HTPC Budget build

[regoarrarr]

So I know we have a few folks around here that are into computer hardware and such. I'm trying to build a fairly low budget HTPC. We don't have a super high end (36") TV, nor do we watch a ton of TV. Mostly looking to be able to DVR, as well as store and play some of our media.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: DVR (MythTv or similar), Netflix Streaming, ripping, storing and viewing DVDs and/or pictures, storing Wii games. Possibly also watchESPN app (ESPN3) if I can ever figure out a way to get it through Time Warner, or maybe even playing arcade games (MAME)

Okay after a bit more research, here is a first draft for comments - list also available at http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hQ6E

CPU: Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz Dual-Core Processor
$43.99 @ Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LTU54Q/?tag=pcpapi-20

Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
$69.99 @ Newegg - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...38566&SID=

RAM: Kingston Valueram DDR3 1333 4 GB SDRAM Memory Module 4 (2-2GB)
$21.74 @ Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0074VVNLS/?tag=pcpapi-20

SSD: Crucial 64GB m4 SSD 2.5" Solid State Internal Drive
$68.95 @ B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/76..._2_5_.html
(I also see it for $68.99 @ Amazon where I'd probably buy it)

Storage: Western Digital 2 TB WD Green SATA III Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive
$99.98 @ Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VFJ9MK/?tag=pcpapi-20

Case: Black Micro ATX12V Desktp 220W with DVD Rom Fdd Hidden Bay Covers
$38.99 @ Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIQBNW/?tag=pcpapi-20

DVD Drive: LG DVD Burner 24X
$16.99 @ Newegg - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...38566&SID=

Tuner card: Hauppauge 1229 WinTV-HVR-2250
$95 including tax @ Walmart (!) - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hauppauge-1229...0003142050

Total is $455.63 though this does not include any OS (talking with a buddy that works for Microsoft to see if he has any deals on Windows) nor any keyboard / mouse / remote (are there ports to temporarily use a regular USB keyboard / mouse?) as well as any cables (or do those usually come with the parts?)

Any suggestions on how to drop the price any? I know I could skimp a bit on the storage (especially if I choose not to get a SSD) but I'm not sure if that's worth it. Seems silly to pay $59 for a 500GB or $79 for a 1TB when you can buy a 2TB drive for $99....

[kjn]

I'm not sure the SSD will be of much benefit given your described use cases. It's going to be on most of the time and almost all most reads and writes will be sequential. You're going to need an adapter to mount the SSD in the case anyway, from what I can see.

Yes, you can attach a regular USB keyboard and mouse, no sweat.

[regoarrarr]

Thanks KJN - someone else also recommended removing the SSD, so I probably will end up doing that.

The other thing I'm slightly concerned about is the case / power supply. By most of the reviews this is a particularly small case and can get cramped. Also the fan that comes with it is supposedly fairly noisy.

Any suggestions of a better case / PSU for around the same money?

[T-hawk]

If you've got only one hard drive, one optical drive, and one expansion card (video), a small case is fine. Big cases are for crazy people that want four RAIDed drives and three video cards. 220W does sound small for the power supply, although I don't have any sense for how much power a tuner card or this particular Celeron pulls.

The most important bit for pricing a case is probably free shipping. I assume you've got that on Amazon, since it costs $15-20 otherwise.

[regoarrarr]

Thanks T-hawk

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hQDQ is the link to what I'm getting and it claims that it only pulls 145W.

And all those prices include shipping (where it's charged)

[NobleHelium]

What exactly is your budget? "Fairly low budget" is pretty vague.

[regoarrarr]

What exactly is your budget? "Fairly low budget" is pretty vague.

$300 - $500?

[NobleHelium]

Swap the CPU to AMD...Intel's integrated graphics cannot compete right now. That should let you get a cheaper motherboard as well. I can give you something more specific later.

[Krill]

One thing I would consider is if you could fit a second HD later on, because you inevitably end up keeping entire series on your PC and clog up the original. If you can, then no worries, really. Other point is that you might end up getting network storage a year or two down the line (budget considerations etc) so you can access the programs from any PC if you have multiple people who want to watch them at any one time, which happens.

[antisocialmunky]

Swap the CPU to AMD...Intel's integrated graphics cannot compete right now. That should let you get a cheaper motherboard as well. I can give you something more specific later.

You can get the HD4000 I3. That would be pretty good but an Llano A8/A6 would be perfect as well.