Spec me a HTPC

[jrwagh333]

Wow, I never thought I would create a "spec me" thread but it has happened. The choices and possibilities are just driving my crazy.

Requirements: I am looking to build the cheapest HTPC I can. I am looking to build this myself instead of going for something like a Zotac box as this way it is more customisable.
I have no need for any peripherals, just the PC itself. I am looking for it to be able to run 1080p MKV files & that is really all it will be used for.
I was first looking at building a Mini-ITX rig (which I would prefer) but I would also consider a Micro-ATX if it worked out cheaper.
I don't need a DVD drive but I do need a case and PSU aswell.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cold_And_Miserable]

Components:
core i3 CPU
Gigabyte H55 MATX motherboard
2x1Gb Kingston value DDR3
Akasa 380W silent PSU
1.5Tb Seagate green harddrive
ATX/MATX OCUK value HTPC case
OPTIONAL:
Analogue sound? +Asus Xonar DS 7.1 soundcard
Remote control ? +Wireless mouse&keyboard combo
HDMI TV ? 2m HDMI cable
PC gaming? + 2Gb of DDR3 RAM
Software:
Windows 7 / Vista
XMBC media centre
FFDShow Tryouts codecs
Media player HC
Total cost roughly = £400-500

 

[PermaBanned]

Considering you said cheapest possible...

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Patriot Viper 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVS34G1600LLK) £61.09
(£51.99) £61.09
(£51.99)
Gigabyte GA-MA74GMT-S2 740G (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard £39.99
(£34.03) £39.99
(£34.03)
Corsair CX 430W ATX Power Supply £37.98
(£32.32) £37.98
(£32.32)
AMD Sempron 145 2.80GHz (Socket AM3) Processor - Retail £31.71
(£26.99) £31.71
(£26.99)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (ST3500418AS) £29.99
(£25.52) £29.99
(£25.52)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4650 1024MB DDR2 PCI-Express Graphics Card £29.36
(£24.99) £29.36
(£24.99)
Coolermaster Elite 360 Mini Tower Case - Black £27.99
(£23.82) £27.99
(£23.82)
Scythe Shuriken Rev.B Quiet Low Profile CPU Cooler (Socket 939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1156/LGA1366) £24.99
(£21.27) £24.99
(£21.27)
Sub Total : £240.93
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 17.50% VAT : £44.22
Total : £296.90

And there's still a fair bit of slack to be cut. It's a great CPU, chances are it'l unlock to a dual core and overclock to 3-4GHz easily. Software, use XBMC (Linux) with a skin like MediaStream.