Jump to content

Building a cheap HTPC

Acek94
By Acek94
in Home Theater Equipment
 Share
Posted

Hey guys I am looking for a build for a HTPC for my parents, they want to stop our cable subscription and move to a Netflix / Hulu / etc service. This is the build I was thinking, but I feel it could be a little cheaper:
 

Cart Item List:

 

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price 1

22-236-339-03.jpg

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822236339
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $74.99
$69.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

19-113-281-04.jpg

AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic
Item #:N82E16819113281
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

  $99.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

33-704-040-14.jpg

TP-LINK TL-WN851ND Wireless N300 PCI Adapter, 300Mbps, w/WPS Button, IEEE 802.1b/g/n, 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2
Item #:N82E16833704040
Return Policy: Networking Extended Return Policy

  $34.99
$24.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

20-104-263-02.jpg

Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 Plug n Play Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820104263
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

  $52.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

11-163-234-16.jpg

SilverStone SG06S-LITE Silver Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Item #:N82E16811163234
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $44.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

13-157-363-02.jpg

ASRock FM2A75M-ITX R2.0 Mini ITX AMD Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813157363
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $89.99
$84.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

17-338-081-02.jpg

Athena Power AP-MFATX40 400W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817338081
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $113.99
$78.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif Grand Total: $456.93

 

The OS I'll probably just do a Linux Ubuntu and as for the peripherals, I have a tablet that I can setup to use as a keyboard / mouse.
I was thinking about changing the CPU to dual core but I don't know if the money is worth the speed drop. This build is a mini ITX build, however I would consider an ATX  if it's in a similar size, as long as the PC fits in our TV stand. So please take a look at the build and tell me what you think, if you have a better build feel free to share it with me.

P.S. I used Newegg and I got this list buy just emailing it to my self then coping and pasting it here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

$456 is pretty damn cheap. I was able to build a computer with a dedicated graphics card and an i3 sandy bridge for $270 on amazon. 

Since you are using a free OS you could probably bring that price down quite a bit. 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

You could just use pcpartpicker to organize your build instead.

If it's just an HTPC, a single ssd should do, no?

Also, the G1610 has no problem playing 1080p bluray and is great for a HTPC.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1ipTq

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Yeah is cheap for what you get, but the cheaper it is, the more likely my dad will consider it.

I'll try PCPartPicker, the only reason I went with Newegg is because it was just more convenient. I honestly don't see the need for SSD speed, I'd rather have more storage capabilities. I chose AMD just because I know them better than Intel, plus I like the APU, but if you can give me a better build for around the same price then let me know, I'd be really interested to see. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

 

I was taking a look at this build, I had one question, would that PSU fit into that case? As far as I can tell that is an ATX PSU. Also the RAM on the board is dual channel, so I need at least 2 sticks of memory, if I recall correctly. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I was taking a look at this build, I had one question, would that PSU fit into that case? As far as I can tell that is an ATX PSU. Also the RAM on the board is dual channel, so I need at least 2 sticks of memory, if I recall correctly. 

The Psu is SFX. Just read the name..

The board supports both dual and single channel ram. You don't need dual channel.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Ok thanks for clarifying that for me. I'll definitely run this build through with my dad. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hey guys I am looking for a build for a HTPC for my parents, they want to stop our cable subscription and move to a Netflix / Hulu / etc service. 

If they are just using netflix,hulu,etc then why not just get a roku or similiar streamer. Its cheaper and easier to use; I don't know about your parents but mine are not tech savy

 

i9 25.6 GHz with NeuronThreading, 256gb 6000 MHz RAM, GTX 990 OC 3024MHz 12gb, Skeletal X99 motherboard, 1 Petabyte SSD, Fractal Design Humaniod R1 Case, Herbivore 10,000W PSU, Noctua NF16 LP Derma Cooler.

Probably the only Star Citizen player who is planning on a career in Journalism instead of piracy, mining, trading, exploration, military, station management, etc.

