Spec Me: HTPC

Steves1982 · 15 Nov 2011 at 07:45

I know how much you guy love a good spec thread so here goes!

I'm looking at building as cheap a possible HTPC for sitting under my tv. I currently stream movies and tv from my PC to my 360 but it isn't ideal for all formats.

The new machine will be used solely for watching movies, internet access and maybe office occasionally. My superhub is next to my tv so I will plug directly into it so no need for wireless and I assume I can then share my media folder on my main pc with it. I haven't got a home theatre system so sound will be through HDMI and I won't need a tv card or anything. I've got Windows 7 already so no OS needed either.

I will also need a wireless keyboard/mouse and maybe media centre remote.

I have seen a few 2nd hand ones around £200 but always like to build myself from new so anything around that price and maybe up to £300 but like I said as cheap as possible would be good!

Cheers

Buchanan0204 · 15 Nov 2011 at 07:56

Considered a Revo. Bang on budget. Does everything you need and more. Small, silent and stylish. Enough said really.

Steves1982 · 15 Nov 2011 at 09:17

Hadn't noticed these before, they look quite decent.

Any particular model stand out in terms if value?

shadow_boxer · 15 Nov 2011 at 19:10

+1 for the Acer Revo 3700, seems ideal for your needs. It'll be much cheaper than putting a system together. If your looking to do a self build then have a look at AMD Zacate.

Steves1982 · 16 Nov 2011 at 17:05

Had a good look at these now and they do seem decent for the money.

The RL100 looks great but is more than I need. The R3700 looks good but for less I can get the R3610. Would this do the job or is the R3700 worth the extra?

Steves1982 · 18 Nov 2011 at 21:44

Probably going to get the R3700 but have been offered this for £200. Any good?

Black Gold TV Card - BGT 3540 -
G35 Chipset on board HDMI motherboard – ASUS P5E-V HDMI ATX LGA775
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.20GHz Socket 775 800FSB 2MB Cache
Zalman CNPS8700-LED Low profile Heat pipe Super Flower for 775 939 AM2 Cooler -
Pioneer DVR-108 DVD drive
Wireless Network Card
8GB OCZ Reaper HPC Heat sink
300GB HDD
Large fan quiet power supply
Silverstone LC16B case with Media Centre Remote
Logitech DiNovo Mini Keyboard/Mouse

If this would do the job I'm quite tempted by this as I like the look of the case, will match my other gear.

robfosters · 19 Nov 2011 at 01:57

Well the case is near £200 new on it's own.

Deffo worth it imo. You dont need a powerful PC for a HTPC and if the mobo has HDMI that is even better.

Personally I would buy the system and once HDD prices come down again, upgrade the storage and store a lot of your most watched stuff on the system itself rather than relying on streaming.

Steves1982 · 21 Nov 2011 at 08:01

Cheers, went for the above in the end as did seem good value.

Should be arriving in a few days so will let you know how it is.

Steves1982 · 5 Dec 2011 at 17:49

Very happy with the Silverstone HTPC. Looks lovely and matches my FT02. Also does everything I need it to. Put a 6450 silence GPU in for mild gaming when I can't get on my main PC.

Also didn't need the Dinovo mini, TV card or wireless card so selling those and will cover a fair chunk of the price of the whole machine!