[Req] Very Basic HTPC

[lywyre]

Looking for a combo Motherboard+Proc that is very basic and low on power with DD3 Ram and HDMI out. Will be using existing hardware

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: Streaming videos 480/720p, sometimes Full HD movies from DVDs/ HDD. Also will be used for downloading

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: 5K (considering a DD3 Combo motherboard)

3. Planning to overclock?
Ans: No

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Win7

5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans: Existing Sata HDD

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans: Yes, I already have a monitor

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: Display, Keyboard, Mouse, HDD, RAM, PSU, Cabinet, RAM (Every thing except Motherboard & Processor)

8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: Aug/ Sept

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans: I will be assembling

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: Online: Where ever the deal is reasonable and reliable . Locally means Chennai/ Vellore

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans: Want this to be very low power device. Primarily downgrading only to cut on power bills

 

[Minion]

Processor:Amazon.in: Buy AMD FM2 A4 - 4020 3.2GHz Speed Processor Online at Low Prices in India | AMD Reviews & Rating-2k
Motherboard:GA-F2A68HM-HD2-5k(Motherboard with HDMi doesn't come cheap)
RAM-Kingston Fury Memory -4GB -DDR3 1866 MHz Desktop Ram (HX318C10F/4)-1.6k

 

[mitraark]

See my sig, I have an ASUS AM1M motherboard and Sempron 2650 CPU which cost me Rs 4400 ( Its Rs 2472 + Rs 2385 on Amazon now ). Add to it a 4 GB RAM Module which'd cost you Rs 1500 I suppose. It is barely going to run HD videos and you can't expect it to run dozens of tabs on firefox and Microsoft Excel simultaneously, but my requirements were exactly the ones you mentioned, so you can go ahead with it.

 

[lywyre]

Processor:Amazon.in: Buy AMD FM2 A4 - 4020 3.2GHz Speed Processor Online at Low Prices in India | AMD Reviews & Rating-2k
Motherboard:GA-F2A68HM-HD2-5k(Motherboard with HDMi doesn't come cheap)
RAM-Kingston Fury Memory -4GB -DDR3 1866 MHz Desktop Ram (HX318C10F/4)-1.6k

See my sig, I have an ASUS AM1M motherboard and Sempron 2650 CPU which cost me Rs 4400 ( Its Rs 2472 + Rs 2385 on Amazon now ). Add to it a 4 GB RAM Module which'd cost you Rs 1500 I suppose. It is barely going to run HD videos and you can't expect it to run dozens of tabs on firefox and Microsoft Excel simultaneously, but my requirements were exactly the ones you mentioned, so you can go ahead with it.

Thank you both. Both of you have suggested separate board and processor. In this case, I would use my existing AM3+ Asus motherboard and change only the processor. The existing one is Phenom II 955 (I think BE) with a TDP of 125w. Which processor would be ideal as a replacement, but only for basic purposes?

 

[Minion]

Sorry but you can't reuse your motherboard Sempron processor use AM1 socket while AMD A4 uses FM2 and plz don't go for sempron processors they are like celerons of AMD They are super weak for anything.

If you use a AM3+ processor then you are not going to save any power.

I strongly suggest you to go with AMD A4 processor.

 

[lywyre]

I guess I am going to keep the current config. Going to under volt/ clock for the time being.