HTPC Build or Laptop: Moderate Gaming

[jensbodal]

Possibly a confusing title, but I am either looking to upgrade my laptop or build a HTPC. I do not need cutting edge, I just need decent framerate while raiding in WoW and something that can play HD content at 1080/720. I have had my eyes set on the Dell M11X, but I just can't get past the design of it and do not think I would really want to take it into the office.

The laptop would need to be sub 14" and <5 lbs, but other than that I'm pretty open. Basically the M11X is perfect aside from its design, thus I am thinking of waiting on a new laptop and building a HTPC instead that can play WoW and HD video.

If I were looking to build a HTPC I would want it as compact as possible but still able to get decent framerate in World of Warcraft at moderate or better yet high/max settings. The Mac-mini is a potential choice as I know WoW has Mac support, but it doesn't have a Blu-ray player (which I'm not even sure on if that will matter or not) and is very limited in customization. On the other hand it is the perfect size and looks very nice.

I'm looking to spend around $1000, and will buy everything in the USA, and will be building completely from scratch.

I am not trying to set benchmarks, I just want something that will play WoW at an acceptable framerate while raiding. I've started to look at some graphics cards but there's an ocean of them and I don't really know what will fit into a micro ATX case while being without heat issues.

Monitor runs at 1920x1080

I have a 3 month time frame for this, will be in the US in September and need everything by September 18th

 

[mfenn]

You can probably get an Athlon II + HD5770 system for around $650. That'll play Wow quite well and you can then save up a little more and get a CULV notebook for mobility.

Athlon II X3 435 $70
ASRock 880GM-LE $75
4GB G.Skill ECO DDR3 1600 $110
ASUS Radeon HD 5770 $150
Samsung F3 1TB $80
Blu-ray combo drive $80
HTPC Case $70
Corsair 400CX $50
Total $685 before rebates.

This will play WoW and Blu-rays quite well. I just posted this build to give you an idea of what you can get. Everything will have changed by September, so ask again then.

 

[repoman0]

Yes definitely desktop + less powerful laptop for $1000, or even just desktop if you don't really need to move. I managed a Phenom II x2 + 5770 system for under $500 (closer to $450 with cashback and some used parts) because I already had a hard drive and didn't get a blu-ray drive.