Cheap HTPC build

[ezzep123]

I'm wanting to build an HTPC. I like AMD products, and was ljust need the folowing: Linux compatibility, which is much easier than most think. I need a blu-ray playing capability, and a player as well. I would prefer it to be an AMD product. I'm fine with Phenom or APU, but don't care for Athlon unless the price would be less with an Athlon. I also need 4gb of ram, and an hdd. 500gb would be a great place to start, but would like more if there is a cheap deal somewhere.

 

[ezzep123]

I also need a PSU, forgot to mention that. I also had one build before this that had an Asrock mobo with sideport memory (obviously that's not being used anymore), 4gb of ddr2 ram, and a Phenom II X3. It did alright, but once in a while while playing LOTRO, the graphics would slow down. I blame it mostly on slow internet.

 

[ezzep123]

Sorry, once more. I was looking for a price range under $400. If I can get it for $300, that would be sweet, but am willing to go past $400 if I feel like it. And I'm not going to waste money on an SSD.

 

[g-unit1111]

Try this. The only thing you have to keep in mind with OEM burners is that they include no software for burning or playback - if you want something more you'll have to go with LITE-ON or something similar.

Case: nMediaPC Black Aluminum 6000B - $69.99
PSU: Corsair CX430 - $39.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-A75-D3H - $99.99
CPU: 2.6GHz AMD Llano Quad Core A6-3650 - $129.99
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaw X 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1333MHz 1.5V - $29.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200RPM - $99.99
Optical: LG Super Multi - $79.99

Total: $534.93

 

[ezzep123]

I think I'm going to hold off on the blu ray player for right now. The way technology moves in Idaho can be really slow. I'd think that after 4 or 5 years of releasing blu ray players, that the price difference would drop more than it has. And I'm going to go with the AMD APU. I was going to go with my old setup, but the price of DDR2 is ridiculous compared to DDR3.

 

[g-unit1111]

I think I'm going to hold off on the blu ray player for right now. The way technology moves in Idaho can be really slow. I'd think that after 4 or 5 years of releasing blu ray players, that the price difference would drop more than it has. And I'm going to go with the AMD APU. I was going to go with my old setup, but the price of DDR2 is ridiculous compared to DDR3.

A couple of things - I'm surprised you can even get DDR2 anymore, pretty much any board made after 2007 supports DDR-3. :lol:

The second is that shouldn't matter whether local prices can affect whether or not you can get a BD-R player. You can get one from Newegg for like $59 anymore, optical drives are so cheap anymore.

 

[Geek4life]

Awesome post. I already built mine 8 months ago.

I have documented my computer built on my blog at http://www.cool-technology.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-build-cheap-htpc-home-theater.html

Keep up the great work.