Trying to spec out an HTPC for my friend

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mrmylanman

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Does this stuff look good to y'all?

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324 84.99
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255 77.00
Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163081 209.99
RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231136 104.99
Hard drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 84.99
Optical Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118017 52.99
Graphics card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150268 57.99
Windows license http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150268 99.99

Total 772.93

I was a little worried about power requirements, as this case comes with a 120W power supply, and although the 8500GT seems to only draw 27W peak, I am not sure if that's true, or what the rest of it draws....

Thoughts?
 
I'm a little confused with your decision to go with the most powerful IGP available (780G) and then also use a 8500GT. IMO just ditch the geforce and run IGP only. If you get rid of the 8500 I'm certain that the PSU of the lascala would be adequate.

Also, get 2x2 GB of ram instead of 4x1GB. It might save you a few dollars and a few watts.
 
The 780G will play HD and Aero and all that crap without a problem? If so then I'll just ditch the 8500.
 
I agree with the above poster... Go with IGP.

This is and EXPENSIVE HTPC build for not gaming... and no BD

- If you're not going to run 64-bit windows, go with 2 x 1GB RAM; 4GB is well more than you need.

- The case, although it's thin and looks decent, limits you severly and will probably be loud and warm. Not to mention that it's $200 for the case and whimpy PSU. My suggestion would be to get something that will allow you to fit stard components or even slim cards. The Antec NSK-2480 is a good choice as it doesn't look like a computer (I like the look) and comes with a very good 380w PSU. With the larger case and fan placement, you could run a Ninja Mini without a fan attached to it (I ducted mine to the rear-side fan). This will give you a room to upgrade if your buddy decides he wants to game on this computer too (fit in case and have enough power/easy to upgrade PSU).

- You can decode Blu-Ray with the IGP, however, you're not installing a BD drive. You can get a BD drive for $140 from Lite-On (it won't burn DVD's) or the trusty LG combo drive (will burn DVD's) for $160. I have both and they work well.
 
For an HTPC, I'd recommend this case, I use it for the second PC in sig:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231

It'll fit almost anything, and the cooling is pretty effective. Stock fans aren't that great though, I replaced them with two Nexus 80mm's. No intakes yet. There's room for 2x120mm's though.

The included Aspire PSU is complete junk though. Don't use it. From what I've heard, they have a chance of killing your hardware.
 
The problem with those is she doesn't have much space and is picky about things like size and looks. I went with that AMD since it's only 35W and I figured it'd stay fairly cool inside that case. I know someone who has one in his SG03 and it idles at like 25C with the stock cooler (which I think should fit in there).

Without the graphics card, and down to 2 gigs that brings the price down to $646.

She really likes that case, so I was kinda going with what's available. I don't guess there is a slim blu-ray drive available yet eh.
 
Whenever anyone thinks about building an HTPC i always ask them to be aware of the Sony PS3.

For Blue Ray, DVD's, AVI's, DivX, photos, casual websurfing, gaming, 1080p play back and DVD upscaling it's simply (and being a PC nut i do say this reluctantly) awesome.

If you're pricing up a HTPC and you exceed the price of a PS3 have a good hard think about it.

Essentially i'd say that if you can build a competent 1080p playback blue ray player equipped HTPC for less than the price of a PS3 then do so. If you can build the above with a decent GPU (ATI 3870 or greater or Nvidia 9600GT or greater) then certainly do so.

Otherwise i would suggest you simply buy a PS3 (even if you have zero desire to ever game on it).

What is the purpose of this machine should be the overarching principle. If it's simply media centre noob friendly (even kid friendly) blue ray and dvd play back, that mum and dad can plug USB sticks or digi cameras into to browse the numerous shots from the recent vacation on then a PS3 is ideal.

If you want that but also need a machine capable of running windows based software, like Photoshop or CAD or PC only game titles etc then sure get an HTPC.

Seriously, for most, a PS3 is a winner.

Disclaimer: Proud owner of a HTPC - i don't own a PS3 but my mates do and i'm both aware and impressed by their capabilities as media centres.

Keep it in mind.
 
She also wants to put all her photos music and videos on this computer and just share it over the network. Can a PS3 do this? I don't even know.
 
PS3 can likely do all these thing, but it will gobble up electrons in the process. An HTPC might use 100W of electricity while the PS3 cooks through >300W. I have one sitting right next to me. It's putting out twice as much heat (at idle) as my Sugo 3 with Intel Xeon Quad and a HD3870.
 
Ask your friend if she likes the Antec NSK1380, the Minuet350, or the Veris Fusion Black. Choosing one of those three cases may free up enough cash for you/her to get a Blu-ray drive.

And for a Windows OS license, you could get a 64-bit OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for around $80 plus shipping.
 
tiraides said:
And for a Windows OS license, you could get a 64-bit OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for around $80 plus shipping.
Click to expand...
While a terrific deal V64 sucks so bad as an HTPC OS. Seriously, I've never seen so many codec issues with any other OS when it comes to setting up an HTPC. It's just not worth using.
 
Hey there is a nice combo for a Gigabyte 780g mobo and a AMD Brisbane 5000+ CPU for less than $125. Go for that and save a few more bucks. I'm sure he won't notice the 20 watt increase.
 
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