Cheap HTPC $300-350

[gomer82]

Any thoughts/advice on this build before I pull the trigger?

Case, HEC ITX200A , $45

MB, ECS H55H-I , $70

CPU, Intel i3-540 , $105

RAM, G Skill 2x2GB , $50

HD, Seagate Barracuda 250GB , $35

Wireless Adapter, Rosewill Wireless-N , $10

Remote, Rosewill RRC-127 , $13

Total: $328

I recently purchased the Windows7 Multi-pack, so I plan to use one of those licenses along with an old XP license for the OS. The main purpose of the PC will be to watch Netflix, Hulu and ESPN 360. I don't plan on recording TV with the unit.

I'm also contemplating using a Wii remote instead of the Rosewill one. Anyone personally had any luck doing this and recommend it?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[catalan]

Does it have to be an intel rig? Also for an htpc 2x1gb is enough. Notice you dont have an optical drive on your list you plan on using an external?

 

[gomer82]

Nope, I'm fine with AMD too. I just heard that micro ITX was better than micro ATX for a small HTPC, and thats the motherboard I found.

I don't need an optical drive for anything, so I left it out. I plan on installing Win7 via USB or as a backup temporarily hooking up a DVD drive I find around.

I've been debating whether it's worth the $15 extra for 2x2gb vice 2x1 gb. Thanks for the info!

 

[catalan]

most people go w/ amd over intel for htpc builds since amd's iGPU is better than intels

$39 silverstone LC02 clone w/ 220w silverstone PSU.
It says mITX, but it fits mATX and ATX. I've use this case on my own build and several friend's build. I installed an internal usb ir receiver to keep it cleaner , but the rosewill remote you picked works as well. FYI he also sells this case w/ an optical drive for $10 more, up to you if you want to go that route.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Mini-ITX-Ca...231?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d293bcfe7

$73.08 w/ code "foodcoma15"
amd x2 210e, possible to unlock to quad core and it's 45w so it runs cooler than most amd cpus
samsung f3 500gb hd fastest 500gb hd and double the size for less than $5 more
https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.ph...I-X2-Dual-Core-Processor-210e-2-6-GHz-AM3-OEM
https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.ph...3-HD502HJ-500GB-SATA2-7200rpm-16MB-Hard-Drive

$22 silverstone nt07-am2
low profile cooler to fit into the case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0&Tpk=nt07-am2

$36 2x1gb crucial pc3-1333
this ram is also known to oc well if you go that route.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148194

$55/45 AMIR biostar a880g+
probably the best budget htpc board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138283

$22 asus usb-n13
you can go w/ the one you currently listed but it's only 150mbps. the one i linked is 300mbps. i personally use this for web browsing and gaming, cstrike/wow and no hiccups at all.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...APTER%20RETAIL

$22.50 MCE Remote w/ internal IR receiver.
this is the combo i used in the htpcs ive built. give a cleaner look since the receiver is inside the case. just another option, but the one you picked is fine as well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Internal-IR...265?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf116d689

$9.60 80x15mm evercool fan
use this as an exhaust on the top of the recommended case. i use double sided tape to mount it onto the case
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556062004.html

Total = $279.18 shipped/$269.18 amir
OR $257.68 shipped/$247.68 amir if you go w/ your remote and usb adapter.

For around $50-70 less before rebate you get a better htpc imo. also get double the storage space and the hdd is a lot faster than the one you picked out.

 

[mfenn]

most people go w/ amd over intel for htpc builds since amd's iGPU is better than intels

$39 silverstone LC02 clone w/ 220w silverstone PSU.
It says mITX, but it fits mATX and ATX. I've use this case on my own build and several friend's build. I installed an internal usb ir receiver to keep it cleaner , but the rosewill remote you picked works as well. FYI he also sells this case w/ an optical drive for $10 more, up to you if you want to go that route.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Mini-ITX-Ca...231?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d293bcfe7

$73.08 w/ code "foodcoma15"
amd x2 210e, possible to unlock to quad core and it's 45w so it runs cooler than most amd cpus
samsung f3 500gb hd fastest 500gb hd and double the size for less than $5 more
https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.ph...I-X2-Dual-Core-Processor-210e-2-6-GHz-AM3-OEM
https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.ph...3-HD502HJ-500GB-SATA2-7200rpm-16MB-Hard-Drive

$22 silverstone nt07-am2
low profile cooler to fit into the case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0&Tpk=nt07-am2

$36 2x1gb crucial pc3-1333
this ram is also known to oc well if you go that route.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148194

$55/45 AMIR biostar a880g+
probably the best budget htpc board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138283

$22 asus usb-n13
you can go w/ the one you currently listed but it's only 150mbps. the one i linked is 300mbps. i personally use this for web browsing and gaming, cstrike/wow and no hiccups at all.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...APTER%20RETAIL

$22.50 MCE Remote w/ internal IR receiver.
this is the combo i used in the htpcs ive built. give a cleaner look since the receiver is inside the case. just another option, but the one you picked is fine as well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Internal-IR...265?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf116d689

$9.60 80x15mm evercool fan
use this as an exhaust on the top of the recommended case. i use double sided tape to mount it onto the case
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556062004.html

Total = $279.18 shipped/$269.18 amir
OR $257.68 shipped/$247.68 amir if you go w/ your remote and usb adapter.

For around $50-70 less before rebate you get a better htpc imo. also get double the storage space and the hdd is a lot faster than the one you picked out.

Not bad for a budget build! The only comment that I have is that you might as well swap the memory out for a single 2GB stick. G.Skill has one for $28, which saves you some money and leaves open an easy upgrade path to 4GB.

 

[jae]

ASRock 880GM-LE AM3 AMD 880G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$59.99

GeIL Value 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Desktop Memory Model GV32GB1333C9SC
$23.99


AMD Athlon II X2 255 Regor 3.1GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX255OCGQBOX
$62.99


LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
$79.99


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$69.99

~300

 

[gomer82]

Thanks for the help! I think that I'll go with Catalan's build, looks nice . I do like the smaller size of the original microITX build, but can't see spending the extra, especially since newegg raised prices Monday morning on many of the parts I'd picked out.

 

[bcg]

Thanks for the posts. I'm looking into Catalan's build myself. I bought the suggested case. Is the power supply enough? (This is my first build, so it could be my ignorance) I tried a couple of online PS estimators and they suggested closer to 300w than the 220w supplied with the case.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the posts. I'm looking into Catalan's build myself. I bought the suggested case. Is the power supply enough? (This is my first build, so it could be my ignorance) I tried a couple of online PS estimators and they suggested closer to 300w than the 220w supplied with the case.

220W is easily enough. You're talking about a 45W TDP CPU and I'd doubt that the rest of the components put together add up to much more than another 45W.