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$500 build

  • Thread starter Deleted member 88227
  • Start date
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Deleted member 88227

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1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
This will be an HTPC; it will also play controller enabled games through Steam.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$500 - $600
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Biloxi, MS. Gonna be basically ordering online for this one; Newegg, amazon, tigerdirect
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
  • CPU
  • Motherboard
  • GPU*
  • PSU
  • RAM
  • HDD
  • Case
  • TV Tuner (Would prefer at least a dual tuner)
*Does not have to be a discrete graphics card
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
USB Keyboard and USB Mouse
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1080P TV
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Before January
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
  • Possibly onboard video options (HDMI and DVI)
  • At least two PCI express slots (x16 and x1)
  • RJ-45 port 10/100/1000
  • 4+ USB Ports
  • Built in MCE Remote would be nice. (Should work under Linux)
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Will be rocking either Windows 7 Home/Pro/Ultimate but for now I intend to see how far I can get with an HTPC built around Linux. With that being said, should Linux not accomplish what I need/want I will purchase Windows 7 HP; it is not part of this budget.

For the sake of ordering parts above, I'd like it to work well with Linux. Most likely will start with Ubuntu since that's what Steam seems to officially support.


Would really like to get this done for $500 or less, but I can stretch to $600 if needed. Additionally, I'd like some ideas on a good remote control for HTPC duties. I've seen some motherboards include them (Biostar) but the only one I seen was an ITX board and it only had one PCIe slot.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
How much storage do you need for this HTPC?
Are you recording OTA content or stuff from your cable provider?
 
Danny Bui said:
How much storage do you need for this HTPC?
Are you recording OTA content or stuff from your cable provider?
Click to expand...

Shoot Danny! I knew I was forgetting some things. :eek:

Storage space for recording is not an issue at this time. I have ~4TB worth of storage over the network I intend to use for now. However I WILL need a hard drive for the operating system/software install. :eek:

Also I need RAM. :eek:

I will be recording content from my local cable provider. Although I'm curious to know what the difference will be between OTA and cable recording. Difference in TV tuner cards?

I'm slipping my fault. Updating the OP right meow. :eek:
 
If you're willing to use a networked TV tuner, would you be willing to drop your PCI-E x1 requirement?
 
Danny Bui said:
If you're willing to use a networked TV tuner, would you be willing to drop your PCI-E x1 requirement?
Click to expand...

I have not looked into that option, but for now I'd rather it be all in one for HTPC duties. The "file server" is basically going to double as my main desktop I am using right now (The one in my signature) I will just network map one of the 1TB drives to the HTPC so it can record a decent amount of shows.

With that being said, I've never worked tried to network a TV tuner card. How difficult is it? I have intentions of building a dedicated file server, pretty sure I could easily put a TV tuner card in it when I get around to building it but I didn't want to do that just now. HDD prices are still a little too high for me right now; waiting for them to get to at least pre-flood prices before I start buying them again. (IE: $55 for a 1TB drive of sweet goodness)

So I think I'm going to stick with the x1 requirement for a TV tuner card. This has been my biggest dilemma. Doing an ITX build and using the x16 slot for a discrete graphics card or using it for a TV Tuner card. Which is why I finally came to the conclusion to just stick with mATX so I can have both. :eek:

So for now, the only thing I want networked is storage space.
 
Danny Bui said:
By networked TV tuner, I meant this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815345006

Seems more versatile than than having a TV Tuner built-in to the HTPC and seems to be well recommended down in the HTPC subforum. Apparently it works with Linux as well.
Click to expand...

This is why I started the topic. I had no idea such a device existed. That is definitely do able. With that being said, let's see a build with the TV tuner being part of the budget and without the budget. Want to see what kind difference $180 can make in an HTPC build.
 
Well if you wanted a mITX w/ TV Tuner setup, this is the cheapest bang for the buck I could go:
$70 - Intel Pentium G860 CPU
$137 - Asus P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77 mITX Motherboard + Coolermaster Elite 120 Advanced mITX Case Combo
$34 - Corsair CMV8GX3M1A1333C9 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$70 - Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB HDD
$70 - PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 400W Modular PSU
$180 - SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME Network TV Tuner
$20 - Rosewill RRC-126 Windows Vista/Window7 MCE/Windows 8 MCE Infrared Remote Control with Netflix Function
---
Total: $581 shipped

To be honest, I took a shot-in-the-dark with the remote: I just chose the cheapest but most reviewed "Top Sellers" remote on Newegg. With a case that small, I highly recommend a modular PSU. With that said, I've seen a few occasions where someone crammed in the Corsair CX430 V2 just fine in that case. Note that combo deals knocks that case down to $30 which is a good deal IMO.

As for cheapest bang for the buck non-mITX w/ TV Tuner:
$70 - Intel Pentium G860 CPU
$55 - Biostar H61MGC Intel H61 mATX Intel Motherboard
$34 - Corsair CMV8GX3M1A1333C9 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$70 - Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB HDD
$46 - Corsair 430CX V2 430W PSU
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite White with Black Front Trim ATX Case
$180 - SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME Network TV Tuner
$20 - Rosewill RRC-126 Windows Vista/Window7 MCE/Windows 8 MCE Infrared Remote Control with Netflix Function
----
Total: $525 shipped.

