HTPC Sub $200

[BU_Spike]

*Probably will reuse case & PSU & ODD from previous Dell computer (sorry!)*


Approximate Purchase Date: Beginning of August

Budget Range: Max $200 After rebates, tax, and shipping.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching movies

Are you buying a monitor: No, have TV


Parts to Upgrade: CPU, Mobo, RAM (PSU and Case suggestions open).

Probably going to reuse old Dell PSU with 350W

Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NCIX.com, Canadacomputers.com, Tigerdirect.ca

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Parts Preferences: Intel or AMD is okay, ASUS, Corsair

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: Probably going to use for netflix.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: HTPC for Netflix on TV.

EDIT: I realized that I didn't add some parts that I would have chosen between.

RAM:

Corsair XMS3 1600MHz CL7 DDR3 4GB

Build 1:

Intel Pentium G620 @ 2.6 GHz

ASUS H61 motherboard

Build 2:
AMD A4-3300 @ 2.5GHz

ASUS A55 mobo

 

[Augray37]

Well, personally, i'd go the intel route. Trinity should be out in a couple months and you might be disappointed with Llano when it does, and getting an LGA 1155 socket system with a low power G620 will give you a good HTPC now while still having the option to easily convert it to a very powerful system with an i7-2600k or whatever later on if needed. I like Llano, but it's kinda limited with the FM1 socket.

 

[manofchalk]

For a HTPC for under $200, I think you would be better off buying a Playstation 3. Quite simply it comes with more features per dollar than any sub $400 PC. It supports Netflix (Plus Playstation Movies), Blu-Ray, Wireless internet connection, Bluetooth (I think) and will game better than any PC you could get for $200.

 

[Guest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-3500 2.1GHz Triple-Core Processor ($71.95 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-A75M-S2V Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.88 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: FSP Group 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($28.88 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $195.69
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

 

[BU_Spike]

Well, personally, i'd go the intel route. Trinity should be out in a couple months and you might be disappointed with Llano when it does, and getting an LGA 1155 socket system with a low power G620 will give you a good HTPC now while still having the option to easily convert it to a very powerful system with an i7-2600k or whatever later on if needed. I like Llano, but it's kinda limited with the FM1 socket.

Yeah, I have a couple video cards I have lying around if I ever wanted to maybe swap out some parts and use it as a regular PC.

For a HTPC for under $200, I think you would be better off buying a Playstation 3. Quite simply it comes with more features per dollar than any sub $400 PC. It supports Netflix (Plus Playstation Movies), Blu-Ray, Wireless internet connection, Bluetooth (I think) and will game better than any PC you could get for $200.

That's a good idea - I might just do that. But then, I might want to use this as a regular PC (I don't play on console) one day.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-3500 2.1GHz Triple-Core Processor ($71.95 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-A75M-S2V Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.88 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: FSP Group 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($28.88 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $195.69
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

Thanks for the selection - I'll keep this one in mind, and thanks for the site as well!