Help me build the cheapest HTPC possible!

[OmegaShadow]

hey everyone. i'm looking to build a cheap htpc to stream internet videos and movies. looking to go cheap AND as low power consumption as possible. i'm really new to HTPC and never had one before so i'm seeking out expert advice on AT. thanks in advance.

only looking for the tower build thats it. i don't need keyboard, mouse, speakers, or any other externals.

also i can budget around $400.

 

[mosox]

Is that HTPC for you? If it is, make your current PC a HTPC and get something like this:

ASRock 870 EXTREME3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157198
AMD Athlon II X2 250 (swap the CPUs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103903
Team Elite 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820313072
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ + OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.514468
LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA + Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.514368
GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4350 (to replace the HD 5770, the onboard video on the ASUS M2A-VM is too weak for HD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125251

$393.92

LE: To clarify, you get from your old PC the CPU, video card and PSU and use those in the new system.

 

[ther00kie16]

For HTPC, all you need is a good onboard video (even single core is enough).
$76 Sempron 145 & Biostar A880G+ (unlockable to dual core so equivalent to Athlon X2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.538556

$106 Athlon X2 260 & Biostar A880G+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.538550

$127 Phenom II X2 555 & Biostar A880G+ (unlockable to quad core)

For HTPC, you don't really need more than 2GB of ram. $30 1x2GB stick (if you ever want to go 2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144455

$60 2x2GB if you want to go 4GB dual channel right away.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141550



Do you care if the case looks like a piece of home theater equipment?
$75 (and only $3 as opposed to $10+ shipping for most other cases) Antec NSK 4482B + 80Plus Bronze 380W power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129072

$50 HEC mATX case+300W psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121100

$39 - $10 rebate Antec NEO 400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371029
$33 shipped Rosewill case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147109

 

[OmegaShadow]

hey guys thanks for the replies. the htpc is actually for my parents who want to stream stuff on the big screen tv through a computer to tv output. so i rather not have to move anything between my main computer and the new htpc i'll be getting. also won't really care what it looks like since my parents are tech savvy anyways so i don't think they'll care. thanks!

 

[ther00kie16]

Go with the Sempron bundle and the Antec case+psu as those are all quality parts and the onboard gpu is plenty for any HD material. Also very cheap and you can unlock the CPU to a dual core (basically $30 off a Athlon II X2).

For the other parts, just get whatever's cheap on newegg. Getting 2x2GB obviously helps but not necessary for a HTPC as I mentioned.

Hard drive can also just be a F3 or F4 5400rpm as that'd be cheaper.

 

[davidjaii]

consider a compact pc?

Like a Lenovo Q150. I bought the lower model with only 1gb ram and no hdmi output, but it was good enough for my family to use daily. I wished I did spend more for the model that I linked instead.

The package also included a mount for the mini 8x8 PC that allows me to attach it to the back of a LCD TV.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ovo-_-83108321

 

[mfenn]

Is that HTPC for you? If it is, make your current PC a HTPC and get something like this:

ASRock 870 EXTREME3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157198
AMD Athlon II X2 250 (swap the CPUs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103903
Team Elite 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820313072
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ + OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.514468
LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA + Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.514368
GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4350 (to replace the HD 5770, the onboard video on the ASUS M2A-VM is too weak for HD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125251

$393.92

LE: To clarify, you get from your old PC the CPU, video card and PSU and use those in the new system.

Even without swapping parts around, this is a pretty good start. I would probably grab an 880G based board like the ASRock 880GM-LE and forgo the add-in card entirely. I've never heard of Team, but some G.Skill DDR3 is only a few bucks more. Finally, I'd probably replace the OCZ PSU with a $25 AR Corsair 430CX.

 

[jaydee]

Radeon 4350 is a terrible value. You can get a 4550 or a 5450 for $30 after rebate regularly. They both pop up at $20 from time to time. I recommend the 5450.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-819-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131339


For a PSU, you want a low cost, <300W, that's 80+ certified. Unfortuanatly to my knowledge, they don't exist. The Corsair unit mfenn referenced might be your best bet, but don't be fooled, it's not a SeaSonic rebadge like the famous 400CX it's replacing. It's lower quality in a lot of ways, but should suffice for you. PSU is often the most frustrating component in a low-cost, low power HTPC.

All this being said, if you can hang on for a couple months, the new AMD Ontario/Zacate cpu's should be ideal for your requirements.

 

[ther00kie16]

Wow terrible suggestions.
He doesn't need a dedicated gpu or separate <300w psu.

Look at my post for the $76 mb+cpu bundle that's plenty for a HTPC and also the $75 quality Antec case + 80+ Bronze certified psu.

Can't get a better price on either as a decent mb will cost you $50+ so $26 for a CPU is golden. So is a 80+ Bronze psu with a good case. Cheapest cases are $30+ shipped on newegg and a 80+ psu is $40+ so you are really saving there.

 

[jaydee]

Case + PSU: Foxconn $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811153028

Mobo: AsRock 880G $63
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157199

CPU: AMD Athlon II x2 2.9GHz $58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103687

RAM: 1x2GB G.Skill DDR3 1333 $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231395

Hard drive: Samsung F3 1TB $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181
Use promo code: EMCZYNW52

Optical drive: Lite-On Blu-Ray w/software $42.30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106325
Use promo code: EMCZYNW77

Total: $298 shipped, no rebates. Still have plenty of budget for a cheap discrete video card if you need one.


Edited for promo codes and further savings