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BestConfigs: Home Theater PC

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  • Home Theatre
  • Tom's Hardware
  • Systems
  • Components
Last response: in Systems
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May 13, 2014 3:53:16 PM

It's that time again! Time to update the Tom's Hardware BestConfigs! Once again, we are opening the field to user recommendations to get the best consensus for the absolute best of the best in each category. Post the best configuration you can put together for the following build category and our editorial and mod team will pick 5 of the best to be put up to a public vote right here in the Systems forum. The top-ranking build will go on to become one of Tom's Hardware BestConfigs and you'll get the credit for having put together a brilliant build with a special credit in the feature article.

Post your entries to this thread for the category of:
Home Theater PC

Stay within $700 (without shipping) and no need to include OS, monitor, mouse/keyboard. To keep things fair and level the playing field, we ask that you restrict your product links to Newegg or Amazon. Please be sure to format your list of components as follows:

Joe's Hulu/Netflixstravaganza Rig
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price

See below for quick-copy/paste text of the BBcode.

  1. [b]Joe's Hulu/Netflixstravaganza Rig[/b]
  2. Processor: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  3. Motherboard: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  4. RAM: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  5. Graphics Card: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  6. Hard Drive: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  7. Case: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  8. Power Supply: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  9. Cooling: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]
  10. DVD Burner: [urlExt=http://Link to Component for Sale]Component Name and Component Price[/urlExt]


We encourage users to use PCPartPicker's System Build for speedy construction. Do not post a link to your build, but rather please be sure to export as BBCode for a quick copy/paste as a response here, so users can easily see your component selections.

Good luck, and may the best builds win!

More about : bestconfigs home theater

May 13, 2014 10:31:38 PM

AMD Radeon's APU based Low Power HTPC

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($107.75 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML04B HTPC Case ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $683.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-14 01:54 EDT-0400)
May 13, 2014 10:33:52 PM

Powerful HTPC

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($41.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($97.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML04B HTPC Case ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $698.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-14 01:32 EDT-0400)
Related resources
May 14, 2014 6:39:02 AM

sadams04's Well Rounded HTPC

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($97.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($47.83 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($60.98 @ Newegg)
TV Tuner: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250 Hybrid TV Tuner ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $695.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-14 09:36 EDT-0400)
May 14, 2014 7:26:03 PM

Screwy's Living Room Entertainment box:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($62.79 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($79.31 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: FSP Group 300W 80+ Certified Micro ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($68.85 @ Amazon)
Other: Hauppage 1080i TV Tuner card ($59.99)
Total: $656.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-13 19:27 EDT-0400)

In my view, an HTPC should be able to watch/record TV and Blu Ray, and be able to do light gaming - a living room all-around entertainment device. Therefore, I put in AMD's flagship A10-7850K, 8 GB of DDR3-2400 RAM, a large 2 TB HDD, a TV card and a blu-ray burner, and put it in the small Silverstone HTPC case. The 7850K with this should manage 30-60 fps in most older games at 1080p, or modern games at 1366x768 at low-to-medium settings, while maintaining a small footprint.
May 15, 2014 3:21:21 AM

Joseph's Home Entertainment & Gaming Hybrid PC

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Grey 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($98.28 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $684.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 22:16 EDT-0400)

I figured i would do what no one else did and threw in a video card for Indie games and some AAA games, such as BioShock Infinite, on medium to high settings for console-style gaming at 30 fps or above. The video card's HDMI ports enable a convenient connection to an HDTV as well as an auxiliary monitor. The Core i3 processor adds some kick to this HTPC, making this like a hybrid fusion of a PC, multimedia player, and XBOX 360 console rolled into one.
May 15, 2014 9:10:05 PM

shortstuff_mt's DVR replacement HTPC build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($56.79 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.81 @ Amazon)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
TV Tuner Card: Ceton InfiniTV 4 PCIe - 4-channel Internal Cable TV Tuner Card for CableCARD ($199.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $674.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-16 00:07 EDT-0400)

This HTPC is a solid all-around choice. The CPU is powerful enough for HTPC tasks, it has an SSD for overall system responsiveness, the 2TB drive will come in handy for storing media, it is ready to play Blu-Ray disks out of the box, and it can replace your DVR with the 4-channel cable TV tuner.
May 18, 2014 12:49:39 PM

Ivan's gaming htcp

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($104.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: AMD R9 Gamer Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.11 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($11.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad
Total: $678.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-18 15:48 EDT-0400)

This pc can easily do gaming and will be perfect for steam os. I added the logitech k400 because it's just needed with htcps and I had some money to spare.
May 18, 2014 8:03:53 PM

to me an htpc should roughly be the same price as a next gen console like the ps4/xbone so around $500 max.
May 18, 2014 8:04:49 PM

Nikoli's Bluray HTPC

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($38.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.15
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-23 23:33 EDT-0400)
May 18, 2014 8:53:00 PM

G-Unit's "Portable Gaming Powerhouse" Rig:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3420 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($75.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M550 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($95.37 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.81 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec ISK 300-150 Mini ITX Desktop Case w/150W Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $572.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-18 23:51 EDT-0400)

For some reason PC Part Picker is saying that the Antec ISK can't support low profile GPUs when it clearly does have an expansion slot. I flagged the PCPP team and let them know.
May 23, 2014 3:45:59 PM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($72.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $658.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-23 18:45 EDT-0400)
May 30, 2014 6:02:09 PM

Sonny's Console Pwner HTPC Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130T 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($127.49 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($52.05 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Black2 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Card Reader: Sabrent 74-In-1 3.5-Inch Internal Flash Media Card Reader/writer with USB Port (CR-USNT) ($6.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $693.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 21:00 EDT-0400)
June 30, 2014 12:45:50 PM

jmracerboy's 'Invite all your friends to your house only for the troll PC to break' Home Theatre System

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-T4-18PK-R1 70.0 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($37.25 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $697.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
July 7, 2014 9:00:53 AM

OMG I'm happy to see this thread - I wanted to build a cheap-as-possible audio-only station to feed a good DAC and amplifier. Joe, any possibility of adding a low-end build? I'm already removing the SSD from g-unit1111's build in my mind.

Does an HTPC have to be quiet as a basic requirement?
!