Thanks for everyone's help in advance.
I'm looking to build a media center for my dad when he upgrades his TV at christmas. I've been looking around and I've come up with a couple things but I haven't quite found a build priced as low as I want, so I thought I'd ask you guys.
Usage: My dad and I would basically use this for 1080p Playback, streaming 1080p content from the web, blu-ray playing, torrent downloading, and browsing. I would also like to multitasking on the machine.
Here are the things I need for the build:
*Case: I want something that is compact and will look good. I want it do have enough space but also not look like a computer tower.
*CPU: I would like a Llano CPU because I have heard that is it good for HTPCs due to the very good intergrated graphics. Since I want it to be quiet, should I get a water cooling system or a heatsink without a fan to go on the CPU?
*Motherboard: The most important thing is HDMI output - I won't be using a discrete gpu. The only expansion cards I'll be adding are a wireless card and a possibly a TV tuner. A mini-ITX board with a mini PCIe slot and a PCIe 2.0 x16 or x1 slot would be excellent, but a micro-ATX board would also be acceptable. Also I really want USB 3.0 but its not totally required. Also, I don't need PS/2, firewire, eSATA, s/pdif, or coaxial ports.
*TV Tuner: I don't know anything about TV tuners. I might consider one if it fits my budget but I need to know more about them. What can they do? I have Dish network with a DVR.
*Wireless Card: Some mini-ITX boards with mini-PCIe slots come with these. Otherwise I'll need to buy one.
*RAM: About 4gb of RAM should do, right? .
*PSU: Most anything will do.
*Optical: A good blu-ray drive will do. Also, what software do I need to run them
*HDD: something at least 500GB
The rest of the details are given below.
***I WANT THIS TO BE A VERY QUIET SYSTEM***
--------------------
Approximate Purchase Date: My dad plans on buying the 60"-70" TV by Christmas (maybe on Black Friday) during the Christmas sales, so sometime shortly after that (maybe a little before)
Budget Range: Let's say $400-425 max, but I'm looking to get it closer to the $350 range. Lowest possible cost is the point of this thread.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC. MUST BE QUIET! 1080p playback, blu-ray playback. (From optical drive - like Red Box DVDs), I will be streaming video from a the web, downloading torrents, playing music, and other standard tasks like web browsing and office applications. Probably gaming.
Parts Not Required: I only need the box, so no monitor, keyboard, mouse, OS, etc. I also do not need a graphics card - I will be using the CPUs graphics (Llano).
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I usually use newegg but anything reputable is fine. I'd rather not buy used parts, but refurbished or open box products are fine.
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: The AMD Llano CPU and blu-ray drive
Overclocking: Maybe. I have never done it before so I am iffy on that.
SLI or Crossfire: No discrete graphics at all
Monitor Resolution: It will be 60"-70" Plasma TV in a moderate price range for that size.
Also, is there a remote I can use to start the HTPC and use it with XMBC?
I'm looking to build a media center for my dad when he upgrades his TV at christmas. I've been looking around and I've come up with a couple things but I haven't quite found a build priced as low as I want, so I thought I'd ask you guys.
Usage: My dad and I would basically use this for 1080p Playback, streaming 1080p content from the web, blu-ray playing, torrent downloading, and browsing. I would also like to multitasking on the machine.
Here are the things I need for the build:
*Case: I want something that is compact and will look good. I want it do have enough space but also not look like a computer tower.
*CPU: I would like a Llano CPU because I have heard that is it good for HTPCs due to the very good intergrated graphics. Since I want it to be quiet, should I get a water cooling system or a heatsink without a fan to go on the CPU?
*Motherboard: The most important thing is HDMI output - I won't be using a discrete gpu. The only expansion cards I'll be adding are a wireless card and a possibly a TV tuner. A mini-ITX board with a mini PCIe slot and a PCIe 2.0 x16 or x1 slot would be excellent, but a micro-ATX board would also be acceptable. Also I really want USB 3.0 but its not totally required. Also, I don't need PS/2, firewire, eSATA, s/pdif, or coaxial ports.
*TV Tuner: I don't know anything about TV tuners. I might consider one if it fits my budget but I need to know more about them. What can they do? I have Dish network with a DVR.
*Wireless Card: Some mini-ITX boards with mini-PCIe slots come with these. Otherwise I'll need to buy one.
*RAM: About 4gb of RAM should do, right? .
*PSU: Most anything will do.
*Optical: A good blu-ray drive will do. Also, what software do I need to run them
*HDD: something at least 500GB
The rest of the details are given below.
***I WANT THIS TO BE A VERY QUIET SYSTEM***
--------------------
Approximate Purchase Date: My dad plans on buying the 60"-70" TV by Christmas (maybe on Black Friday) during the Christmas sales, so sometime shortly after that (maybe a little before)
Budget Range: Let's say $400-425 max, but I'm looking to get it closer to the $350 range. Lowest possible cost is the point of this thread.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC. MUST BE QUIET! 1080p playback, blu-ray playback. (From optical drive - like Red Box DVDs), I will be streaming video from a the web, downloading torrents, playing music, and other standard tasks like web browsing and office applications. Probably gaming.
Parts Not Required: I only need the box, so no monitor, keyboard, mouse, OS, etc. I also do not need a graphics card - I will be using the CPUs graphics (Llano).
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I usually use newegg but anything reputable is fine. I'd rather not buy used parts, but refurbished or open box products are fine.
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: The AMD Llano CPU and blu-ray drive
Overclocking: Maybe. I have never done it before so I am iffy on that.
SLI or Crossfire: No discrete graphics at all
Monitor Resolution: It will be 60"-70" Plasma TV in a moderate price range for that size.
Also, is there a remote I can use to start the HTPC and use it with XMBC?