need help with HTPC build

[Fitseries3]

im building an HTPC setup cause im getting a HDTV friday.

i want something decent but low in price. i want something modern like a p55 setup. gaming is probably not going to take place on this machine. it will be for net browsing, HD video and recording video only.

i have a case and tuner cards already but i need

mobo
cpu
ram
video card (MUST BE LOW PROFILE)
hdd
odd (blueray if price is right)
psu

im looking to spend as little as possible within reason. lower is better.

newegg lists would be great... post away.

 

[King Wookie]

I'm no expert, but based on my research, a C2D should be more than ample, but I gather you want something more futureproof.

AM3 seems good value at the mo. Unless you are waiting for i3.

And ATI cards seem a better option.

Just my ramblings.

 

[Fitseries3]

im an intel and nvidia person but i'll keep an open mind. im more open on the video card than i am cpu.

 

[newtekie1]

I would assume the case is mATX, but just want to be sure?

 

[Fitseries3]

yes. MATX

 

[gonzominium]

have you looked into the mITX boards with intel atom, and nvidea ion chipset. it's low power and passively cooled which is ideal for htpc. most have a mini pcie slot where you can add an ssd for even more silence http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500027&cm_re=itx-_-13-500-027-_-Product here is one i like. I'm an AMD/ATI guy but this board has got me impressed

 

[Fitseries3]

dont need silence. has to be matx. no m-itx. sorry.

 

[erocker]

Proc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681
Board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406
No video card needed
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148327 (run it at Cas 6)

 

[Fitseries3]

Proc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681
Board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406
No video card needed
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148327 (run it at Cas 6)

nice. i can go with cheaper ram though. nothing special needed.

is there a company other than asus that makes a similar mobo?

 

[newtekie1]

Intel Core i5-750
ASRock P55M Pro
4GB OCZ Gold DDR3-1066(Use Promocode OCZTEN to get 10% off)
Zotac 9600GT Low-Profile w/ Native HDMI
Seagate Barracude LP 1TB
OCZ ModXStream Pro 500w Modular PSU
Lite-On Blu-Ray combo drive

That is what I came up with based on a modern Intel build requirements. If it was me though, I would go with a dual-core 775 build, or a AM3 build with integrated graphics(or the 9600GT I suggested).

 

[Fitseries3]

BR drives are damn expensive still. i may have to hold off on that idea for a while.

i can get i5 750 at microcenter for $150 so that helps keep the cost down.

i like that video card.

is 1tb needed? would 500gb suffice? i wont be recording alot and most of my stuff is already on my main rig's 1tb drive.

 

[erocker]

i can get i5 750 at microcenter for $150 so that helps keep the cost down.

That AMD dual core is half that price and is more than what is needed for a HTPC build. Any of the 785G boards are fine, but the Asus Evo is the best of the bunch. Asus + AMD have always gone good together. I just wouldn't bother to use a Nvidia card with a HTPC. ATi's audio over HDMI works perfectly and image quality in video is superior.

You don't need much for a HTPC, mine consists of:

s939 3800+ X2, X1950Pro AGP, 2gb ddr 400. It will playback any video file at any resolution without a problem and has performance to spare. Spending $150 on a processor for a HTPC is not a wise investment.

 

[Fitseries3]

so the integrated video on the amd board doesnt cause the NB to overheat or anything does it?

 

[erocker]

so the integrated video on the amd board doesnt cause the NB to overheat or anything does it?

Nope. Well, maybe if it's a DFI, but the Asus Evo 785g I used in my brothers rig idles along at 34c with the onboard graphics enabled.

 

[Fitseries3]

how about when playing 1080p content though? just curious

 

[erocker]

Oh yeah, works great. Though I have an extrememly slow 1st gen. Blue Ray drive that is tempermental, once it's playing not a problem at all.

 

[Fitseries3]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...35241,N82E16813128397,N82E16813128399&bop=And

which of those should i get?

and you say athon II 240?

perhaps i get something used?

 

[sneekypeet]

Nope. Well, maybe if it's a DFI, but the Asus Evo 785g I used in my brothers rig idles along at 34c with the onboard graphics enabled.

Your mATX with a scalding NB wasnt a DFI

 

[brandonwh64]

I have a M3A78-CM with ATI HD 3200 Onboard and its a AM2+/AM3 mATX that i might be letting go soon

 

[newtekie1]

BR drives are damn expensive still. i may have to hold off on that idea for a while.

If you don't care about burning from the machine, and you probably don't, a standard Blu-Ray Reader Only goes for $60 on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

You can find them cheaper if you look, I think fry's just had a sale on one for $40.

 

[Fitseries3]

no burning but i would like 1 drive that can read all disks. not just BDroms and it seems some of the BR drives are BDrom only

 

[newtekie1]

The one I linked reads everything. Most sold now should read everything.

 

[Fitseries3]

id like to go cheaper if i can find one...

 

[Delta6326]

This is a good htpc
$360.95
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3
Proc: AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz And if you want to save more money AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz either one is good
Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) you can of course go with a little slower one to save money
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB
Drive: Sony Optiarc Black Or switch that for a BD, only difference in these is that the second one is faster but for a price
LITE-ON Black

EDIT forgot to say for a psu if you need one OCZ Fatal1ty 550W its a good deal right now save $20 and its easily enough power i did some calculations and all you need is a 300w PSU and up if you can list your case, im not for sure what size stuff would fit

 

[Fitseries3]

i can get cheap ddr3 for like $40 so i dont need anything expensive.

i like the board but im puzled at the difference between it and the ma785gpmt-ud2h thats a few $ more.