budget HTPC spec ?

hatchetman · 16 Nov 2011 at 19:59

Hi,

as per the thread title I am hoping to build an HTPC on a budget and just want to ensure that I have picked everything that will go together.

I wont be gaming or processing on this (have a good spec PC upstairs for that) and wont need a bluray player either. my main query is if what I have chosen will be quiet enough for sitting below the TV.

Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case - Black Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case - Black £139.99
(£116.66) £139.99
(£116.66)
Samsung SpinPoint F1 160GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (HD161GJ) £71.99
(£59.99) £71.99
(£59.99)
Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 AMD 880G (AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 AMD 880G (AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard £64.98
(£54.15) £64.98
(£54.15)
AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 250 3.00GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 250 3.00GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £49.99
(£41.66) £49.99
(£41.66)
OcUK Value 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low-Voltage Dual Channel Kit OcUK Value 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low-Voltage Dual Channel Kit £29.99
(£24.99) £29.99
(£24.99)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 CPU Cooler (Socket 939 / AM2 / AM3 / 775 / 1155/ 1156 / 1366) Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 CPU Cooler (Socket 939 / AM2 / AM3 / 775 / 1155/ 1156 / 1366) £18.98
(£15.82) £18.98
(£15.82)

I know I could go for a lower spec mobo and processor but want to get a bit of life before upgrading in the future. I would also love a SSD but (alas) the budget cant cater for that. I am aware that I could also lower the budget with a cheaper case but want to keep this for future upgrades.

The only thing I think that is missing from the list is the PSU - can someone please recommend a quiet one at the low end of the price range

thanks

shadow_boxer · 16 Nov 2011 at 20:23

If the system is for streaming movies have a think about getting an Acer Revo or Zotac Z-box. It works out much cheaper than doing a self build like this.

No need for 8GB of RAM in a HTPC. 4GB is more than enough, but as it's so cheap why not?
I wouldn't go for an Athlon II X2. I have have the X2 240 and it's not very power efficient at all and does quite get warm.
If your not after CPU/processing power, consider AMD Zacate, they are much more power efficient, cooler and quieter. They also have the APU which is better than using the motherboards onboard GPU. It will also bit-steam HD audio and HD Blu Ray playback will be better at 23.976fps.
I would double check wether the CPU cooler will fit in that case, you may need a low profile one.
Given the price of SSDs is only just a tiny bit more than the F3 in your basket just go for an SSD. I've got an M4 running off SATAII and in a HTPC it's fantastic. Boots into Windows 7 and XBMC in about 12 seconds. Great if you just want to turn it on to watch a quick show or listen to a bit of music. You could add in a proper 1TB or 2TB green storage drive later.

95thrifles · 16 Nov 2011 at 21:24

Sounds advice above
Oh and welcome to the forums BTW

hatchetman · 17 Nov 2011 at 15:51

thanks for the welcome and info - I had looked at the acer but eventually decided against it.

I took the advice on the mobo and SSD so have decided to go for the following

Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case - Black Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case - Black £139.99
(£116.66) £139.99
(£116.66)
Asus AMD E35M1-M PRO AMD Hudson - micro ATX Asus AMD E35M1-M PRO AMD Hudson - micro ATX £109.99
(£91.66) £109.99
(£91.66)
Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £85.99
(£71.66) £85.99
(£71.66)
Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT25664BA1339) Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT25664BA1339) £24.98
(£20.82) £24.98
(£20.82)
Sub Total : £300.80
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £62.51
Total : £375.06

does this look ok ?

thanks

fogot to add my PSU - looking at OcUK Swift 500W V2 Silent Power Supply @ £17.99

Loke · 17 Nov 2011 at 16:12

What can this do that an apple tv 2, can't streaming off the main computer? Not critiquing, but genuinenly wondering as I'm planning to buy an ATV2, jailbreak it and run XMBC on it, streaming films off Netflix, main PC, music off spotify etc.

shadow_boxer · 17 Nov 2011 at 18:03

@hatchetman, looks good. I would however get another PSU, the OcUK ones are cheap ones can even though your running a low powered system I still wouldn't trust it. Have a look at the Corsair CX430W for a decent budget PSU.

If your after a cheaper case you could consider the "Antec NSK 2480 MATX Desktop Case With 380W EarthWatts PSU." Comes with a decent PSU too.

hatchetman · 17 Nov 2011 at 20:27

shadow_boxer said:
@hatchetman, looks good. I would however get another PSU, the OcUK ones are cheap ones can even though your running a low powered system I still wouldn't trust it. Have a look at the Corsair CX430W for a decent budget PSU.

If your after a cheaper case you could consider the "Antec NSK 2480 MATX Desktop Case With 380W EarthWatts PSU." Comes with a decent PSU too.

thanks for the alternatives - will have a look at the cheaper case and the PSU

double checked my spec and realised that the mobo I picked is single channel so will have to change the memory