HTPC Build

[Intexity]

OK so this is a HTPC build that I am currently pricing out. The original goal was to be as close to $500 without sacrificing quality. The below build came out to 700 dollars but handles everything I wanted to throw at it. Would love some input as I am exhausted at pricing this out.

Case-Rosewill R379 MicroATX - 54.99
Mobo-Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L - 52.99
CPU-Core2Duo E2200 2.2 GHz - 69.99
PSU-Athena Power AP-MP4ATX40 400w - 32.99
GPU-MSI N94GT - 54.99
HDD-Western Digital WD10EADS 1 TB - 89.99
TV Tuner-Happauge 1800 Tuner - 99.99
RAM-Corsair CM2X1024 x2 - 29.98
Blu-Ray Drive-LG GGC H20L - 109.99
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse-Logitech EX110 - 29.99
OS-Windows Home SP3 - 89.99

So what are your thoughts? With the GPU and Mobo combo I will have full HDMI output with what I believe will handle all HDTV signals and full blu-ray support plus should handle light gaming.
Am I going a little overkill on the tuner? I want to be able to record one show while watching another. And the remote is a definite want.
The hard drive seemed like the best choice to keep the power low and storage high.
Any replies greatly appreciated.

 

[brianlee2007]

Intexity, most of the parts looks good, I actually did a build for my friend who originally was going w/ a build similar to what you have here. What I suggest to him was to pay more attention at what I would call 'core parts' which is the Mobo, CPU, & PSU. A do-it-all machine makes good HTPC, but a do-it-all-efficiently-at-lower-power makes great HTPC. Here is some concerns I have for this list:

1) Case: Look good, a bit restricting (for example you may want to consider if it's necessary to get a low profile heatsink due to the height requirement for a regular HS). I found a IN WIN IW-BK623.BN300BL on 'egg it's a little bit thicker (5.5" compared to 3.9") but it's smaller in other two dimensions. (12.8" x 10" x 5.5"), this case gives slightly more room for things like heatsinks and maybe a full size card in too. (Now thinking a bit more, I'm not even sure if that TV card on your list could even fit in that slim case you pick)

2) Mobo: Nothing to complaint about G31 boards (man they are affordable!) but the chipset is kind of outdated and that's almost like setting yourself 3 steps back from the start. I went for a more future proof and already proven chipset (790GX - in this case: BIOSTAR TA790GX XE). Now I know I know, I'm not just another AMD fanboy but when it comes down to performance/power/efficiency/technology 790GX is night and day compared to a G31 hands down. Moreover, 790GX supports HDMI natively so no need for additional half baked video card (that would have taking up more precious space AND wattage) just to do the HDMI job. You can, however, add a low profile (HD3200/3400) for a Hybrid Crossfire late if so deired. Not to mention the much improved SB750 southbridge and everything else that comes standard w/ a 790GX board.

3) CPU: E2200 is great little CPU and good performance/price, but for a 790GX build the clear choice would be an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e. At 2.2ghz the E2200 sips 65w but the 5050e can do similar job at only 45w, it may not mean much but you did mention trying to keep everything low power and 5050e seems to be a better suitor in this perspective.

4) PSU: I found a similar AP PSU also 400W for $25 (Athena Power AP-MPS3ATX40 400W)

5) GPU: HD3200 (Built-in on-board graphic, supports HD, isn't it great?

6) HDD: Good choice

7) TV Tuner: I have 2 tuners and both are AverMedia, so relaying on my experience w/ them (which were pretty good) I picked the AVerMedia AVerTV Combo PCIe MCE ATSC/NTSC/QAM over the one on your list, this is only a couple bucks cheaper but AVerMedia's does have Free Ship

8) RAM: I upped the spec to a 4gb kit from G-Skill (not very necessary but they are just so darn cheap nowadays!)

9) BD Drive: that's what I would've picked if I would buy a BD player right now.

10) Keyboard/Mouse: Again relaying on experience, the Logitech S 510 is perfect for HTPC use, had them for almost 2 years and loving every single minute of it. Never had a problem staying connected unlike others models out there that 'reconnects' all the time.

