Cheap HTPC!

spenncerr

spenncerr

spenncerr

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Joined
4 Jul 2011
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690
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United Kingdom
I've made threads here regarding a HTPC for myself, but a friend recently asked me for a build.

What's the cheapest I could grab which can do:

  • Torrents
  • HD Movies
  • Web Browsing
  • Music, etc.

I'd need just the PC itself, no monitor or peripherals. As my friend will be connecting this via HDMI to a 55" HD TV.

Thanks guys.
 
Well you should know then that llano is a popular choice for a HTPC. The a75 mobo gives HDMI output and the llano IGP is good much better than the SB offering.

When is he thinking of buying? The offers change on wednesday so if he doesnt order before then what we spec now will most likely need adjusting again with the new offers.
 
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/403?vs=405

YOUR BASKET
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) £77.99
1 x Asus P8H61-I Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £69.95
1 x Thermaltake Element Q mini-ITX HTPC Case - 220W Power Supply £56.99
1 x Intel Pentium G840 2.80GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £52.79
1 x Xebec HTPC/Console Handheld Keyboard £34.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply (CMPSU-430CXUKV2) £34.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX) £19.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-7280S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £443.65 (includes shipping : FREE).



That's a small form factor sandybridge setup. He could add a cheap GPU if the IGP isn't up to his needs. Some of the parts are out of stock but like you said it's just to give you an idea.

Expect to see some llano builds but if you are not adding a bluray drive the better IGP probably isnt necessary and the 1155 mobo does support a better range of CPUs as upgrades later
 
 
spenncerr said:
I don't think he was looking to spend that much at all. We don't need the DVD Drive or Windows though.

And that keyboard is also not needed. Thank you for the start though.
Click to expand...

Your welcome!

You gave no budget and cheap cheap isn't necessarily the best option. If you use the cheap llano mobos for example you lose the HDMI output so then need to spend out on a GPU or the next chipset up. My case was dearer than freddies but then it's much smaller and wouldn't look as out of place next to the tv.

Has your friend not considered an i3 laptop and just run that through the TV through HDMI......they should be around £300

I included the keyboard as it's designed for HTPCs, what you dont like or need don't use....simples ;)
 
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