HTPC build

[Coulter45]

I am looking at building a htpc for my living room. I want to cut cable out of my life and am looking at building the cheapest pc that gets the job done. I need to be able to watch hulu, netflix, espn3 ect...on this pc. I have windows 7 and HD homerun tv tuner. I would like to keep the cost in 400-450 range.

Thanks


Antec Three Hundred Black Steel
Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model iHES208-08 LightScribe Support

[AdrenalinPlease]

Originally Posted by Coulter45 Antec Three Hundred Black Steel Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case The usual and very supported case. GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard Recommended to use a P55 northbridge MB like the ASUS P7P55D-E Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530 Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530 No input from me. CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply Usual and supported G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL This is a no-no as many here have had problems with G-Skill Recommended brands are Corsair, Kingston, A-Data. Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB is a better choice. LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model iHES208-08 LightScribe Support

It works.


Mind you Im no pro here, Im just following everyone elses guidelines with this.

[glc]

Recommended to use a P55 northbridge MB like the ASUS P7P55D-E

No onboard video with P55. The Gigabyte should be okay, but I prefer Asus H55 boards.

This is a no-no as many here have had problems with G-Skill Recommended brands are Corsair, Kingston, A-Data.

Don't forget Crucial. You don't need 1600, 1333 1.5 volt is preferred.

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI

WAY more than you need for onboard video. I'd use a 430D Green Antec earthwatts.

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB is a better choice.

Definitely.

[AdrenalinPlease]

Originally Posted by glc no onboard video with p55. The gigabyte should be okay, but i prefer asus h55 boards. i missed that part, sorry don't forget crucial. You don't need 1600, 1333 1.5 volt is preferred. whoops

:d

[David M]

Just wondering if you prefer a HTPC case that would fit in a regular stereo cabinet. What you have will not be super quiet especially with that WD Black grinding away during a movie. You don't need a drive the speed of a Black to run media. I would consider one of these drives...
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=615

I put one inside my satellite DVR and don't hear it at all. The drive that came with the DVR I could hear.

[Coulter45]

Yeah I would probably lean towards a case better suited for my cabinet.

[David M]

Come up with a HTPC case you like. Lian-Li and Silverstone have many of the nice ones but there are plenty of others.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...a-Center-Cases

How important is quiet during a movie? Which card and drive you get makes a difference.

How about sound? Would you prefer a card where the HDMI out has decoded lossless sound? Or is your AV amp going to do the decoding? You will need one or the other if you want the Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 sound.

Do you have an AV amp? What do you plan on using as your amplifier?

Do you want a Bluray optical drive? Do you already have a separate Bluray player that you want to use?

[Coulter45]

Here is my updated build. It is a little more than I wanted to spend, but this should run anything I throw at it. Do I also need a wireless card to connect to my network.


Western Digital AV-GP WD10EVDS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal AV Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital AV-GP WD10EVDS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal AV Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BN1608

ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530

LITE-ON Black Blu-ray Disc Combo SATA Model iHES208-08 LightScribe
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model iHES208-08 LightScribe Support

Thermaltake Black SECC Japanese steel LANBOX Lite VF6000BWS Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Black SECC Japanese steel LANBOX Lite VF6000BWS Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

[Coulter45]

Originally Posted by David M Come up with a HTPC case you like. Lian-Li and Silverstone have many of the nice ones but there are plenty of others. Newegg.com - HTPC / Media Center Cases How important is quiet during a movie? Which card and drive you get makes a difference. How about sound? Would you prefer a card where the HDMI out has decoded lossless sound? Or is your AV amp going to do the decoding? You will need one or the other if you want the Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 sound. Do you have an AV amp? What do you plan on using as your amplifier? Do you want a Bluray optical drive? Do you already have a separate Bluray player that you want to use?

I have a PS3 for Blu-Ray movies. I am not concerned about having one on this machine. Rather try and keep costs down.

I have a receiver that I was planning to use an optical cord from my device to my receiver. Will this not work?

[glc]

No, you don't want Ballistix - you want 1.5 volt 1333 speed for maximum stability. Ballistix is also way too expensive.

Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH

You can connect it directly to your network with Ethernet (preferred) or you will in fact need a wireless adapter. What brand and model is your router?

The i3-540 is $15 cheaper than the 530 and is faster.

[Coulter45]

Originally Posted by glc No, you don't want Ballistix - you want 1.5 volt 1333 speed for maximum stability. Ballistix is also way too expensive. Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH You can connect it directly to your network with Ethernet (preferred) or you will in fact need a wireless adapter. What brand and model is your router? The i3-540 is $15 cheaper than the 530 and is faster.

I swapped Ballistix out and went with A-Data. I will be connecting to my ethernet but what wireless adapter do you recommend. I have a Belkin Wireless N adapter.

Will this have any difficulties running any media I throw at it.

Thanks

[glc]

What do you need a wireless adapter for? I'm a bit confused.