Hi from NC

[tonyps]

Die Hard tinkerer doing research to build my first ever "Budget HTPC"....I have built many "PCs" for myself and family/friends over the years, but never a machine for mostly strictly use as a HTPC.
My end goal here is to have a useable and expandable machine that is:
Inexpensive, Quiet and does not take up a lot of space (uATX??)
Can run either Windows 7 or Linux (probably start out with Windows 7 and Media Center w/extender)
Capable of downloading material to view in 1080p/720
rip/watch blu-ray content
Able to connect to my AV receiver for audio/surround sound
One goal being to eventually replace my satellite/cable TV service
I would like to go the AMD route since I am a big fan
My budget currently maxes out at around $400.00 for the near future...
I searched around for some recent articles on the topic, read much of what is posted and figured I would post here to get more updated info..
Thanks in advance for your input/suggestions...
Tony S.
U.S.Army (Retired)

[ApexBoost]

Welcome to the forums!

[Tony J]

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome - been using this site for a year now and it's been very helpful! Hope up you have the same experience!

[MathieuB]

The Budget HTPCs: http://www.hardware-revolution.com/budge...gust-2011/ are in your price range and fit in Micro-ATX (which used to be called u-ATX) cases.

However, they are a tad too slow in my opinion to rip HD/Blu ray content.

Here's a modified build that would do the job and also allows for light gaming, based on an AMD Llano APU (aka Fusion or CPU and GPU on a single chip), without wreaking your budget.

Motherboard: $75 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157260
APU (CPU and GPU): $100 AMD A6-3500 Llano 2.1GHz (2.4GHz Max Turbo) 65W Triple-Core, Radeon HD 6530D, CPU Cooler included. Only 65W so it shouldn't be too noisy.
HDMI video output
RAM: $26 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231396
Samsung F4EG 5,400rpm 2TB Hard Drive $80: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042SGDVG/
Blu Ray reader: $55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6827151222
Case: $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811163174
PSU: $38 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817151086
PSU is OEM though, so you'll need to get a power cord if you don't have a spare one.
Sound: Integrated on the motherboard, Optical S/PDIF output to your receiver.

That would come up to $434.

Let me know if you have any questions

Cheers,
Mathieu

[Final692]

The Budget HTPCs: http://www.hardware-revolution.com/budge...gust-2011/ are in your price range and fit in Micro-ATX (which used to be called u-ATX) cases.

However, they are a tad too slow in my opinion to rip HD/Blu ray content.

Here's a modified build that would do the job and also allows for light gaming, based on an AMD Llano APU (aka Fusion or CPU and GPU on a single chip), without wreaking your budget.

Motherboard: $75 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157260
APU (CPU and GPU): $100 AMD A6-3500 Llano 2.1GHz (2.4GHz Max Turbo) 65W Triple-Core, Radeon HD 6530D, CPU Cooler included. Only 65W so it shouldn't be too noisy.
HDMI video output
Samsung F4EG 5,400rpm 2TB Hard Drive $80: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042SGDVG/
Blu Ray reader: $55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6827151222
Case: $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811163174
PSU: $38 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817151086
PSU is OEM though, so you'll need to get a power cord if you don't have a spare one.
Sound: Integrated on the motherboard, Optical S/PDIF output to your receiver.

That would come up to $408.

Let me know if you have any questions

Cheers,
Mathieu

Missing some ram on that I believe.

[MathieuB]

Indeed, thanks for pointing that out. Edited my previous post to add the RAM.