New HTPC Build: Gut Check

[Anfallgel]

Hey all,

We're moving across the country to a new place and after researching cable TV options to accompany my 42" HDTV, I've decided that for the $140/month that it'd cost me to get digital TV with HD channels and a DVR, I'd instead try an HTPC only using media available on the Internet or physical media (mostly Netflix & HULU). Also, I will be piping audio out to an AVR.

With that in mind, do you see any glaring holes in my build or any suggestions to bring cost down a bit? I do know that my case choice might be scrutinized, so my justification was this: Small form factor = happy wife, front panel card reader, integrated IR receiver, solid construction.

• CASE - Moneual MonCaso 312B - $240.00
• MOBO - Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H - $87.00
• CPU - i3 530 Clarkdale - $115.00
• PSU - Antec EarthWatts 430w - $50.00
• RAM - Crucial 2gb (2x1gb) DDR3 1333 - $58.00
• HD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB - $70.00
• BLUERAY - LITE-ON 4x Blue-Ray Reader - $65.00
• WIRELESS - TRENDnet 638APB Access Point - $55.00

Total Cost: $750.00

I've done a lot of research to zone in the best power consumption - noise - performance - function - price ratio ... however any advice is welcomed.

Thanks for taking a look.

 

[nd4spdbh2]

u looked at antec's offerings for an matx htpc case.... i think theirs are a bit cheaper... come with a psu and are quite nice.

 

[Tsnowflake]

You might consider getting a 5570 for a dedicated GPU. It would fit your low profile case and has enough horse power to properly handle all the nice post-processing enhancements. There also exists a low profile passive version if you are big on silent computing. They are low on the power usage too.

passive low profile 5570
low profile 5570\

Anand's take on the 5570

 

[Anfallgel]

u looked at antec's offerings for an matx htpc case.... i think theirs are a bit cheaper... come with a psu and are quite nice.

I had looked at these originally and discounted them for one reason or another. However, taking another look I've decided to change out Moneual for an Antec Black Fusion. Its a bit bigger than I wanted and the LCD panel seems wonky, but airflow is going to be better and its $100 cheaper...