New HTPC/Streaming Client and Host PC

[Rader2146]

Hey everyone, new guy here and looking for some feedback.

There are actually 2 PC in this build. The main machine that will be used for everyday computing, ripping/encoding, OTA HDTV PVR, and storage. No gaming. The HTPC/client machine will be used primarily as an WMC "Extender" typically at 720p with the occasional 1080p, and for Nexflix/Hulu streaming in HD.

Main PC Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Dual TV Tuner w/ MPEG-2 Encoder PCI-E x1 ($99.99)
Total: $443.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-22 16:43 EST-0500)

Peripherals and storage will be carried over from my current PC that is being retired.

HTPC Build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A4-5300 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste ($3.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Onyx 32GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($44.98 @ Outlet PC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apex DM-387 HTPC Case w/275W Power Supply ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Enermax UC-8EB 24.0 CFM 80mm Fan ($6.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $293.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-22 16:44 EST-0500)


If you couldnt tell from the parts breakdown and prices, this is a "budget build". I dont necessarily have a capped budget, but I dont want to spend more than I need to for the desired result.

I am open to suggestions. Thanks!

 

[LoveMachine]

The OCZ Onyx drive for the HTPC is very old and slow. Newegg shows it as Discontinued, and it's numbers don't look good. Add $20 to the budget and a world of faster, larger SSDs come into play.

 

[infoiltrator]

True.
$50-60 should find a good (current) 60 GB SSD.
I have read the crucial M4 60 GB is the only Crucial to avoid. One review found the Samsung 840 120 GB lacking (n0 64 GB, larger 840s and 840 Pro's are good)
I've fund 120-128 GB SSDs for $80-90, for what it is worth.
newegg eblast 72 hour sale Sandisk Ultra Plus $90
UMM, best 64 GB prices $65-75 at the moment, wait for sale

 

[Rader2146]

Good catch, did notice it was discontinued.

I didnt realize the A55 chipset only had SATA II so I've upgraged the MB to an A75 chipset and found a different SSD that fit's the budget.


Storage: A-Data XPG SX900 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-E35 FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ($56.99)
New Total: $330.92

I'd figure the additional $30 is worth the performance bump, and I'm not a a big hurry so I can wait for the sales to come along and piece it together. The prices on the APU's dropped today, so I'm probably going to pick them up soon and wait for a decent price drop on the rest. It's pretty easy with the PCParts Picker alerts.

 

[colonelciller]

how about a fanless case? http://www.streacom.com/

HTPC's DO NOT need fast disks... the only reason (and a very good reason) for a SSD in an HTPC is --> zero noise

if your media will be located on the other computer you should only need a very small SSD... save money there