Finally building after 12 years! Blu Rays, Games, and Audio - Oh my!

[bkdreher]

Thanks for viewing my first post!
I've been doing some research and I've decided that I want to build my own PC. Hmm, I think I'm in the right place! Any experienced advice would be helpful.

My goal is to use it more like an HTPC and have an HDMI output from the PC to an HDTV (acronyms!!). I would mostly be doing basic multitasking, followed by watching Blu Rays and playing video games. Will I have any issues with HDMI sound with the parts or do/should I get a soundcard? Using all of the components, I'm pretty much at my budget limit.


Anyway, here is my projected build:

MoBo: ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AMD 970 & SB950 ATX DDR3 800 AMD - AM3+
Processor: AMD FX-4300 Vishera 3.8GHz - AM3+ quad core
GPU: PowerColor AX7750 1GBD5-DH Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800)
SSD: SanDisk SDSSDP-128G-G25 SATA III
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500 GB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s ST500DM002
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W
Optical Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-R BW-12B1ST
WiFi Adapter: ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter
Case: nMEDIAPC 6000B ATX Media Center
Windows 7

TV: Sony Bravia 55EX500

 

[butremor]

For htpc build i believe APU build would be more appropriate.
Something like this http://pcpartpicker.com/p/M4Gp

 

[Wolfshadw]

Looks like you have a solid build. It should be able to modestly handle any game on the market today. You shouldn't have any issues with HDMI audio and you will not need a separate sound card. Just a few points:

1) Maybe it's just me, but if I'm doing anything more than just surfing the web, I avoid wireless networks like the plague. If at all possible, go with a wired network connection.
2) You're going to need some blu-ray playing software. Blu-ray discs do not natively play in Windows (7 or 8). This is often a missed cost and it normally runs between $60-$100 for the software. If possible, go with this Lite-On iHES212-08 Blu-Ray drive - Retail. Retail packages (as opposed to bare drives/OEMs) often include the required software.
3) How are you going to interact with the HTPC? Do you already have a wireless keyboard/mouse/remote control?

Of course, all of these items come at an added cost and if you're already at your budget limit, then perhaps an AMD APU would be a better purchase for now. You can always add a discrete graphics card in the future (when more funds are available).

Here's a build going with an AMD APU that is under your budget and covers the points I made, above:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4 ATX FM2 Motherboard ($94.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Sandisk 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($26.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 6000B HTPC Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHES212-08 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($82.91 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($28.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $782.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-25 09:55 EDT-0400)

-Wolf sends

 

[bkdreher]

Thanks for the input fellas. How did I not know about pcpartpicker! Anyway seems like I will be taking some of your advice. So it's givin me an estimated wattage of under 200W... I should be good with a 430W Corsair then? And if I get a discrete GPU in the future, what happens to the integrated graphics on the AMD... Could I use both somehow? or would it simply become useless as I rely on the GPU?

Also, I do not have the ability to use a Wired connection unless I buy a 30ft Ethernet cable and drill some small holes through a wall. I mean, if that's the way to ago (I understand your point about WiFi) then I may consider doing that.