Budget HTPC build... $500 ?

T

tyhatts

New Member
Hey everyone

Im pulling the trigger and going to build myself a new computer
Its going to be 75% HTPC and 25% everything else computer.
Im going to set my initial budget @ $500

I would prefer to walk into a store and purchase my items but ordering them off the internet wouldnt be out of the question either.
I just want to be able to find the best deals and the cheapest route.

Im a rookie when it comes to this stuff... so Im looking to the people on the forum to help me decide which components would be most beneficial to me.

I have NO ISSUE with AMD as the processor because from the research I have done I found that Intel CPU's are better suited for a higher spec'd comp ?

That being said... I would go with an i5 processor if I chose intel.

All the toys and gadgets are coming second to performance at the moment. I would like to put as much $$ into the main components if possible.
Here is my daily usage / what i plan on doing
- blue ray
- HDMI
- 7.1 sound..... or 5.1 doesnt matter.
- streaming video
- ripping my dvd collection
- TV tuner
- I want it to be fast...

I also am looking for some suggestiong on operationg systems.... ones that are home theater based or something for a home theater ? XBMC... good, bad, ugly ???

Thanks for any help
 
I'll leave the details and the thick of it to others, but an AMD APU seems like it would be a perfect fit for your system. Cost-efficient for your uses, built-in low-end discrete video card graphics for your media needs, and will be plenty fast enough for what you're using it for.
 
I would also agree with the AMD APUs. Most of their motherboards come in micro ATX form, so they're perfect for a small case, and have very powerful graphic capabilities for being on the CPU. They also run very cool so you're good there.

I've heard good things about XBMC, and I'm sure there are a number of linux distros that are perfect for you as well. I'm not too knowledgeable at that so I'll let someone else fill that info in. If you want a computer for also browsing the web, (like you said, 25% other uses) I would recommend getting a linux distro, or dual-booting XBMC and linux.

For the TV tuner, there are a number of good ones on newegg. I would go by the best reviewed ones. I would definitely recommend a discrete sound card from Asus or Creative, if looking for 7.1. 4Gb of RAM would be plenty. APUs love 1866mhz RAM, so here's a suggestion:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104263
 
if your looking for someone to build a computer for you. check out performancepersonalcomputers.com
He has been in many magazines, His names Matt very knowledgeable guy!
 
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