Budget HTPC Builds

[tagged77]

Hey all! Long time reader, 1st post.

I turned my last awesome gaming rig (4/5 years old) into an HTPC and have been loving it since. I am planning to build a new HTPC. I have put together a "budget build" and a slightly "better build". I would love feedback on both.

Goals:
-Will be used to record over the air broadcasts only, no cable/sat.
-Budget system will not be used to play BluRays, Better system would be used to play BluRays.
-Will run Windows 7 on both. BONUS - Would like to install MythBuntu and have this machine run as a frontend/backend. Just not sure if all the components will run Linux without many problems, if you see a quick switch that will make life easier would love to hear it, but planning on starting this out as a Windows system and will put a small partition to attempt setting up MythBuntu once 11.10 is out.
-Will use HTMI out to a receiver. Would like to have high def sound included in HTMI (something that my current build cannot do, I currently run via Fiber and only get 5.1 out of it).


"Budget Build":

Processor: AMD A4-3400 Llano 2.7GHz Socket FM1 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor AD3400OJGXBOX - $79.99
Motherboard: ASRock A75M-HVS FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - $69.99
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT - $25.99
Graphics Card: (Included - AMD Radeon HD 6410D) - $0.00
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda Green ST1000DL002 1TB 5900 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Bare Drive -Bare Drive - $59.99
Case: APEX DM-318 Black Steel Micro ATX Media Center / Slim HTPC Computer Case w/ ATX12V Flex 275W Power Supply - $39.99
Power Supply: (included - ATX12V Flex 275W Power Supply) - $0.00
Cooling: Stock Heatsink/Fan - $0.00
DVD Burner: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM - $17.99
Additional: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250 Hybrid TV Tuner /Video Recorder 1196 PCI-Express x1 Interface - $49.99

Total Price: $343.93


"Better Build":

Processor: AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU AD3650WNGXBOX - $119.99
Motherboard: ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - $74.99
RAM: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model MD8192KD3-1333 - $43.99
Graphics Card: (Included - AMD Radeon HD 6530D) $0.00
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL003 1.5TB 5900 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $64.99
Case: APEX DM-318 Black Steel Micro ATX Media Center / Slim HTPC Computer Case w/ ATX12V Flex 275W Power Supply - $39.99
Power Supply: (included - ATX12V Flex 275W Power Supply) - $0.00
Cooling: Stock Heatsink/Fan - $0.00
DVD Burner: SAMSUNG Black Blu-ray Combo SATA Model SH-B123L LightScribe Support - OEM - $59.99
Additional: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250 Hybrid TV Tuner /Video Recorder 1196 PCI-Express x1 Interface - $49.99

Total Price: $453.93

Thanks for the input!

 

[AdrianPerry]

So are you planning to build 2 new systems or...?

Filling this template might help you get better, more accurate feedback: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/261222-13-build-advice

 

[diellur]

Your budget build is more than enough to do what you want. I second the question on whether you're wanting to build 2 systems or one, but that aside...

CPU: Budget build APU is fine for both builds, and the 6xxx series graphics will support bitstreaming to your receiver over HDMI. You want to go with the 65W TDP as well...for an HTPC, assuming you want it quiet, 100W TDP may be a tad warm, thusly running the cooler fan faster and making more noise.

RAM: 2x4GB is more than enough for an HTPC. I'm assuming your Windows 7 is 64-bit. The G.Skills will be fine, too.

Case: Looks fine, just check some reviews for cooling performance and the PSU performance. It may be better to spend more on something like a Silverstone mITX case with an 80+ rated PSU.

HDD: Bigger is better, and Seagate is a good brand.

Bluray Drive: Looks fine. Your call on what you want on the budget build, but it'll be fine playing back Blurays.

Motherboard: Looks fine.

Have fun with the build.