HTPC/Media PC/NAS planning help

[Guest]

I've been thinking about building a home theater PC for a little while but I don't really know what parts are necessary and which aren't. I'm thinking about combining a NAS, HTPC and have the ability to use Steam streaming with smooth FPS. Any advice on core components(CPU, MOBO, GPU?, PSU, etc) would be greatly appreciated. Also my budget is ~$600 USD. And the smaller the form factor the better.

[TRINHbot1101001]

So you would want a Mini-ITX PC? How's this:

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kZ26K8

 

Should be more than enough for what you would be doing. And you'd probably add more drives if you're using it as a NAS

[DenzelFenzel]

why not get a Zotac ZBox, its small and features a GTX860M which is similar to a GTX750

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883218041

[Guest]

why not get a Zotac ZBox, its small and features a GTX860M which is similar to a GTX750

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883218041

I would have to buy RAM and storage which would cost around $180

[Guest]

So you would want a Mini-ITX PC? How's this:

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kZ26K8

 

Should be more than enough for what you would be doing. And you'd probably add more drives if you're using it as a NAS

this is great thanks. do you think the i3 will be enough?

[TRINHbot1101001]

this is great thanks. do you think the i3 will be enough?

Yeah an i3 should be enough. Will you playing games directly on the PC or only streaming them from a main PC?

[Guest]

Mostly streaming

[TRINHbot1101001]

Mostly streaming

So yeah, this build should be able to handle just that and more. You can still install games on it if you want to, since the 750 ti can play games like BF4 at decent framerates.

[Guest]

So yeah, this build should be able to handle just that and more. You can still install games on it if you want to, since the 750 ti can play games like BF4 at decent framerates.

 

with the recent price drops i could probably pick up a 760 or 280 for extra uumf

[TRINHbot1101001]

with the recent price drops i could probably pick up a 760 or 280 for extra uumf

Yeah, definitely. I was just trying to stay under your $600 budget. Because you have to remember, while the price says 560-something dollars, that's only after mail-in rebates and you'll initially be spending a bit over $600 with this build.  You'll get those rebates in Amex gift cards, and they take forever to receive. I still haven't gotten mine from about 2 months ago. So keep that in mind when you're spending, because while it feels like you're "saving" money with those rebates, it isn't as if the rebate money is going back into your credit card.

[Guest]

Yeah, definitely. I was just trying to stay under your $600 budget. Because you have to remember, while the price says 560-something dollars, that's only after mail-in rebates and you'll initially be spending a bit over $600 with this build. You'll get those rebates in Amex gift cards, and they take forever to receive. I still haven't gotten mine from about 2 months ago. So keep that in mind when you're spending, because while it feels like you're "saving" money with those rebates, it isn't as if the rebate money is going back into your credit card.

Yeah I've learned to hate rebate but I think I'm going to wait awhile to save up a little bit more