My first HTPC spec - Comments Please

[foofaroo]

Hi

Since our topfield PVR has broken I've decided to make the leap into HTPCs.

What I want it to be capable of:

Watching/recording tv
Watching DVD/Blu-ray at 1080p (maybe backing up discs)
Streaming iPlayer/4od etc
Internet
Not games

Priorities
1st Achieving the above quickly and smoothly
2nd Costing between £500 and £600
3rd Quiet
4th Size

I appreciate with a fixed budget I'm unlikely to achieve all the above but they are my priorities in order.

My attempt at a spec

Case: Silverstone LC17B £70
PSU: Any suggestions?
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L Intel G31 Express 775 Motherboard £35
Graphics Card: Asus HD 5450 1GB GDDR3 DVI VGA HDMI Out Low Profile PCI-E Graphics Card £55
Processor: Intel E5300 Pentium DC S775 2MB 2.6GHz £54
RAM: Kingston 2 x 2gb £58
HDD: I have a 1tb Western Digital Caviar Green which I had installed in the Topfield
TV Card: Hauppauge WinTV Nova-TD 500 £60 (Would add another card for Freeview HD when that comes)
Blu-ray: LG 10xBD £85
Software: Windows 7 64bit Home Premium £70
Keyboard: Keysonic £30

Total £520ish without PSU

Would be equally happy with an AMD build.

I don't have an amp so sound through the telly is a must (for now).

Your advice is desperately needed.

Many thanks

Nick

 

[foofaroo]

@Trance would do you see as the problems with the case?

@Boff_in I have had a look for an appropriate PSU and come up with this - Akasa PaxPower 500W Ultra Quiet Power Supply

I've had a go at an AMD build. How do you guys think it compares?

ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3
AMD Athlon II X3 400e
Kingston 2 x 2gb
Silverstone LC17B
PSU - as above
Windows 7 Home premium
Hauppauge WinTV Nova-TD 500
LG 10xBD

Thanks guys

 

[foofaroo]

Thanks guys I'm going to look into cases in more detail.

I fancy one of these but they don't seem to be available in the UK.