Budget SFF HTPC help?

[techun]

So for christmas I'm looking on asking for some stuff to build a HTPC, and just have fun with it. Currently I only have a laptop so I miss a desktop :).

I'm looking a shuttle barebones kit, or something cute and small to keep in my living room with my tv as it's only monitor.

shuttle KPC K45 $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101064

E5200 2.5ghz 2mb (this is what I need help on!) $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

I'm basically looking for a processor that will do everything I need from it quickly and keep everything smooth. I won't be playing intense games on this computer at all.

2 gigs of 667 ram $30

500 gig sata HDD $55

tv tuner card $20

I have a cd/dvd drive already..

This gives me a very cheap, but non upgradeable system, that comes in under 300 total (which I could do for christmas)

If I could get a case with DVI, HDMI, or a pci-e16 slot for upgrading that would be better...



also what are some things you can do with HTPCs? I just got the itch to tinker with something and this seems like a good idea to learn about stuff. I also want to be able to set up a network where I can watch videos/tv stored on the HTPC on my laptop via wireless or something cool :)

[Kasm]

Sounds like an good idea, even got me thinking. But as you said it lacks the ability to be upgraded later. The shuttle has a pci slot that will be used for a tv card but alot of people suggest getting a lower end video card to offload any HD content from the cpu. Does anyone know a tv card can do that as well as capture video? Of course if you aren't worries about HD then you have no problem.

[techun]

Yeah I'm thinking I want a pci slot and a pcie16 slot for a cheap video card just to handle all that, but I am pretty clueless

[techun]

This looks like it could work too, it's a little big and more expensive, but it has spidf in and out (useful for me) and pci16, more ram slots (probably wont go over 3 gigs though, as the fourth would be a waste)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856110062

[techun]

So I'm strongly considering moving to that Asus case. I like Asus a lot (my laptop) and it has a lot more features and upgrade-ability for $50. The card reader and front USB will be nice too if someone brings over a movie or we want to view some pictures quickly.

I can use the spidf out, but I have some questions. When I watch a DVD on it, will it output surround sound via the optical to my receiver?


Thoughts? I can't really skimp any more on any of the items, unless I can get a processor for cheap from the classifieds (looking now!)

Does anyone know if this case has a cpu cooler built into it? Can I get an OEM cpu?

[techun]

bump to figure out about the CPU cooler on the ASUS, and other questions

[techun]

Alright, I'm going to go a new direction for this.

AMD Athlon X2 4850E CPU - $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H AMD 780G mATX Motherboard - $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090

Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $23 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134636

Western Digital WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $60

Silverstone SUGO SG02B-F Black mATX Case - $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163112

Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
or
OCZ 500w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012

thoughts? suggestions?

[stang8118]

The Shuttles kinda scare me. Seems they mostly come with a very weak PSU. That setup with the Silverstone case looks pretty solid, and looks like you can put it together for pretty cheap.

[techun]

After reading this review, I am definitely going to be getting the AMD+gigabyte mobo combo.

http://hothardware.com/Articles/AMD-780G-Chipset-and-Athlon-X2-4850e-Preview-/?page=1

I can't tell you guys how excited I am to have a computer again! Thanks!

[scoobydoo]

FWIW I run a Shuttle K45 as my HTPC and I have another waiting to be built for the bedroom. It has been running 24/7 since I built it a month ago without a single problem. For under $200 it is a great little pc to play movies and music

I have an E4300 running in it and it will play 720p content perfectly on my 37" lcd using the onboard video. I also play 720p video(planet earth) and play music at the same time with no problems

I have owned about 5 Shuttles over the past few years and havent had a single problem with any of them. Unless I decide to start gaming I am never going back to a "normal" pc again

[KosAMD]

Linux or XP?

[zizux]

I have built a few htpc's based on 780g mobo's they are awesome. That being said I would go with the asus mobo over the gigabyte, I've owned both, I just find the asus better.

I've had 3 dif setups in there starting with a 690g motherboard, then I went with the 780g from gigabyte when they came out and have sence moved on to the asus 780g motherboard. I've used a few cpu's but found that the 45w ones are able to handle everything I need and run cooler.

I am using this case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027

It is cheap, but blends in well with my other gear, most people don't realize its a pc untill I tell them. The only issue I have is my blueray drive longer then most and so I ran into clearance issues with the oem heatsink, I solved that by getting a 1u copper cooler for servers.

I recently added a hd3450 for hybrid crossfire and have been playing TF2 using my xbox 360 controller. I don't notice any lag running 720p.