Generation 0: The first time you see this add 1 to the number and copy it into your sig. Consider it a social experiment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

They do have a Roku but they want to move it to the bedroom, problem is my dad likes to watch F1 and the Roku doesn't allow 50fps streaming and with F1 it's a big deal, makes the panning shots very choppy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hey guys I am looking for a build for a HTPC for my parents, they want to stop our cable subscription and move to a Netflix / Hulu / etc service. This is the build I was thinking, but I feel it could be a little cheaper:

 

Cart Item List:

 

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price 1

22-236-339-03.jpg

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Item #:N82E16822236339

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $74.99

$69.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

19-113-281-04.jpg

AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic

Item #:N82E16819113281

Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

  $99.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

33-704-040-14.jpg

TP-LINK TL-WN851ND Wireless N300 PCI Adapter, 300Mbps, w/WPS Button, IEEE 802.1b/g/n, 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2

Item #:N82E16833704040

Return Policy: Networking Extended Return Policy

  $34.99

$24.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

20-104-263-02.jpg

Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 Plug n Play Desktop Memory

Item #:N82E16820104263

Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

  $52.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

11-163-234-16.jpg

SilverStone SG06S-LITE Silver Computer Case With Side Panel Window

Item #:N82E16811163234

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $44.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

13-157-363-02.jpg

ASRock FM2A75M-ITX R2.0 Mini ITX AMD Motherboard

Item #:N82E16813157363

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $89.99

$84.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif 1

17-338-081-02.jpg

Athena Power AP-MFATX40 400W Power Supply

Item #:N82E16817338081

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $113.99

$78.99

btn_ADD-TO-CART.gif Grand Total: $456.93

 

The OS I'll probably just do a Linux Ubuntu and as for the peripherals, I have a tablet that I can setup to use as a keyboard / mouse.

I was thinking about changing the CPU to dual core but I don't know if the money is worth the speed drop. This build is a mini ITX build, however I would consider an ATX  if it's in a similar size, as long as the PC fits in our TV stand. So please take a look at the build and tell me what you think, if you have a better build feel free to share it with me.

P.S. I used Newegg and I got this list buy just emailing it to my self then coping and pasting it here.

i think you should get a lower powered PSU, you dont have a dedicated gpu, and i doubt that you'd pull more than 150 W. Check the efficiency of your PSU at lower power draws, as it might not be as efficient.

Primary: 2017 Macbook Pro 15 2.9GHz with Aorus GTX 1070 eGPU / 512GB nvme ssd/ Samsung 840 pro 256gb/ Samsung 860 pro 512gb/ Samsung 27" CHG70 144Hz/ K95 / Razer Deathadder chroma

Secondary [AMD FX 8350 4.8Ghz/Gigabyte 990fxa-u3 v.4/ Asus R9 280x dcuii OC/Amd radeon 1866Mhz  32GB ram/ Samsung 840 pro 256GB x2/Naga Death Adder 2013/ corsair k95/ Dell 2312HM x 2/ Corsair 750D/ Corsair RM850/ Winows 7 Ultimate 64bit Backup : [AMD Phenom II 965 BE/MSI 790gx-65/XFX Radeon HD 4870/6GB Kingston Hyper X 1600MHz/Intel 520 480GB/OCZ Vertex 4 256GB/WD Black 500GB/Corsair Plat 860W/CM Advanced II Black & White/ /MX 518/Vengence k95/ Samsung 2333HD/vista64]Server- Intel i3 3220T / Asus H61M-A/16GB Kingston HyperX 1600/Intel 330 60GB/2TB x 3 WD Black/Sony Bravia 40" LED/Harman Kardon AVR 260 & HKTS 20 speakers/Ubuntu 13.04/ Fractal Node 605] 
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

22-236-339-03.jpg

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Item #:N82E16822236339

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

  $74.99

$69.99

Just wanted to point out that NCIX has this for 59.99 if you're on a tight budget.

i9 25.6 GHz with NeuronThreading, 256gb 6000 MHz RAM, GTX 990 OC 3024MHz 12gb, Skeletal X99 motherboard, 1 Petabyte SSD, Fractal Design Humaniod R1 Case, Herbivore 10,000W PSU, Noctua NF16 LP Derma Cooler.

Probably the only Star Citizen player who is planning on a career in Journalism instead of piracy, mining, trading, exploration, military, station management, etc.

Generation 0: The first time you see this add 1 to the number and copy it into your sig. Consider it a social experiment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Home Theater Equipment

×