Building a HTPC at 20K

[Death_Knight]

I need to build a HTPC for a relative of mine. Since it would be kept in the living room, good look is a priority.

1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: Strictly a HTPC... watching movies, listening music and net surfing. No programming or hifi gaming at all.

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: Of course

3. What is your MAX budget?
A: 20K, may flex a little if its really worthy

4. Planning to overclock?
A: No

5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Win7

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: 500GB

7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want? If you already want have one and want to use it, mention its resolution and size.
A: Will be connected to the already existing Samsung 26" LCD TV (LA26R71BA) with 1366x768 res via HDMI

8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
A: 8

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: A lot

10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: ASAP when this is finalized

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Most probably won't change anything in future

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: Already have the TV, require everything else

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Kolkata. Don't want to go through the hassle of online purchase

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A: The machine will be placed on the Gautier wall unit underneath (or beside) the TV in the living room, so no ugly clanky cabbys. Looking for the Antec NSK 1480. Antec Minuet 350 or even NSK 1380 would suffice. But no idea about price or availability. Need help specially for choosing the cabby...

 

[Demon Lord]

CPU-AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz@4750
MB-Asus M4A88T-M AMD880G@4500
RAM-2x2gb 1333GHz kingston@2600
HD-1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm@2700Graphics-Onboard.
OD-LG 22x dvd rw@950
Input Devices-Logitech deluxe 250 combo@600
CABINET-Cooler master elite 335@2300
PSU-Corsair cx 430@2100
Speakers-Altec Lansing vs2621 2.1@1600
Sound card-Onboard
TOTAL-20K approx

 

[Piyush]

nice setup
but FSP saga 500W @ 2k and NZXT gamma @ 2k/CM elite 430 @ 2.5k seems better

 

[Demon Lord]

@death knight:as u intend only to watch movies and browse.i think u can still reduce the cost by opting AMD Athlon 2 x2 255@2700
and 2gb ram kingston@1300.
with the remaining money u can get good speakers.
@piyush:does that system really need 500W PSU,i was thinking of reducing the 430W to 250W.
correct me if am wrong

 

[furious_gamer]

For that setup, FSP 400W is enough.

 

[Piyush]

no...500W is not needed there
but i was jut pointing out a good PSU @ 2k instead of CX 430

as furious gamer said..FSP saga II 400W @ 1.8k is enough for him

 

[mitraark]

I heard the new CX430 are very good , not sure though.

Anyways , do consider atleast 1 TB HDD.

 

[furious_gamer]

I heard the new CX430 are very good , not sure though.

Anyways , do consider atleast 1 TB HDD.

CX430 is not required for this setup. Even a FSP 400W @ 1.7k will do fine and OP can save up the left over money and eat KFC chicken.

CPU-AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz@4750
MB-Asus M4A88T-M AMD880G@4500
RAM-2x2gb 1333GHz kingston@2600
HD-1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm@2700
OD-LG 22x dvd rw@950
Input Devices-Logitech deluxe 250 combo@600
CABINET-Cooler master elite 335@2300
PSU-Corsair cx 430@2100
Speakers-Altec Lansing vs2621 2.1@1600
Sound card-Onboard
TOTAL-20K approx

 

[vickybat]

A discrete gpu is necessary for applying video filters and to take good advantage of gpu acceleration. Infact this where htpc's have advantage over standalone media players. Believe me, it will do wonderfully good to your hdtv and allow you to enjoy crisp 1080p videos like never before. It will look far better than it looked originally. Just use media player classic homecinema and its a freeware.

So here goes my config:

Proccessor|AMD Athlon II X3 440 |3.6k
Motherboard|Asus M4A78LT-M LE | 2.6k
Psu|FSP SAGA II 400| 1.8k
Hdd|Seagate 500GB 7200.12| 1.7k
Ram|Corsair 4gb single xms | 2.4k
Gpu|MSI R6450-MD1GD3H LP Graphic Card | 3.4k
Kb/mouse|Logitech wireless kb/mouse(entry level) | 1.3k
Cabinet| Zebronics pro series anna | 1.3k
Speakers|Logitech Z-506 (5.1 speakers)| 5.5K
Soundcard|Creative soundblaster 5.1vx | 1k
Optical drive| Lg 22x dvd/rw| 0.7k
Total| | 25k

I exceeded your budget but this is a complete htpc setup with wireless keyboard + mouse combo and a discrete video card for full gpu acceleration of fullhd movies. The 5.1speakers are a must have for htpc and the ones i mentioned are a bare minimum. The soundcard is enough for the above speakers. Just save up a bit and get the components.

p.s- Cilus is an expert in video filters and knows a lot about video post processing etc. He's the one who showed me how dramatically the video is upscaled with additional textures whilst applying video filters. You can pm him to know more about applying video filters and take full use of gpu acceleration.

