Cheap HTPC.

[Drewsommer]

I want to build a cheap system (no more than $350 cdn) for a theater system with XBMC.

I need a blue-ray disc player,
a graphics card that can do 3D blue-ray playback,
Ram any,
motherboard any,
hard drive Preferably SSD (Don't need much space enough for OS and XBMC, some music, movies will be streamed from external 2tb or wifi),
cpu any,
HDMI out,
wifi card,
NO OS needed.
case I'd like a HTPC or small, (something aesthetically pleasing like a dvd or blue-ray player)

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106013
Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130641
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154062
blu ray drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136246
ssd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227811
RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239299

The total comes to $341.

 

[blazorthon]

I don't recommend using a PSU that comes with a case, They are generally very low quality. Also, that memory module states that it is a 204-pin SO-DIMM and the motherboard uses 240 pin DIMMS. They are not compatible. The memory picture looks like a DIMM, but the description clearly states otherwise and is more likely to be correct than the picture.

 

[blazorthon]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

THat is the memory kit that I'd recommend. Having two module is important for this processor.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I don't recommend using a PSU that comes with a case, They are generally very low quality. Also, that memory module states that it is a 204-pin SO-DIMM and the motherboard uses 240 pin DIMMS. They are not compatible. The memory picture looks like a DIMM, but the description clearly states otherwise and is more likely to be correct than the picture.

I thought is said 240 pin. I'm a bit dyslexic sometimes. Also the only reason I suggested a case with a PSU is because if you are going under like $450 that is often your only option.

 

[blazorthon]

I thought is said 240 pin. I'm a bit dyslexic sometimes. Also the only reason I suggested a case with a PSU is because if you are going under like $450 that is often your only option.

With MIR, Corsair's excellent 430w PSU is $25 with free shipping at newegg.com

I don't know if that's not an option for OP because of area, but there's probably a similar deal in other places too.

 

[Wolfshadw]

The problem you're going to run into is the Blu-Ray player. It requires software in order to play back Blu-Ray discs. Not sure if you took that into consideration, but here in the US, that usually adds $100 to the budget.

-Wolf sends

 

[blazorthon]

You should be able to just use something like VLC (does it have Blu-Ray support yet?). There is free software for Blu-Ray movies, although I don't know for sure what supports what. Heck, many Blu-Ray players even throw in a free copy of proprietary software that plays Blu-Ray movies and other Blu-Ray TV.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

well just google, free blu ray player software and something will come up. Before downloading it look up reviews for the software. Or you could just not go through the hassle and get a disc drive and get a cheap blu ray player off amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0076R7F62/ref=sr_1_27_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1345411332&sr=8-27&keywords=blu+ray+player&condition=used

 

[Drewsommer]

I'm installing xbmc on top of windows 7 pro, doesn't windows 7 support encrypted bd playback?

 

[blazorthon]

I don't think that Windows 7 supports Blu-Ray playback by default. I don't thinkthat it even supports DVD playback by default except with WMP and it doesn't support Blu-Ray, although maybe there is a codec for it.

 

[Drewsommer]

Well then I might have to get AnyDvd HD or some other similar software to decode it on the spot. That adds about $120 to the price.