$400 HTPC Media Streamer

Transmaniacon

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Hi guys,

I am looking to build a HTPC that I can use to stream content from my desktop, as well as stream various Internet sources.


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: 2 weeks

Budget Range: $400, less is always a plus!

System Usage from Most to Least Important: streaming Netflix, Hulu, vudu, 1080P content with lossless audio via XBMC

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No, would prefer to run Linux if I can do so without hindering audio/video quality.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon

Location: City, State/Region, Country - North Carolina

Parts Preferences: whatever will work best, prefer intel CPUs.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1080P

Additional Comments: quiet and conservative

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: straightforward and easy method to stream content from my PC and the Internet.

I have some space requirements, 7" or less in height, and no wider than 14", depth can be up to 20".

I have a spare Corsair 650TX PSU so if that can be incorporated then great. And if I am better off just buying a PS3 or something, I am open to any and all suggestions! Thanks for reading.
 

bodeen2012

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Feb 5, 2013
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19,160
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FQ80
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FQ80/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FQ80/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($71.68 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($27.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.88 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $359.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 01:02 EST-0500)

if you decide to go linux it does take a little work to get netflix to work on it
 
500GB HDD is cheaper and 500W psu is cheaper
8GB may be considered but a pure streamer really won't need it (can't resue ram if ever upgrading to 8GB on this board)

The PS4 and Xbox Infinity are also good options and you can game on them better but likely to cost about $400-$600 at launch and not arrive till holiday season

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($71.68 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($25.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $325.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 01:16 EST-0500)
 

Transmaniacon

Distinguished
Thanks for the help, seems like I could just get a PS3 to do this for half the price. I already have a very capable gaming PC and have no interest in console gaming.

As far as the builds go, those seem great. The case however is too wide, and I can drop the optical drive. I also would rather stick in a SSD simce this wont be storing anything. What do you guys think of this case? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133214
 
You'll need an mITX mb to use in that case which will bump up prices

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($71.68 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X-ITX Mini ITX FM2 Motherboard ($105.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($25.48 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial V4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($61.68 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $264.81
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 13:43 EST-0500)
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-3850 2.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI A75A-G35 ATX FM1 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $387.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 14:09 EST-0500)