 

[Cilus]

Here goes my suggestion:

Athlon II 250 @ 2.7K
Corsair 4 GB 1333 MHz value ram @ 2.1K
Asus M4A78LT-M LE @ 2.6K
Seagate 1 TB 7200.12 @ 2.6K
Sapphire HD 5670 512 MB @ 4K
LG 22X DVD Writer @ 0.9K
NZXT Gama @ 2.1K
SP SAGA 450W @ 1.7K
Keybaord & Mouse: Input Devices-Logitech deluxe 250 combo @0.6K
Speakers-Altec Lansing vs2621 2.1 @ 1.6K

Total is 21 K. The reason for including a GPU is that although the onboard graphics can handle HD content, it just support fuid playback, nothing else at all. But a dedicated GPU can actually add the following benefits to HD content Playback:

1. Image Enhancement
2. Video upscaling
3. Far smoother HD playback, especially for the 1080P content.
4. Applying post processing filtes while using GPU acceleration enabled players like Media Player Classic Home cinema, sPlayer etc. Applying Post processing filter can actually dramatically enhance the quality.

 

[Piyush]

yes...gotta agree with vicky
what is a HTPC without 5.1 and wireless combo.

also if OP wanna reduce cost a bit, the he can
go for 2gb ram for now....it'd enough i guess

and here are some links to cheap and yet powerful 4.1/5.1 speakers

Creative Inspire M4500 Speaker 4.1 Channel

Creative Inspire T6160 5.1 speakers

for gpu...HD 5570 @ 3.5k is enough

@cilus
where did you find 5670 @ 4k :O

 

[Cilus]

Check the lynx-india price. There is a high price drop in all the Sapphire product. in fact in lynx-india, the Sapphire HD 5670 1 GB is available @ 3.85K including the 5% vat. Here is the Link

 

[Demon Lord]

Config v2.0 Revised! CPU-AMD Athlon2 x2 255 3.1GHz@2700
MB-Asus M4A88T-M AMD880G@
4500
RAM-2gb 1333GHz kingston@1300
HD-1TB Seagate Barracuda
7200rpm@2700 Graphics-Asus EAH5450 SILENT 1GB@2400
OD-LG 22x dvd rw@950
Input Devices-Logitech deluxe
250 combo@600
CABINET-Cooler master elite
335@2300
PSU-FSP SAGA 400W@1800
Speakers-Creative 5.1 surroundT6160@3500
Sound card-Onboard
TOTAL-20K approx

 

[vickybat]

@ cilus

That's a secondhand card buddy. It comes without warranty and box pack. Went for 6 series card for additional features like blueray 3d playback and new video processing engine. Since op's not into gaming, 6450 will be the best for him imo.

@ demonlord

Logitech Z-506 is way better than creative inspire 5.1 t6160. Since prices are almost same, its wise to go for the logitech model for op.

 

[Cilus]

Remove the 5450 from the config. It is a crap card and not much better than the onboard GPU. If you wanna use some cheap HTPC card, then go for HD 6450 which offers far higher performance as it is having twice the number of stream processors of that of HD 5450.
Also there is no need to go for a mobo of 4.5K. A sub 3K mobo will just do fine. I have suggested HD 5670 as it comes below 4K price now. It will offer significant performance boost.

And even the new asus 5670 1 GB is available @ 4.3K in lynx-india. The new Sapphire HD 5670 1 GB model has a price of 4.15K including 5% tax in Lynx-india. Here is the new link.

 

[saswat23]

Some cases for your HTPC to look at are:
iBall NetTop 009 and CLASS-X
iBall – Your eyeball view. Our technology new.

My suggestion:
AMD AthlonII X3 425 -- 3k
Asus M4N68T M -- 2.4k
Corsair 2GB DDR3 -- 1.1k
Seagate 7200.12 1TB -- 2.5k
LG 22x DVD RW -- 0.9k
FSP SAGAII 350W -- 1.4k
CM Elite 310 -- 1.5k
Logitech/I-Ball WireLess KB Combo -- 1.3k
Altec Lansing vs2621 -- 1.7K
Total -- 15.8k
+
GPU: Radeon 5570 -- 3.5k
ALL Total -- 19.3k

You can change the case if you dont like Elite 310. But i wouldn't really suggest NZXT GAMMA as it doesnt has that great look for a HTPC.

Yes, you can go for a 4.1 or 5.1 neglecting these Altec speakers. I have not included any of 4.1 or 5.1 speakers as i dont have much idea of their pricings.

 

[Cilus]

avoid M4N68T chipset based mobos as they are based on far older generation chipset and don't support features like advance Clock Calibration or ACC, HT 3.0 with Athlon II/Phenom II cpus. It runs on HT 1.0 when Athlon Ii or Phenom II CPUs are plugged in.
minimum a 760G chipset based mobo is advised as it support all the major features and the price is really very sweet, only few hundred bucks extra than the M4N68T chipset based ones.

 

[rajat100493]

I think you should go for 512 mb ddr5 instead of 1gb ddr3 card

 

[Cilus]

Right now the price difference between the 512 MB and the 1 GB version is only 200-300 bucks.

 

[Demon Lord]

the reason why i chose that MB is that if OP wants to upgrade that mobo is well equipped to support.It has 4 ram slots D-SUB,DVI,HDMI ports.6 usb ports.
Asus M4A78LT-M LE has only 2 ram slots and Only D-SUB,DVI ports.NO HDMI port!
if it has let me know

The LCD TV that op has i.e Samsung 26"
LA26R71BA supports full pc connectivity and has 2 rear HDMI PORTS.