HTPC... do my components work together ?? First attempt !

T

tyhatts

New Member
Hey everyone
I had posted a topic a couple days ago... It explained what I wanted to do with my new computer, features, etc..... here is the link to that convo...
http://www.computerforum.com/185141-htpc-build.html

Just messin around on Newegg ... I decided to build my own HTPC... so here is a list of the components I have chosen...

Case - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215 ... $69.99
CPU - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221 ... $119.99
MOBO - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128421 ... $104.99
Sound - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024 ... $99.99
Graphics - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500177 ...$79.99
PCU - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017 ...$73.99
Memory - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193 ... $76.50
Blu ray drive - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151222 ....$89.99
HDD - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 ...$79.99
OS - Windows 7 Home premium ....$99.99

Total build is $895.... is there anywhere I can stand to save some money ??? Remember, I wont be doing any major gaming..... maybe a little world in conflict... but other then that... just home media things...

Do I need to have a graphics & sound card ???
Cheaper case ?
Cheaper PCU ?
Cheaper memory ??? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
Cheaper HDD ??? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136490
 
Looks pretty good. Got some thoughts though:

- Shouldn't need an external sound card unless you're some kind of audiophile. the mobo has 8-channel audio built in.

- Might want a better PSU. OCZ isn't "bad", but they aren't "good" either.

- The cheaper RAM would be fine for this, I'd think. The cheaper hard drive, however, would be significantly slower.

- Graphics card is a must, for hardware decoding, but you could use a cheaper one for sure.

- That mobo is micro-ATX. Maybe get a mATX case as well, to save space?

- If you want to drop the price a bit, an AMD system would be cheaper and still plenty powerful for HTPC work. I could throw a build up if you'd like.
 
Drenlin said:
Looks pretty good. Got some thoughts though:

- Shouldn't need an external sound card unless you're some kind of audiophile. the mobo has 8-channel audio built in.

- Might want a better PSU. OCZ isn't "bad", but they aren't "good" either.

- The cheaper RAM would be fine for this, I'd think. The cheaper hard drive, however, would be significantly slower.

- Graphics card is a must, for hardware decoding, but you could use a cheaper one for sure.

- That mobo is micro-ATX. Maybe get a mATX case as well, to save space?

- If you want to drop the price a bit, an AMD system would be cheaper and still plenty powerful for HTPC work. I could throw a build up if you'd like.
Click to expand...

Yes, I was thinking about AMD but I didnt know where to start.... if you have time to put something together, that would be great !!!
 
Get a sound card if you want to hook up your HTPC to an external receiver. Definetly don't go with any creative cards, I'd personally recommend ASUS DS or D1 if you want something cheap.
 
This would work wonderfully:

CPU + Mobo- Sempron 145 + Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 - $130
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524252

GPU- Gigabyte GT 430 - $82 ($15 rebate, and it should be quiter than the Zotac)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125346

RAM- Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 1333 (2x2GB) - $67 ($10USD MIR, free shipping)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226092

PSU- Corsair CX430 - $50
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

ODD- Lite-On iHAS-324-98 - $22
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

HDD- Spinpoint F3 1TB - $80
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Case- CM690 II - $70 (same one you posted)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215

Win7HP - $100
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Total - $601, before rebates, promos, or shipping.

It only has a single core processor, but that only uses 45W and is more than enough for an HTPC. The GPU will do all of the work. It's possible to unlock it to a dual core, though, if the second core is functional. It should even handle light gaming just fine...anything substantially more powerful, and the GPU would bottleneck it.
 
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If I were you I'd use a Athlon II Tri or Quad, and a cheap Graphics card like a GT430 or I think they have half-height 5570's. If you cut enough cash you could buy a 60GB SSD.
I don't see the need for a 690 II, although it is a nice case for its price.

If you decide on a Tri Athlon, Maybe spend a little more on a Motherboard with a CPU Unlocker. try unlocking a Fourth core.
 
^ You don't need a powerful CPU at all for an HTPC. The 430 will do all of the work. And again, they do sometimes unlock to dual cores...

The 690 II is a bit expensive for an HTPS, I suppose, but I'm guessing he picked it because of the looks as much as anything...most cases would feel out of place in a theater setup, but that would blend in quite well.
 
