Low budget HTPC Build

sk7771

Junior Member
Jun 10, 2008
2
0
0
We recently purchased a 52" 1080p HDTV and I'm looking to build an HTPC to go along with it. I'd like to keep the total cost under $500.

The HTPC will be primarily used for:
  • -Playing DVDs (regular ones for now, but will probably purchase a Blu Ray drive in the future maybe around Christmas time depending on deals)
  • -Watching shows from and browsing the internet
Basically only planning on doing normal tasks since I already have a high-end machine for gaming and any sort of photo or video editing that needs to be done.

Here's my current build:
OS:
Vista 32 bit Home Premium:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116202 ? 95 + 0

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128090 ? 90 + 7

Based on my research this mobo has excellent HD playback and if I needed I could also add a standalone graphics card in the future. I'm still open to suggestions if there is something better, though.

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103212 ? 70 + 0

I've never built a computer with an AMD processor before, would this one be adequate for an HTPC?

RAM:
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz 240-pin DDR2 Memory
http://www.buy.com/prod/crucia...loc/101/202541818.html - 20 + 0

CASE:
Antec Aluminum Veris Fusion Black 430 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case with IR receiver ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129030 ? 200 + 20

I'm looking for something along the lines of this -- I want something similar in look but much cheaper (~50) any recommendations?

HD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136074 ? 70 + 0

Keyboard/Mouse:
Looking for something that would work reliably from 10-20 feet with good battery life for less than $50.

Thanks for your help.



 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Good choices for the most part. The case is kind of pricey though. I know it looks sharp and all, but are you sure you want to blow 2/5 of your whole budget just on a case? You can knock an easy hundred off by going with an Antec NSK2480 case. It is the same chassis and same (but lower wattage) PSU. It just doesn't have the VFD and volume.

Regarding playing back DVDs, I did that for a while, but ended up just getting an upconverting DVD player. For me, was much simpler to just kick back with a remote control and use an appliance.

As for the wireless keyboard/mouse, I haven't looked too hard, but haven't really seen anything affordable that I liked and which had enough range. Most products are made for desktop use and don't have the range. For HTPC use, range would be nice as would some kind of pointing device built-in (trackpoint, trackball, touchpad). I'm still using a USB keyboard and mouse on an unpowered hub with an extension cable. Reaches anywhere I need it to go and never have to charge batteries or have it go dead. Not as sexy as wireless stuff though, but that doesn't bother me. (IMO besides the convenience and sexiness of not having wires, wireless technology is otherwise a PITA.)
 

Chosonman

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2005
1,136
0
0
If you're planning on playing 1080p movies i'm not sure how well the integrated graphics solution will work. I had problems playing "Earth" on 1080p with my ATI HD3850 256MB.
 

Crizza

Senior member
Nov 11, 1999
654
0
0
I'm using the full ATX version of that motherboard with an x2 5000 and it plays 1080p awesome in Vista. In MCE 2005, I had issue with
1080p, but Vista seemed to have fixed the sync'ing errors I was getting. You're definitely on the right track with that machine.

If I ever decide to game on that machine, I like the fact that I can throw in a 3850 or something and get hybrid crossfire going.
 

sk7771

Junior Member
Jun 10, 2008
2
0
0
Thanks for the replies.

I wasn't seriously considering that case due to price but I liked the look of it and was wondering if anyone had experience with good cases that looked similar but for a much lower price.

I decided to save some money and switch down to:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103212 ? 60+ 0

From reading the review on Tom's Hardware it doesn't seem like this mobo will have any problem with 1080p playback.

http://www.tomshardware.com/re...0g-chipset,1785-3.html

Edit: I think I'm going to go with the Antec New Solution NSK2480
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129034