11) OS: This is a toss up and depends on how you do things. But quite a few HTPC owners I know either use Vista Ultimate or simply a XP MC 2005 because of the MC functionalities. XP MC is about $20 more but if you want to do it right and make your navigation easy MC is the way to go.

the overall build is in a shared list i have on 'egg <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.co.........px?ID=13334828"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/W......l.aspx?ID=13334828"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/Wish...etail.aspx?ID=13334828"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=13334828">https://secure.newegg............334828</a></a></a></a> it's going over the budget a bit I know... but it's a simple fix, since the Case comes w/ a 300w, which is still doable, you can get your AP 400W PSU later (-$26). You can switch the Ram kit back to a 1 stick of 2gb (-$20). and if you really prefer XP SP3 instead you can get that (-$20). With these cut backs you should be able to stay well within your limit. Everything on the list is currently FREE SHIPPING and there is NO REBATE (headaches) to deal with. so basically what you see is what you are paying for

best of luck, err back to werk hehe


b

 

[fffblackmage]

Case-Rosewill R379 MicroATX - 54.99
Mobo-Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L - 52.99
CPU-Core2Duo E2200 2.2 GHz - 69.99
PSU-Athena Power AP-MP4ATX40 400w - 32.99
GPU-MSI N94GT - 54.99
HDD-Western Digital WD10EADS 1 TB - 89.99
TV Tuner-Happauge 1800 Tuner - 99.99
RAM-Corsair CM2X1024 x2 - 29.98
Blu-Ray Drive-LG GGC H20L - 109.99
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse-Logitech EX110 - 29.99
OS-Windows Home SP3 - 89.99

HDD: HDD generally don't use all that much power (compared to cpu and gpu), so you wouldn't be going wrong if you chose a black version instead of green.

CPU: I would get the E5200 instead. Same price as the E2200 on newegg.

PSU: Some people would probably recommend a brand name PSU instead. As an alternative, there's the Corsair 400W psu for $30 AR.

RAM: Like brianlee2007 said, 4GB is cheap, but not necessary either.

 

[brianlee2007]

@fffblackmage

the case his picked is an extra-slim one a ATX psu wont fit, (Corsair 400W was my original choice along w/ PCP&C 370W until i realize the size of the case) and there isnt too many mATX PSUs to pick from out there... The case i picked is similar in style but with a bit more room for him to wiggle around, especially w/ Heatsinks.

b

 

[Intexity]

Brianlee-Tried to view your public list through the link and got stonewalled. Do you remember what you labeled it as? Thanks for the response. will be in and out all day (damn hangover damn unemployed g/f who thinks drinking on Cinco De Mayo is ok)

 

[brianlee2007]

eek.. I just copy/paste the list it looked all jacked up but you get the idea what everything looks like at least. Damn, sounds like you had alot of fun

IN WIN IW-BK623.BN300BL 0.6mm SECC Steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 300W Power Supply
Model #:IW-BK623.BN300BL
Item #:N82E16811108092
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$64.99 -$5.00 Instant $59.99

BIOSTAR TA790GX XE AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #:TA790GX XE
Item #:N82E16813138140
Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy
In Stock
$94.99 -$5.00 Instant $89.99

AVerMedia AVerTV Combo PCIe MCE ATSC/NTSC/QAM Tuner Card w/MCE Remote & L-P Bracket 7 95522 96066 5 PCI-Express x1 Interface
Model #:7 95522 96066 5
Item #:N82E16815100014
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$109.99 -$14.00 Instant $95.99

Athena Power AP-MPS3ATX40 400W ATX12V MicroATX PS3 v 2.2 Power Supply
Model #:AP-MPS3ATX40
Item #:N82E16817338009
Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy
In Stock
$29.99 -$4.00 Instant $25.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor Model ADH5050DOBOX
Model #:ADH5050DOBOX
Item #:N82E16819103298
Return Policyrocessors (CPUs) Return Policy
In Stock
$59.99 $59.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
Model #:F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
Item #:N82E16820231122
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$54.99 -$8.00 Instant $46.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
Model #:WD1001FALS
Item #:N82E16822136284
Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy
In Stock
$119.99 -$20.00 Instant $99.99

Logitech S 510 Silver/Black USB or PS/2 RF Wireless Slim Cordless Desktop
Model #:967557-0403
Item #:N82E16823126180
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$57.99 -$10.00 Instant $47.99

LG Black Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA Model GGC-H20L
Model #:GGC-H20L
Item #:N82E16827136133
Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy
In Stock
$124.99 -$15.00 Instant $109.99

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 SP2B for System Builders
Model #:M93-00294
Item #:N82E16832116049
Return Policy:Software Return Policy
In Stock
$109.99 $109.99

Subtotal: $746.90

'it's going over the budget a bit I know... but it's a simple fix, since the Case comes w/ a 300w, which is still doable, you can get your AP 400W PSU later (-$26). You can switch the Ram kit back to a 1 stick of 2gb (-$20). and if you really prefer XP SP3 instead you can get that (-$20). With these cut backs you should be able to stay well within your limit. Everything on the list is currently FREE SHIPPING and there is NO REBATE (headaches) to deal with.'


b