HTPC Spec check

[chrisgt]

What are peoples thoughts on the below? Looking for a "budget" HTPC, to do the usual - watch Blu-rays/rips on my TV.

My understanding is that the CPU/memory isn't as important, all I'll be using the PC for is browsing the net and playing videos...is this assumption correct?

 

[Reaper 392]

processor is somewhat important. you want something that can cope with 1080p stuff easily and quickly so its worth spending a bit on that, other than that the cheaper stuff is just fine

however, there are a few other things i would change on the build:

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI H67MA-E35 Intel H67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Micro-ATX Motherboard - (Sandybridge) **B3 REVISION** £61.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB SATA 6Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (ST2000DL003) £59.99
1 x Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £51.98
1 x LG CH10LS20 10x BluRay-ROM / 16x DVD±RW Lightscribe Drive - Black (Retail) £47.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply (CMPSU-430CXUKV2) £37.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G) £26.99
Total : £298.93 (includes shipping : £10.00).

blu ray drive is retail, so you wont have to spend ~£10 on software to play your blu rays

PSU is far more energy efficient, far more reliable and wont take any components out when it dies. you should NEVER go for a cheap PSU, there is literally no reason for a cheap PSU to go inside a PC

i removed the graphics card because the onboard graphics is plenty for blu rays. however, if there is something that the graphics card does that the onboard doesnt that you need then feel free to add it back in because its a cracking deal

i assume you already have a case you can use

 

[chrisgt]

Thanks for the reply. Changes look good, any particular reason why you went for the CPU? And thanks for the heads up on the OEM vs. retail Blu-ray drive!

So that motherboard will have an HDMI output? Stupid question I know, but will the HDMI be the only connection between the PC and TV? HDMI will pass the sound to the TV speakers, right?

Yes, have a case.