First HTPC

tomer_yellinek

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
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10,510
Hey - I'm looking to build my first HTPC.

My primary goal is to play 1080p video stored locally (not streamed) so I guess all I need is a system that can playback my content flawlessly.

this is what I'm looking at now (might be overkill):

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Mini ITX AMD
Memory: CORSAIR 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMV4GX3M1A1333C9
Storage: Western Digital WD Green WD20EARX 2TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case
Case Fan: Masscool FD08025S1M4 31.7 CFM 80mm Fan ($2.86 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Masscool FD08025S1M4 31.7 CFM 80mm Fan ($2.86 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply
BD: LITE-ON Black Internal 12X Blu-ray Combo SATA Model ihes112-04 - OEM
Total: $462


Any advice on whats missing/not needed in the build?

Thanks,

Tom
 

burritobob

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
1,082
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11,460
CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($103.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.79 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Mac Mall)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $411.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Add the fans you want, this is cheaper than the build you were looking at by $50, I tried my best and the mobo is compatible etc etc.

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($103.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.79 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Mac Mall)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($56.23 @ Amazon)
Total: $449.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Blu-Ray player this time around o_O
 

tomer_yellinek

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
8
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10,510


Good catch - I meant to post this CPU:

AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6550D AD3850WNGXBOX
 

tomer_yellinek

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
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10,510
About the case - is this a betetr option than the one I posted above?

hec Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC Steel 7K09BBA30FNRX Micro ATX Media Center 300W Power Supply / HTPC Case

same price but in includes the PSU so i'll be saving ~$40.

Thoughts?
 

diellur

Distinguished
Apr 7, 2011
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19,460
A HTPC should ideally be quiet so it doesn't intrude when watching movies etc, which means it needs to be cool. The build in my sig works silently...some newer Ivybridge CPUs have HD4000 graphics which are even better for HTPCs.
 

tomer_yellinek

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
8
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10,510
Quick question - do I need a CPU cooler? (like ZALMAN CNPS8900 Quiet 110mm Ultra Quiet Slim CPU Cooler)

This is my build so far:

CPU: AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU
Motherboard: ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Mini ITX AMD
Memory: CORSAIR 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMV4GX3M1A1333C9
Storage: Western Digital WD Green WD20EARX 2TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case
Case Fan: Masscool FD08025S1M4 31.7 CFM 80mm Fan ($2.86 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Masscool FD08025S1M4 31.7 CFM 80mm Fan ($2.86 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply
BD: LITE-ON Black Internal 12X Blu-ray Combo SATA Model ihes112-04 - OEM

Total: $462
 

tomer_yellinek

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
8
0
10,510


good comment about the RAM - already changed to two sticks

Looks like the CPU comes with a fan and heatsink so problem solved

I also changed the Mini-ITX MOBO to Micro-ITX to save $15