HTPC style case w/TV Tuner:
$70 - Intel Pentium G860 CPU
$55 - Biostar H61MGC Intel H61 mATX Intel Motherboard
$34 - Corsair CMV8GX3M1A1333C9 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$70 - Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB HDD
$46 - Corsair 430CX V2 430W PSU
$60 - Silverstone ML03B mATX HTPC Case
$180 - SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME Network TV Tuner
$20 - Rosewill RRC-126 Windows Vista/Window7 MCE/Windows 8 MCE Infrared Remote Control with Netflix Function
----
Total: $535 shipped.

Though once we remove that TV Tuner requirement, just add this video card and you get pretty great gaming performance though a bit mis-matched to the CPU:
$185 - PowerColor AX7850 2GBD5-DH Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card + Far Cry 3 combo
 
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Top notch Danny as always. Thanks for the builds. Think I'm gonna bite on the third option, now I just need to decide if I want to use the video card or not.

One thing I want to throw out on the table since I am using a networked TV Tuner card now, no need for a PCI-e x1 slot. Therefore that opens the option for this motherboard.

$80 - BIOSTAR TH61ITX+RCH LGA 1155 Intel H61

It's $25 more, but I wont need that $20 Rosewill Remote anymore either.
 
Not the greatest of options IMO. The Biostar mobo and the Rosewill remote in the 3rd build have a lot more Newegg reviews than that Biostar setup. Plus $5 cheaper as well.
 
Fair enough. Now I just need to find a good 1080P TV in the $500 range and I'll be golden. :)
 
Dang. Glad I measured before I bought. Anyway we can get a case that's no wider than 17". Gonna do some more measurements, might be able to just put the case in the same compartment as the TV.
 
Wanted to bump this up. Sadly I missed my goal of getting it before the end of the month. I now have the cash monies read to make a purchase, anything I should change?

As it sits, I've got the last build in my carts. Though I am getting as much of it from Amazon as I can, especially if it's the same price like the network tuner which is actually cheaper on Amazon. Additionally I have;

$107 - Silverstone Tek Aluminum/Steel ATX Media Center/HTPC Case with 2X USB 3.0 Front I/O Ports - Retail Cases SST-LC10B-E-USB3.0

Instead of the other case due to my width restraints that I wasn't aware of prior to making the topic. Total is at: $598.92

Its the top of my budget, which I suppose is okay.
 
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Width restraints? The ML03B case I recommended is far shorter and smaller and the Silverstone you chose.

Anyway, unless you're planning on getting an ATX mobo, I would not go with that LC-10B-E since its cooling would be worse than then the Silverstone GD04B, GD05B, and GD06B line of cases.
 
Danny Bui said:
Width restraints? The ML03B case I recommended is far shorter and smaller and the Silverstone you chose.

Anyway, unless you're planning on getting an ATX mobo, I would not go with that LC-10B-E since its cooling would be worse than then the Silverstone GD04B, GD05B, and GD06B line of cases.
Click to expand...

Weird, Newegg lists the case as being smaller.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163193

Those Silverstone GD04B, GD05B, and GD06B line of cases are all cases I looked at, however they are larger than my 17" maximum width. :eek:

edit
Silverstones web site also lists the case as 430mm wide (16.93 inches)
 
My mistake: I misread the numbers.

Hmm well that sucks. Good luck with that case then. Looks like you might need it.
 
Well the exact measurement is 17.5" in the little hole compartment where the case will be placed. Would .2" be enough room for good ventilation? If so, I'll go with one of those cases otherwise it's back to the drawing board.
 
You know what, I'm honestly not sure. My gut says yes but I have no facts, data, or proof to back up my gut.
 
Danny Bui said:
You know what, I'm honestly not sure. My gut says yes but I have no facts, data, or proof to back up my gut.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking it will be fine also. With that being said, I intend to go with I think the GD06B case. Really digging the "hidden" look of the case. If not, then it will definitely be the GD05B then. Additionally, I like that the GD06B has room for more HDDs than the GD05B; too bad my CM 212+ wont fit on it. Not that I was planning to use it anyway.

With that being said, the location the case is going in can easily modded. Not sure why I never though of it, but I have a 4.5" hole saw for my drill that can easily open the sides of the wooden enclosure to make more breathing room.

With that being said, I am going to go ahead and make the order later tonight.
 
So how about an AMD alternative.

Given the "Light" gaming the extra GPU power should give you an overall better experience.

90 - ASRock FM2A75M-ITX FM2
75 - LIAN LI Silver Aluminum PC-Q09FNA (using promo code LLDEC25)
64 - Silverstone ST45SF (this may not be necessarry as the case comes with a 300w PSU, I just couldnt find any info on its quality).
50 - AMD A4-5300 APU 3.4Ghz (Integrated Radeon HD 7480D)
40 - Samsung 2x4gb DDR3 1600 (Low voltage, Low Profile)
130 - SiliconDust HDHR3-CC HDHomeRun PRIME CableCARD TV tuners

449 + any applicable shipping

Part of the lower price though is the HDHR prime is cheaper right now & I did not include a HDD (as if the storage is networked you may want to go with a SSD for the faster, cooler & quieter operation).
 
