$500 HTPC Gaming PC

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rickyk586

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Hi, I'm interested in hearing your opinions. Please ask me any other question you may have:

Approximate Purchase Date: within the next 2 weeks

Budget Range: $500 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC, gaming PC. I'm not a gamer, but I would like to be able to play the latest games.

Parts Not Required: monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, frys.com (I live close to one)

Country: (e.g.: India) US

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: Maybe (never done it before)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: Will be on 1080 TV

Additional Comments: It will be a living room pc under the TV (not hidden). I plan on using xbmc or some other similar HTPC software for movies, music, and games.
 
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buzznut
Have you looked at the combos on newegg? They have some pretty nice package deals:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Promotion.aspx?storeid=33&name=DIY-PC-Combos

I would start checking there. With the budget you're suggesting, you could go with either a AMD triple core setup or possibly a A8/A75 chipset. With the latter, the onboard graphcis would be suitable for casual gaming, but you say you'd rather go with the latest games..

So you could get a Athlon X3 plus a 880G motherboard for about 150. I recommend a AM3+ chipset for future upgrades.
Then a PSU will run about $50, same for a low end HTPC case. For around $100 you could get an entry level graphics card that would handle most games decently. Maybe a HD 6750 or something along those...
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buzznut

buzznut

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Have you looked at the combos on newegg? They have some pretty nice package deals:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Promotion.aspx?storeid=33&name=DIY-PC-Combos

I would start checking there. With the budget you're suggesting, you could go with either a AMD triple core setup or possibly a A8/A75 chipset. With the latter, the onboard graphcis would be suitable for casual gaming, but you say you'd rather go with the latest games..

So you could get a Athlon X3 plus a 880G motherboard for about 150. I recommend a AM3+ chipset for future upgrades.
Then a PSU will run about $50, same for a low end HTPC case. For around $100 you could get an entry level graphics card that would handle most games decently. Maybe a HD 6750 or something along those lines. You didn't mention a keyboard mouse, but a wireless combo would be essential for home theater. Enermax has a new combo that is budget priced, I hear good things.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823219009
 
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somekidxd

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LG 22X Super-Multi DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH22NS90B - OEM $18

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G $25

BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 sata 3gbs $50

SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB $145

COOLER MASTER Elite 310 RC-310-BKR2-GP Black with blue front panel Steel Body / ABS plastic front bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply $55

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $99

i3 2100 $125

Total: $517

If your not doing a lot of games, you can downgrade the graphics card for more hard drive memory.
 
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rickyk586

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Thanks buzznut!

I looked at their combo deals but there was usually something I didn't like about each one (like something I didn't need/want or something with bad reviews). Plus I heard they mostly do these combos to get rid of not-so-good products (not sure if that's true or not).

So far, how is this looking?


BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138283
There's so many and I'm such a noob I don't know what one!
$60

HIS H675F1GD Radeon HD 6750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379

ENERMAX KM001W Black RF Wireless Keyboard with Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823219009&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1dvvamapbui18
$25
I'm wondering if it would be worth it to get a bluetooth set since there may be some kind of obstruction...

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
$78

Total so far: $260 + (about $100 for PSU and case)

That combo deal actually looks pretty decent too...
 
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buzznut

buzznut

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I like this build. The core i3/H61 system is pretty good as well. You could upgrade to a core i5 at some point.

So here's the deal. AMD is kinda backing off the bulldozer CPUs. So the upgrade path for the AM3+ is a bit of an unknown, but I believe they will have piledriver CPUs for the same socket. But it will work with the AM3 processors such as the Athlon II's, and the Phenom IIs. Its a solid platform.

However the A75 motherboards and the APUs are definitely part of AMDs future plans and they are already going to be releasing new CPUs for this socket in the late spring early summer time frame. So you would be assured of an upgrade path. As I mentioned, the integrated graphics would certainly get you by for now. It is really well suited to HTPC duty.

The H61/core i3 or i5 is good, but upgrade options will be limited. Its a good chipset for HTPC, but kinda getting a little long in the tooth. However the pros would be that the performance will be solid for a couple of years, especially with an i5 upgrade.
 
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buzznut

buzznut

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BTW, the combo deals are NOT just crappy stuff they're trying to get rid of. Of course you must be choosy. I must admit, like you I tend to think that most combos are one or two components away from being ideal. But I build so many computers that I am sure to have a use for those other items sometime.
 
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rickyk586

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Would the graphics on the A75 motherboards be good for modern games too? Like I said earlier, I'm not much of a gamer, but I would like to be able to play the newest Call of Duty and similar graphics intensive games.
 
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rickyk586

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buzznut, I most likely will never be upgrading the CPU so that's not much of a factor.

So, here's what I've come up with (on Newegg). Please let me know what you guys think. I'm kind of worried about everything not being able to fit in the HTPC case. I don't think I've ever even seen one before, and they look pretty cramped.

LG 22X Super-Multi DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS90B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136240
$18.99

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148767
$84.99

BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138283
$59.99

HIS H675F1GD Radeon HD 6750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #: N82E16814161379
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$99.99

ENERMAX KM001W Black RF Wireless Keyboard with Mouse
Item #: N82E16823219009
$5.00 Mail-in Rebate
$24.99

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G
Item #: N82E16820104206
$24.99

AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103911
$79.99

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum skin reinforced plastic front panel, 0.8mm SECC body MILO Series ML03B Micro ATX Media Center ...
Item #: N82E16811163174
$59.99

Subtotal: $453.92
Tax: $32.91
Shipping: $24.01
Grand Total: $510.84
 
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the_creed4

the_creed4

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Its tough nowadays with hdd prices, get a 250gb hdd,and an antec neo eco 400w will be perfect,u might be 10 maybe 20 over budget if u take my advice, stick with the 6750,that's the minimal gpu for current gaming
 
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besthtpc

besthtpc

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This is not really a HTPC anymore.
What kind of cpu cooler are you planning to buy.
For gaming get more ram.
Why not go for a amd A8 3870 comes with a HD6550D
I also miss a PSU (power supply)

 
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rickyk586

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I'm about to hit buy. Thoughts?!?!

LG 22X Super-Multi DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS90B
Item #: N82E16827136240
$18.99

APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811154095
$19.99

BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138283
$59.99

HIS H675F1GD Radeon HD 6750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #: N82E16814161379
$99.99

LOGISYS Computer PS575XBK 575W ATX12V SLI Ready Power Supply
$24.99

ENERMAX KM001W Black RF Wireless Keyboard with Mouse
Item #: N82E16823219009
$24.99

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G
Item #: N82E16820104206
$24.99

AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103911
$79.99

1 TB HD I'm buying from a friend
$100

Subtotal: $453.92
Tax: $25.66
Shipping: $21.67
Grand Total: $501.25
 
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