• Buildin' an HD Media Center.
    23 replies, posted
Sup FP. I'm building a cheap HTPC. Where do I go from here? How do I get compatible and inexpensive parts without missing all the combo deals? All I know is that I want it to smoothly play both cable TV with a tuner and 1080p off of the Blu-Ray drive, as well as host my pictures and iTunes library. I have an old PS2 keyboard, an HD projector, and a speaker system, but I need a mouse. Also my budget is around $600-700, because I'm selling my 2004 Mac Mini (plus it's external HDD) and 2007 old custom built for a combined $600. Public wish list: [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20041508[/url]
I used a generic gigabyte µATX motherboard, an i3 and 2GB of corsair PC3-12800 and it plays it smoothly using Windows 7 and XBMC Very cheap setup, has a 1.5TB samsung spinpoint which I've only used 350GB of with ~40 movies.
I hear the Atom motherboard/processor/graphics combo is really good for this kind of thing, especially if it's got Nvidia ION as the integrated graphics (IIRC it's the equivalent of an 8700 or something, enough to playback 1080p without lag). It's dirt cheap too. Last I checked, you could pick up an Atom 330 for around $150. Grab one of those (or a newer one, I think the 4xx line is out now) and a mini-ITX case. Oh yeah, and they use VERY little electricity. Some models don't even require a PSU, they just have a netbook-type charger.
Lol no way you're getting that much for your mini. I only got $250 for my 07 macbook.
[QUOTE=Slithersoul;23938533]Lol no way you're getting that much for your mini. I only got $250 for my 07 macbook.[/QUOTE] [quote][B]and 2007 old custom built for a [U]combined[/U] $600. [/B][/quote]
[QUOTE=Slithersoul;23938533]Lol no way you're getting that much for your mini. I only got $250 for my 07 macbook.[/QUOTE] Also you got ripped off, you should have got around $350 if you paid $850 for it around 2/3 years ago
[QUOTE=FINLEY;23940509]Also you got ripped off, you should have got around $350 if you paid $850 for it around 2/3 years ago[/QUOTE] nope The same laptops on ebay were going for about $250 too
[QUOTE=FINLEY;23940509]Also you got ripped off, you should have got around $350 if you paid $850 for it around 2/3 years ago[/QUOTE] Have you seen the specs of a 2007 Macbook?? $250 is a reasonable price.
[QUOTE=ghostofme;23944808]Have you seen the specs of a 2007 Macbook?? $250 is a reasonable price.[/QUOTE] scary I was so happy seeing that guy walk away with my macbook in tow
I suppose I'm thinking in pounds which doesn't always translate very well into dollars [QUOTE=ghostofme;23944808]Have you seen the specs of a 2007 Macbook?? $250 is a reasonable price.[/QUOTE] Since when has the average mac user cared about specs?
[QUOTE=FINLEY;23946350] Since when has the average mac user cared about specs?[/QUOTE] True
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131635]What luck, an Atom 330 with a built-in RF tuner, AND remote! I think I might have overestimated the cost of this build.[/url]
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222[/url] Rapes an atom 330 for $5 less :colbert:
[QUOTE=Tools;23951472][url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222[/url] Rapes an atom 330 for $5 less :colbert:[/QUOTE] Both links are a core i3. Is one supposed to be a motherboard?
[QUOTE=Tools;23951472][url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222[/url] Rapes an atom 330 for $5 less :colbert:[/QUOTE] But then I have to find a TV tuner (and find a MiniITX case that fits it). [editline]02:35AM[/editline] Public wish list: [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20041508[/url]
[QUOTE=Hypershadsy;23952167]But then I have to find a TV tuner (and find a MiniITX case that fits it). [editline]02:35AM[/editline] Public wish list: [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20041508[/url][/QUOTE] You are missing RAM.
[QUOTE=Kialtia;23959727]You are missing RAM.[/QUOTE] I just realized that last night. Something DDR3. I think I'll do 2GB. Any good manufacturers?
[QUOTE=Hypershadsy;23967982]I just realized that last night. Something DDR3. I think I'll do 2GB. Any good manufacturers?[/QUOTE] GSKILL CORSAIR I have personal experience with both, and was very pleased with both brands. I had 1 bad GSKILL Dimm, but the RMA was overnight air and they paid for it.
Updated to Contain GSKILL 2x1GB DDR3 1066.
Also I heard patriot has good memory. And it's cheap too, $70 for 4GB after rebate :v:
[QUOTE=Slithersoul;23975869]Also I heard patriot has good memory. And it's cheap too, $70 for 4GB after rebate :v:[/QUOTE] I don't see why I'd need more than 2GB. Enlighten me.
Well for an HD media center probably wouldn't be necessary
Looks like a solid system. And you won't need more than 2 GB unless you are streaming really long uncompressed AVI's at resolutions higher than 1080p. Even then 2GB should handle it decently.
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