$1428 HTPC build

[Grovestand]

I'm not really sure if this is the right forum for build advice but I thought I would post here in hopes that it is.

I'm new to the site and I have built two computers in my life. My first was in 2003 and it was a P4 2.8gHz machine that still runs beautifully.

My second I built last year and it was a Q6600 quad core that does everything that I need it to.

Now I am going to build a PC for my friend and I was hoping that you might be able to provide some advice.

Edit: This is the current build, I will be placing the order tonight, 3/15/2010


Monitor:Vizio 32" 1080p 60Hz LCDTV $496.79
Video Card: XFX 5770 - 1GB for $165
CPU/MOBO/PSU/CASE/RAM/HDD:
i5-750/
ASUS P7P55/
OCZ700SXS 700W/
NZXT LEXA S/
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB/
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB $605.98
DVD/RW: Sony Optiarc $24.99
Keyboard + Mouse:Microsoft 4GC $37.99
OS:Windows 7 Home Edition $104.99
Surge Protector: CyberPower 850 $17.99
Cables: 2xHDMI $14.98


Shipping: $11.33

Grand Total:
$1480.04
- $65.00 Rebates
$1415.04

[Ches111]

At the price point of $750 you can probably fit well into a Core i5 build.

I would stick with an HX series Corsair PSU
Memory is a toss up since there are a number of good vendors out there. Corsair, Patriot, Mushkin, Gskill
Video cards ATI : XFX has been playing really well in this market. Great customer service and warranties. I would look for something around a 5850.
Antec and CoolerMaster and Lian Li make some really decently priced mid/mini tower cases. When you say smallish are you talking HTPC format or tower or desktop? Is he hoping to game at LANs?

Hope this helps!

[SirRobin4ever]

This ought to get you started out:

CPU: i5 750: Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Mobo: Gigabyte P55: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
RAM: 4gb DDR3 1600: Newegg.com - OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV4GK - Desktop Memory
PSU: Corsair VX550w: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
GPU: Powercolor 5750: Newegg.com - POWERCOLOR AX5750 512MD5-H Radeon HD 5750 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

You'll have to pick out a case that you like. That motherboard is ATX, so the case will have to support ATX, of course. You'll also need to add a hard drive and DVD drive.

Adding this up, it comes to: $637 before rebates. Budgeting for the HDD, case, and DVD drive, this comes in just over $800. If you don't mind rebates, this should come down $40 in final cost.

EDIT: Oh, and welcome to XCPUs! We're always glad to help out.

[Grovestand]

Hey thanks so much for the quick reply. I found the site while reading an article about the downfall of Tom's. Just lurking until now and there seems to be a lot of knowledge here.

How does the PC that you reccomend above compare with the following:
$540 after rebates. It includes
Case. NZXT LEXA S LEXS - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Cas: $79.99
Mobo: ASUS P7P55-M LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX:$109.99
PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V:$79.99
CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor:$199.99
RAM:G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail :$104.99
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB:$109.99


The two builds I am thinking about are as follows:

Build I (using the combo that I linked):
$540.00 [after rebates] (PSU/Case/Mobo/CPU/HDD)
$155.00 HD 5770
$202.95 (DVDRW, Windows 7, 2xHDMI cable, Surge Protector, Wireless keyboard/mouse)
$015.00 [estimated] (shipping
$440.00 32" Vizio
-----------
$1352.95 and leaves $100 for another HDD. But I'm not sure about the quality of all of those parts.. They seem to be from main brand manufacturers so I'm not overly concerned, but let me know what you think.

Build II:
CPU/Mobo: X4 955 and Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $228 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
GPU: HD 5770 $155
Case/PSU: Antec 300 Illusion and Neo Eco 520W $120


$673.00 (CPU/Mobo/GPU/RAM/HDD/CASE/PSU)
$202.95 (DVDRW, Windows 7, 2xHDMI cable, Surge Protector, Wireless keyboard/mouse)
$015.00 [estimated] (shipping
$440.00 32" Vizio
--------------
$1330.95

I am more comfortable with the first build because I have more experience with Intel than AMD, but the second build was recommended over the first because the overall quality and performance of the parts is higher. I am too inexperienced to determine if this is true or not.

Thanks again for your help.

[DaSickNinja]

I'm guessing with the performance you're also going to use this for both gaming and maybe on the fly encoding? If that's the case, I'd go for Intel.

