HTPC Build - $500-$800

[jgenee]

Approximate Purchase Date: In about a month

Budget Range: $500-800 Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching Blu Ray Movies, Streaming movies from NAS, internet, moderate gaming

Parts Not Required: Keyboard/Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.com, superbiiz.com, Microcenter, B&H Photo, I will order from Newegg.com but price must be great because I’m in NJ and must pay tax.

Country: NJ, USA

Parts Preferences: My last PC build (6 years ago) I went with AMD and I was very happy. I currently do not have preference, but went with AMD to get feedback.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 - 52” Samsung LCD

Additional Comments: I’m looking to build an HTPC that I may eventually use for 3D Blu Ray and as a DVR. I also would like to use it for gaming from time to time. I am not loyal to any of the places below and am open to any suggestions even Intel configurations. Thanks.


Parts:

Case
Silverstone GD05b Amazon - 89.99


PSU
Rosewill RG530 S12 Newegg - 49.99


Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H Microcenter - 74.99


CPU
AMD Llano A8-3850 $119.99
or
Amd LLano A8-3870 $129.99

RAM
8GB Corsair Vengeance 69.99 - No preference
CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8R

SSD
Crucail m4 64GB 90.74 - B&H

Blu-Ray Drive
Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS 59.99 - Newegg

OS
Windows 7

 

[gggirlgeek]

Hi,

Thought I'd chime in because I'm looking to build almost the same thing (without the gaming.) But I need the power for several TV recieveres running at the same time, Video conversion, and clear TV reception while other stuff is running in the background. Most people think Htpc's don't need much power, cooling or decent cpu. I disagree, for the reasons above.

My post: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/339171-31-important-cache-htpc-multitasking#t2538205

It would help a great deal if you'd give links to your new items. That way we can look at the detailed specs instead of going by memory.

First, if you want an HTPC on a budget, you'll need space for video -- 1TB!. An SSD gives you no space and costs a lot. It won't speed you up as much as more affordable hardware. Re-use your old HDD's and add a decent 1TB 7200rpm.

The HDD's and the cooling are the reasons I'm going with a mid-tower case -- but a smaller one, like microATX 16.30 x 7.5 x 14.2 or ATX 19.25" x 7.25" x 16.40". Notice I chose cases which allow more hard drives. You can go smaller if you want but be careful that you have 2 External 5.25" slots for both DVD and Blu Ray drives. I am storing mine sideways in an entertainment cabinet.

I am not convinced about APU's when I need the extra boost and future proofing that hardware acceleration can give me with an external video card. External video cards are also very cheap if you're not an extreme gamer. $60 for my Nvidia GT-430 or a similar 1Gb ATI. You're going to want lots of custom settings to tweak the images on your 52" screen as well. I don't know if the APU allows you to use ATI's drivers and control panel for this???

I am personally going for the best cpu I can for the price. With a 52" monitor you will be using lots of HD video. You'll need it. The best bang for my buck was the AMD X3 460 or FX-8120 (see my post.) These also seemed pretty future-proof.

I chose an ATX motherboard because I can add lots of stuff on later. I like that your board has 2 PCI and 2 PCI-e slots though. The USB 3.0 is handy but you have no capability for front USB 3.0. Kind of a pain. I looked for this in a case as well ATX 7.8" x 16.7" x 19.1" My other considerations have eSata on the front.

My motherboard choice at the moment M5A97 AM3+ USB 3.0 front/ no eSata front.

Hope I've helped, but maybe the experts know better.

 

[hellfire24]

Case
Silverstone GD05b Amazon - 89.99


PSU
Rosewill RG530 S12 Newegg - 49.99


Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H Microcenter - 74.99


CPU
AMD Llano A8-3850 $119.99
or
Amd LLano A8-3870 $129.99

RAM
8GB Corsair Vengeance 69.99 - No preference
CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8R

SSD
Crucail m4 64GB 90.74 - B&H

Blu-Ray Drive
Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS 59.99 - Newegg

OS
Windows 7

nice choice.just a couple of changes-
that ram is overpriced.get this one-
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2x4GB-DDR3-1600MHz-Destop-Memory/dp/B006WAGGUK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1331630195&sr=8-7

and that psu is crap.get this one-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

 

[besthtpc]

Above configuration will do. Also check the http://www.besthtpc.net/best-htpc/powerful-amd-based-htpc/
made for the same purposes. With a slight different set of parts. and Works for real.