First HTPC build

[shelaby]

Hey guys
you were all really helpful when helping me put together my main rig that I want to ask for your input on my first HTPC build. I have wanted to do this for many years but never really had the time. Since I just upgraded and I have some parts left over I figured I might be able to use them. TIA for your input!

I guess a better question....is it worth it trying to build an HTPC using the parts listed below?


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. HTPC, no HDTV yet, but would like to eventually be able to play 1080p video

2. What YOUR budget is. somewhere in the 300$ ballpark, if that is at all possible

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA, will mostly have to be used parts if it is worth using the parts listed below

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. no preference, though I would like to use my opty 165

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
CPU - Opteron 165
Ram - 2x1gb kingston ktm-m50 DDR400, 1x1gb Kingston KTD8300.1G DDR400, 2x512mb corsair value select ddr400, some combination of those sticks
PSU - Thermaltake TR2-430w PSU

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. I have not sorry =X

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. whatever you guys recommend, would like to stay around stock if the opty can handle it, but willing to OC to a point, just want it to be quiet if additional cooling is necessary

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. no gaming, got my main rig for that

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? over the next couple months

Let me know if this is at all feasible with the hardware I listed
Again, thanks for all your input!!

 

[piasabird]

I would go with a newer processor/motherboard/DDR3 RAM. Just my opinion.

There may be some integrated AMD motherboards that might work with that.

 

[Zap]

Good luck finding a new socket 939 motherboard these days.

$500 can get you all new parts. Just sayin'.

 

[shelaby]

Good luck finding a new socket 939 motherboard these days.

$500 can get you all new parts. Just sayin'.

crap, meant 300$ =X (yea i just upgraded my main rig for ~500 so thats where that # came from)

I had a hunch it might not be worth it, but thought I'd give you guys a challenge =D

also, parts do not need to be new so if you think its even feasible, let me knw

 

[shelaby]

I guess a better question....is it worth it trying to build an HTPC using those parts?

 

[Binky]

What OS?

If you don't own a motherboard for that CPU, I wouldn't spend money on one. A super budget board and CPU can be purchased for as low as $50-$100 (Sempron -> A3300 or G530), so spending $50 or so on a board might be unwise. Your power supply should be usable.

At the extreme low end, you could grab a Sempron 145 for $26 and watch for a cheap motherboard. There have been a few recently for $25-$50 after rebate. Or, an AMD A3300 or an Intel G530 with motherboard should be about $100. Add 8gb of memory for about $30-$40 and you've got a solid foundation.

As a cheaper alternative, look at the media streamer boxes for about $100.

 

[Chapbass]

Do you need storage for it? or is it just a front end and having some sort of storage server behind it?

 

[shelaby]

Do you need storage for it? or is it just a front end and having some sort of storage server behind it?

Well my main rig has 1.5tb but I would be looking to have separate storage for the HTPC, i see microcenter has 1.5TB drives for 100$ right now

 

[shelaby]

What OS?

If you don't own a motherboard for that CPU, I wouldn't spend money on one. A super budget board and CPU can be purchased for as low as $50-$100 (Sempron -> A3300 or G530), so spending $50 or so on a board might be unwise. Your power supply should be usable.

At the extreme low end, you could grab a Sempron 145 for $26 and watch for a cheap motherboard. There have been a few recently for $25-$50 after rebate. Or, an AMD A3300 or an Intel G530 with motherboard should be about $100. Add 8gb of memory for about $30-$40 and you've got a solid foundation.

As a cheaper alternative, look at the media streamer boxes for about $100.

OS - I guess windows 7? What are the other options? Havent dabbled in linux since early years of college (6 years ago)

 

[mfenn]

Well my main rig has 1.5tb but I would be looking to have separate storage for the HTPC, i see microcenter has 1.5TB drives for 100$ right now

OS - I guess windows 7? What are the other options? Havent dabbled in linux since early years of college (6 years ago)

$100 for HDD + $100 for Windows is $200 of your $300 budget. You need to save up some more money to make the build reasonable.

 

[SViscusi]

If you absolutely do not need windows, it is doable.

Llano & Msi mobo combo $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.831245
4GB 1600 DDR3 Ram $25 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231313
Patriot Torx 32GB SSD $50 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220580
Silverstone MILO HTPC Case $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163174
or any other case that grabs you, newegg has a few in that range

Reuse your psu, add a blu ray drive and it should be pretty close to what you need, but you would have to use XMBC Live or any other distro and install XBMC. The negatives to using XBMC on Linux would limeted protected streams, ie no Netflix, BluRay would need to be hacked, but it's a decent platform.

You might be able to sell some of your components to someone else who's in a similar situation and stretch your budget a little more to include Windows.

Alternatively, start hitting up ebay, craigslist, or the For Sale/Trade forum here and try and source a mobo, add a case, and a lowend gpu for video decoding.

 

[shelaby]

If you absolutely do not need windows, it is doable.

Llano & Msi mobo combo $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.831245
4GB 1600 DDR3 Ram $25 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231313
Patriot Torx 32GB SSD $50 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220580
Silverstone MILO HTPC Case $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163174
or any other case that grabs you, newegg has a few in that range

Reuse your psu, add a blu ray drive and it should be pretty close to what you need, but you would have to use XMBC Live or any other distro and install XBMC. The negatives to using XBMC on Linux would limeted protected streams, ie no Netflix, BluRay would need to be hacked, but it's a decent platform.

You might be able to sell some of your components to someone else who's in a similar situation and stretch your budget a little more to include Windows.

Alternatively, start hitting up ebay, craigslist, or the For Sale/Trade forum here and try and source a mobo, add a case, and a lowend gpu for video decoding.

awesome thanks, ill look into that stuff

 

[wirednuts]

that opteron IS fast enough to play 1080p video, my mom has used her 3800+ X2 (which is about the same thing, a little slower) as an htpc for years now, it has been great.

and, if you would like, i could sell you her motherboard and ram. she is upgrading because she wants a small form factor machine that can fit in her entertainment center.

i wouldnt be able to ship it until next saturday, but if youre interested im sure we can work on a good price for you. i was just going to ebay the stuff.

i *think* it is an msi motherboard. it was one of the first boards to have hdmi built in, but ill warn you i still had to add a video card because the hdmi port on that motherboard wasnt compatible with her vizio tv for some reason. it does work on other devices though. and again, she wont need the video card anymore so if you wish i can add that in too. again, if i remember right its a hd2600 or something like that.

 

[wirednuts]

OS - I guess windows 7? What are the other options? Havent dabbled in linux since early years of college (6 years ago)

i would go win7 if i were you. win7's media center interface is the cats ass.