Frankenstein HTPC

[Crazysmurf]

I recently upgraded my gaming computer so i have some extra parts and I would love to use as many of them as possible to cut down on the cost of an HTPC. I could use some help deciding what to toss and what other parts I should get.

Parts I Already Own
CASE:
CPU:
MOBO:
GFX CARD: BFG 8800 GT
RAM: 4GB DDR 3
HDD: 2TB SATA
PSU: I have an old 450W PSU from a few builds ago (Okia-450ATX) not sure if I can / want to use it
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit
DVD DRIVE: DVD Burner
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2

Intended Use
I would like to run XBMC with HD 1080P video capability. I also will probably install emulators (SNES / NES / Saturn / N64).

What I am thinking
I am unsure of what mobo / cpu to get. If I was building this from scratch I would just use the onboard graphics from one of the suggested boards, but since I have an extra 8800 GT I would like to avoid onboard graphics if I can. I definitely need suggestions on a PSU the 8800 GT minimum is 400W. I also know that hte 8800 GT is a long gfx card and I am unsure of which case to get.

Budget
Case + PSU + Processor + Mobo = Less than $250 if possible

Thank you very much for any help at all!

 

[AQ_OC]

I could chunk the big graphics card and just get a cpu/mobo combo that has on-board video. Why build an HPTC using a part that requires a 400W PSU? Just because you have an old part doesn't mean it is smart to use it in an HTPC. You can sell it, perhaps.

Why not use the PSU you have, the case, burner, ram, and OS? Just get an H67 micro or itx mobo with an i3...there is a version of the i3 that has HD3000 graphics...or you can go with a fanless radeon HD 6450 or something like that, if you really want off-board graphics. Or you can go AMD for the chip too...they have more powerful graphics (radeon HD 63XX level) than the i3....(I don't have one so I'll let others comment on which chip). Personally I like the i3/HD6450 solution better, but that's me.

Another idea: Leave off the PSU and you can meet your price easy...get a case with a built in PSU.
Case=$50
i3=$125
mobo=$75

case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...17075X740592X612feff23830b635382339eaa804e325
mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131727R
i3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115090

You will probably also want a slimx3 cpu cooler too.

 

[Helicopter]

Agreed with AQ_OC, might as well just get a combo that will work well together from the got go. That 8800GT was great for gaming, back in the day but it's all but useless in a HTPC. Those parts he listed will be perfect, and hit right at your price mark.

 

[kac77]

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$59.99

Kingston Value 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3S8N9K2/4G
$23.99

BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$54.99

Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623G620
$76.99


nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Steel HTPC 3000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
$59.99

Subtotal: $250.95

 

[Carlitos714]

I would get an i3-2105 and mobo with onboard video. I would sell the 8800 gt. nMEDIAPC cases are nice. I have one and love it.

 

[Crazysmurf]

Thanks for all the help. I'm building this thing bit by bit so ill just wait for 1 or 2 more things to go on special and than I'll build the thing with an i3 and an onboard video.

 

[kac77]

Thanks for all the help. I'm building this thing bit by bit so ill just wait for 1 or 2 more things to go on special and than I'll build the thing with an i3 and an onboard video.

You would be better off getting a discrete video card or saving the case for Blu Ray or something like that over the difference between that 620 and the i3. When you have decent GPU hardware acceleration that CPU utilisation will be around 10% no matter if it's Intel or AMD. There's no point in paying an additional 50 - 70 bucks for power I can guarantee you will never use.