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Yeah I got the HDHR in my Amazon cart as well, it's more expensive on the egg, but I think they too have a promo code that brings it down to $130. The only thing I really, really dislike about that build is the ASRock motherboard.

In reality though, the major differences are the CPU/Motherboard setup.

Intels CPU is $55 and AMDs is $50, so $5 less.
AMDs motherboard is more at $90 vs the Intels $55, so $35 less.

That means the AMD build is technically $30 more than the Intel setup. Which brings the question. Which CPU would handle a discrete video card better? The Intel or the AMD?
 
Skillz said:
Yeah I got the HDHR in my Amazon cart as well, it's more expensive on the egg, but I think they too have a promo code that brings it down to $130. The only thing I really, really dislike about that build is the ASRock motherboard.

In reality though, the major differences are the CPU/Motherboard setup.

Intels CPU is $55 and AMDs is $50, so $5 less.
AMDs motherboard is more at $90 vs the Intels $55, so $35 less.

That means the AMD build is technically $30 more than the Intel setup. Which brings the question. Which CPU would handle a discrete video card better? The Intel or the AMD?
Click to expand...

If using a stand alone GPU then the Intel is hands down better. If not then I Believe the AMD to be better. So also keep in mind that adding a GPU to bring the video of the intel up to the AMD level the savings would float back to the AMD side.
 
bastage said:
If using a stand alone GPU then the Intel is hands down better. If not then I Believe the AMD to be better. So also keep in mind that adding a GPU to bring the video of the intel up to the AMD level the savings would float back to the AMD side.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm aware. Though it wont happen right now, but I know how I am. I will eventually add a discrete graphics card to the HTPC. Whether it's a card specifically bought for the rig or a hand-me down from one of my other rigs. It will happen. :eek:

With that being said, if the Intel has the potential to preform better with a discrete graphics card then I'll stick with the Intel build for now. :)
 
Skillz said:
With that being said, if the Intel has the potential to preform better with a discrete graphics card then I'll stick with the Intel build for now. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah if your going to add a discrete card for sure then I would too. Also ignore my case recommendation as it has no expansion slot at all.
 
Got everything in finally and I'm installing it all. Just realized the motherboard does not have HDMI. Means I'm most likely going to have to order a discrete GPU sooner than I thought. Luckily I have not bought a TV for it yet, so if I can find a TV that has a DVI port then I'll be fine. Otherwise, discrete is a must.

I must say the case I got, the Silverstone GD05 is pretty nice except the top brackets. The screws they used do not have much material to screw through to secure them to the case; thus I think I have already stripped one of the holes by accident. :\ Going to have to break out my tap set and tap a slightly larger hole and use a slightly larger screw it seems. Though I am debating seeing how hard it will be to secure a nut on the other side of the hole to extend the hole the screw has to screw into.
 
Skillz said:
Got everything in finally and I'm installing it all. Just realized the motherboard does not have HDMI. Means I'm most likely going to have to order a discrete GPU sooner than I thought. Luckily I have not bought a TV for it yet, so if I can find a TV that has a DVI port then I'll be fine. Otherwise, discrete is a must.
Click to expand...
Might be easier to buy a discrete since it's a tad harder to find TVs with DVI these days.
Skillz said:
I must say the case I got, the Silverstone GD05 is pretty nice except the top brackets. The screws they used do not have much material to screw through to secure them to the case; thus I think I have already stripped one of the holes by accident. :\ Going to have to break out my tap set and tap a slightly larger hole and use a slightly larger screw it seems. Though I am debating seeing how hard it will be to secure a nut on the other side of the hole to extend the hole the screw has to screw into.
Click to expand...
Ouch. Sorry to hear about that.
 
It's all good. Its been a learning experience in setting up an HTPC. I've already learned, prior to this, that my Cable Co. sucks balls and broadcasts the SD channels in NTSC (Analog) thus the digital tv tuner that I got will not pick up those channels at all. The only channels is does pick up is the ~10 or so local channels in HD which simply isn't acceptable. Though I intend to go ahead and pay the $10 for the digital package, it still doesn't give all the channels in HD; so I still need a way to be able to watch SD channels over NTSC. Thus I've had to buy a second tuner card that has analog support. That so far has set me back ~$105 for a dual tuner unit.

However I do love the network tuner I am using; it was super easy to setup and all computers on my network can watch those HD channels with ease.
 
$105 - Hauppauge 1229 WinTV-HVR-2250 White Box for System Builders Dual Hybrid PCI-E TV Tuner Board

Was told that Hauppauge was the "go to" name back in the day; so their analog tuners should be pretty top-notch. The PCI tuner I have now is a rebranded Hauppauge unit which has been great so far but it's just a single tuner and it's PCI (Not express).
 
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