• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

HTPC CPU/Mobo/RAM - $200

radgoos

radgoos

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
140
Need new parts for my HTPC. I am looking for performance as good as an AMD A6-3500, and keeping power comsumption and costs low.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
HTPC duties, 1080p mkv's, light gaming (Ex: Street Fighter x Tekken, Stepmania)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$200 not inc shipping and taxes
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

US Port Saint Lucie, FL
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/Mobo/RAM
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
WD 120GB SATA Hard Drive, Cosair CX430 PSU
6) Will you be overclocking?
Nope
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1080p TV HDMI
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next 2 weeks
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.
Gigabit LAN, SATA, USB 3.0, HDMI
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Windows 7 64-bit


Updated shopping list based on feedback:
AMD
Kingston Technology HyperX 4 GB Kit (2x2GB Modules) 1333 (PC3 10666) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM KHX1333C9D3K2/4​G
Biostar DDR2 1066 Socket P Socket FM2/ AMD A75/ DDR3/ SATA3 and USB3.0/ A and GbE/ MicroATX Motherboard TA75MH2
AMD A10-5800K APU 3.8Ghz Processor AD580KWOHJBOX

OR

Intel
Crucial Ballistix Sport Very Low Profile 4GB DDR3-1600 1.35V UDIMM 240-Pin Desktop Memory Module BLS4G3D1609ES2LX0
GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor
Thoughts, Adjustments?
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
You should put HDMI in the answer to #9 since it doesn't appear that you are reusing a discrete graphics card that has HDMI, therefore the motherboard will need it.

I just built an Intel setup with an H61 motherboard, G860 CPU and 8GB of Samsung's low profile DDR3 RAM. The only thing that AMD setup does better is graphics; but if you aren't gaming on it then you don't need the extra GPU power the APU setup will have over the Intel setup. I do intend to game on mine and I have played L4D using the Intels HD Graphics, but I intend to go with a discrete graphics card later when I get more serious about gaming on it.
 
not planning on major gaming, I have a seperate computer for that
 
Last edited:
Why are you considering spending >$100 on the cpu?

The Intel G540 ($50) easily handles HTPC duties.
 
my previous HTPC had an A6-3500 which worked perfectly fine until the onboard video died, I stream 15GB-20GB 1080p 5.1 mkv's over gigabit network. Also some light gaming such as stepmania and Street Fighter x Tekken, but nothing major. If a cheaper CPU can handle that then I'm all ears
 
Last edited:
Do not use that RAM with that Intel CPU, being 1.65 volts it could damage the CPU. Go with this RAM.

$27 - Crucial Ballistix Sport Very Low Profile 4GB DDR3-1600 1.35V UDIMM 240-Pin Desktop Memory Module BLS4G3D1609ES2LX0 (Newegg has it for $22)

1. It's cheaper than the RAM you selected.
2. It's low profile so it wont get in the way of anything.
3. It's low voltage (even below 1.5v) so it can save a penny or two on the power bill
4. It allows you to add more RAM later without actually having to replace anything.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for noticing that. Should I do 1 4GB stick or 2x2GB sticks? Dual Channel and all.
 
You wont notice an iota of difference between a single 4GB stick or 2x2GB stick of DDR3. Dual channel, much like RAM speed and timings, have very little effect on performance with Intel CPUs. I would go with a single 4GB stick, simply because you can then add 3 more 4GB sticks later should you need to for a total of 16GB. If you did that with a 2x2GB kit, then you'll only be able to add 8GB more to the system for a total of 12GB. Plus, being that I too am building an home server (file server/nas) to compliment my HTPC recording, I've learned that the low profile RAM is nice for getting the RAM in tight places. I currently use Samsungs 1.35 low profile RAM in my HTPC. It's so low profile, the sticks don't even protrude beyond the tabs that snap the RAM into place. Gives me plenty of flexibility for aftermarket coolers that may hover over the RAM slots.

For reference, I'm rocking an Pentium G860 CPU in my HTPC with 8GB DDR3. I tried playing L4D at 1680x1050 and it played just fine. You can read my experience here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top