again, thanks for any comments

 

[aznshinobi]

Looks good. I think you should be looking at DDR3 1600 ram, Llano tends to perform much better with higher speed ram. This is the one case where I do recommend 1600 ram. The cheapest is sufficient.

 

[sadams04]

Llano will do a fine job as would any AM3 / AM3+ setup. Microcenter has a few AMD AM3 bundles that could save you money.

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

The MSI 880GM-E35 + X4 840 for $108 after MIR would work. The onboard HD 4250 video will do 1080 resolution as well as bitstream audio (HDMI audio and video).

The rest of the components stay the same as in your original post.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

You're missinga DVD/Blu-Ray in that build.

this should be adequate at $56:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

 

[aznshinobi]

I dunno Llano offers lower TDP which is kinda important in an HTPC build.

 

[sneaky jedi]

Thanks for the responses

aznshinobi: thanks for the tip on the RAM, this look like a good replacement?

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193
$37

Also I agree, unless someone can give me a good counter with a discount and good price/performance I'm going to stick with llano

ScrewySqrl: I have a sufficient dvd player from an older build, and as I stated before do not really need a blu ray player right now

 

[aznshinobi]

Good ram choice sneaky.

A good price/performance discount would be one the $300 HTPC build I have in my siggy or here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

 

[sneaky jedi]

Nice builds.

I think I'm liking what I have going on right now, but if i need to drop down to get closer to $300, ill def look at adopting much of what you have there

 

[aznshinobi]

Haha thanks.

And yeah, that's defiantly an option. It''d be cool to use Llano though. Newer tech and all.

 

[sneaky jedi]

Best answer selected by Sneaky Jedi.

 

[aznshinobi]

Thanks for the BA! Good luck!