First HTPC Build - Need advice

jls944 · Post by **jls944** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:29 am

I am looking to build my first HTPC. My objectives are the following:
- Needs to be quite
- Stream/play/record HD quality video
- Run 24/7

Here is the hardware I was thinking of using. My budget is <$800.

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 255 Socket AM3 75
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H board 85
Memory: OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
HDD: Western Digital GreenPower drive AV-GP WD15EVDS 120
Chassis: Antec Black M FusionRemote 350 Micro ATX 90
Operating System: Windows 7 x64 110
Blu-Ray: LG black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA 100
Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE 100293L Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3
Total Cost 790

Will these components do everything I am looking for while keeping things cool and quite? Please make any suggestions you may have. Thanks.

autoboy · Post by **autoboy** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:28 am

Looks good to me. The only thing you might change is to use cheaper memory, and to use the onboard video instead of the 5570. But, as it stands you will be very happy.

andymcca · Post by **andymcca** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:17 am

autoboy wrote:Looks good to me. The only thing you might change is to use cheaper memory, and to use the onboard video instead of the 5570. But, as it stands you will be very happy.

Seconded. I use the 785G on my HTPC quiet merrily. Do you plan on playing 3D games as well? If so, maybe discrete graphics are worthwhile. Otherwise, likely a waste of $ and watts.

PS: You could save some money on the energy bill going with the single core sempron 140 if you won't be doing a ton of encoding :)

PPS: The factory HSF for the Athlon IIs and Sempron 140 is super quiet at idle.

jls944 · Post by **jls944** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:32 pm

I will not be doing any gaming with this setup. I have been getting mixed reviews of whether I need a graphics card or not because some say the one in the MOBO will not suffice for HD playback, especially when fastforwarding and rewinding. Can I try the system without a graphics card and install one letter if I'm not satisfied with the results?

I am going to look for some cheaper memory but I'm not sure that there is for DDR3 and low profile. Thanks for the comments.

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:44 pm

If I were building a new HTPC today, I'd buy the following:

ASRock H55M Pro - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813157181 - $89.99
Intel i3-530 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115222 - $119.99
AData 2x4GB PC3 12800 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820211409 - $96.99
WD GreenPower AV-GP WD15EVDS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136495 - $119.99
Antec Black M FusionRemote 350 Micro ATX - $90
Windows 7 x64 $110
LG black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA $10

Note: you're going to need to buy software to run the BluRay in Windows - I recommend ArcSoft Total Media Theater 3.0 Platinum, which will run you about $72 (do a search to find the best price).

Even with TMT 3.0, that still puts you under $800 (since you don't need a video card with the i3-530). Then, of course, you'll need to order a Ceton Cablecard tuner.

-D