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Drenlin said:
^ You don't need a powerful CPU for an HTPC...the processor really isn't used that much. The 430 will do all of the work. And again, they do sometimes unlock to dual cores...

Agreed on the case, but it really does look nice.
Click to expand...

That is true. I just said that because my dad's HTPC has one, and he does some light gaming. A bit overkill.

Although, I like how a lot of intel's chips use less power. AFAIK.
 
The lowest Clarkdale chips are 73W, I believe...that Sempron is 45W. Granted, they're more than twice as powerful, but still.
 
Drenlin said:
This would work wonderfully:

CPU + Mobo- Sempron 145 + Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 - $130
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524252

GPU- Gigabyte GT 430 - $82 ($15 rebate, and it should be quiter than the Zotac)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125346

RAM- Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 1333 (2x2GB) - $67 ($10USD MIR, free shipping)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226092

PSU- Corsair CX430 - $50
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

ODD- Lite-On iHAS-324-98 - $22
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

HDD- Spinpoint F3 1TB - $80
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Case- CM690 II - $70 (same one you posted)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215

Win7HP - $100
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Total - $601, before rebates, promos, or shipping.

It only has a single core processor, but that only uses 45W and is more than enough for an HTPC. The GPU will do all of the work. It's possible to unlock it to a dual core, though, if the second core is functional. It should even handle light gaming just fine...anything substantially more powerful, and the GPU would bottleneck it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to do that ....

Couple of issues.... I noticed there was no Bluray drive. Also, I dont want to go barebones... or with what "I can get away with"... I would like something that is a little over kill so that in the future... its not TOTALLY useless ! haha

whats the deal with SSD ????
 
tyhatts said:
Thanks for taking the time to do that ....

Couple of issues.... I noticed there was no Bluray drive. Also, I dont want to go barebones... or with what "I can get away with"... I would like something that is a little over kill so that in the future... its not TOTALLY useless ! haha

whats the deal with SSD ????
Click to expand...

I would suggest going with a low powered dual core processor if you want to future proof it. Blu-ray drive will cost you an extra ~$60. SSDs are excellent for primary boot drives. If you chose to go with one it'll cost an extra ~$150 but you'll see a significant increase in responsiveness and a faster boot time.
 
tyhatts said:
Thanks for taking the time to do that ....

Couple of issues.... I noticed there was no Bluray drive. Also, I dont want to go barebones... or with what "I can get away with"... I would like something that is a little over kill so that in the future... its not TOTALLY useless ! haha

whats the deal with SSD ????
Click to expand...

Forgot to put the BR drive in! :o

The one you picked should be fine.


As for the processor, if you want a bit more, an Athlon II x2 250 would beef things up. There aren't any combos with it, though. The 260 is a bit less cost effective but there's a combo with it and that same mobo:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524298

A little more gets you a tricore:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524297

And even more gets you a quad:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524296

The x3 would be more than you'll need for quite a while in an HTPC, and the x4 is more of the same.
 
well... its wierd how things work.

I was in the middle of typing a reply on here. I wanted to upgrade my current computer. I was going to see what I could add to make it into a decent HTPC.

In the middle of typing the message, my computer just shut off.... so I turned it back on, turned on for a couple seconds and turned off again. I let it sit for a while... turned it on... I thought I was good... but it went to the first screen.. it said " checking files for problems" or something like that.... stayed on that screen for a couple seconds, then shuts off again !

So I dont know what the issue is, but my need for a PC just became critical hahahah

If my computer is shot, I will need something ASAP !
 
Well if nothing else we can help you figure out what's up.

Remove everything possible from your computer...hard drive, dvd drive, any other accessories, and all but 1 stick of RAM. Remove the GPU as well if your mobo has onboard. See if it still shuts down like that.
 
well... is it possible to replace a fried CPU ??? I figured out what was the matter with my computer ... The night before last, I opened up my current PC and started looking around and getting familiar with everything.... long story short... forgot to re-latch the CPU heatsink !!!!!!!!!!!!

As soon as opened it up o noticed it wasn't right. As soon as i latched it down again, I fire the PC up and its working now. But... I deffinatly messed something up... its running really choppy now... slugish....

Can I just replace the CPU ???
 
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