[korben43]

If you are looking to go small, yet powerful enough for what your friend wants to do, I would go with the following:

Motherboard: Newegg.com - ZOTAC H55ITX-A-E LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Mini ITX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
CPU: Core i5 750, and in all honesty, you could go with an i3 540/530 or the i5 650
Graphics: Newegg.com - XFX HD-575X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

*the 5750 is more than adequate for your friend's needs. I used one for gaming with UT3 on a 30" monitor at full 2560x1600 resolution with no issues in gameplay*

Case: Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE SG06-B Black Aluminum/SECC Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case SFX 300W with 80 PLUS certification Power Supply - Computer Cases

*the Silverstone SG06 comes with a 300W 80 Plus certified PSU that is more than enough to power this system and more*

DVD/RW: Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 8X DVD-ROM 24X CD-R 24X CD-RW 24X CD-ROM 2MB Cache E-IDE(ATAPI) 12.7mm Slim Combo Drive - CD / DVD Burners

RAM: the ripjaws you mentioned are perfect for this build
HDD: the 1.5TB drive you listed is fine as well

grand total: $699.94
Granted, a bit more than you're other lists, but it is compact and really powerful.

[Grovestand]

I like this a lot. I wanted to try to build a mini ATX build to begin with. He really doesn't need a powerhouse. I think I will try to shave a bit off the price by cutting back on the CPU.

That graphics card is 7.25" x 4.38" x 1.5". There would be no room for any more cards but, I don't suppose there is a need for more cards

and that case supports "Standard-length expansion cards support (9 inches)"

I guess the other drawback is that there is no room for another internal hdd but we can just get him an external.

Oh and that motherboard is out of stock at the moment.

Alternatives include:
DFI LANParty MI P55-T36 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard - Retail $140
Intel BOXDH57JG LGA 1156 Intel H57 HDMI Mini ITX Intel Motherboard - Retail $125


How would the i3-540 3.06GHz dual core (in the miniATX build) measure up against the i5-750 2.66 GHz quad core (in a mid tower).

That combo for $540 after rebates seems like it is going to be difficult to beat. I could definitely justify the miniATX's extra cost if it was going to perform near to the level of the i5-750.

Otherwise it's just sort of saying that I like it because it's small and looks cool...

[korben43]

The inside of the case has room for a 2.5" HDD or SSD and a regular 3.5" HDD. You can throw a 2TB disk in there and easily fit a 500GB 2.5" HDD as well. Either of those mini ITX boards will do great in that case. What other cards would you need to put in there? Audio can be handled through HDMI and I believe that H55/57 boards all come with HDMI 1.3a support as well as the 5xx0 series graphics cards. They can do Blu Ray bitstreaming and handle all the HD sound you would need. Other than that, the only thing would be a tv tuner card, but you could go external with one of those.

As for the CPU, the i3 530 is plenty powerful. I have the i5 661 wich has turbo boost, but it runs great for a dual core chip. So the 530 would be ideal for the setup you are looking at and it saves money

[wuzy]

There's two ways to go about a HTPC of this magnitude.
1) The silent minimalist build (so practically no 3D gaming at all, just movies/TV), with the server located else where. It'll be just another flat piece of appliance under the cabinet. This is more suitable for multiple HTPCs in home and a more professional approach. My HTPC is a good example of that. The potential with this setup is endless if you work in the field of IT and know how to make most use of the server.

2) A full-out setup using mATX or ATX plus a full height case (more going the direction of cube like Silverstone Sugo range) which is required for high-end 3D gaming. The downside with this setup is it's almost a full PC in your living room, making it bearable (appearance, noise, efficiency..etc.) will require a relatively high budget which $1428 is enough.

As expected most people on XCPUS tend to go with option #2. It's just not my cup of tea when it comes to HTPC.
Looking at your requirement, you could scrape through with i5 650 mATX plus a low-profile HD5670 (coming very soon). That's about the most 3D power currently masterable with option #1.

[korben43]

This is Grovestand's friends only pc, it would seem. I understand what you are saying, wuzy, and I too use a centralized data server. But in this case I disagree with your assumptions. Besides, the SG06 is no larger than a shoebox and takes up very little space. The only HTPC that would take up smaller space would be one designed around an ION board with an external power supply. Plus, that type of unit would not have the capacity to hold a 2TB drive, let alone an additional 2.5" HDD that the SG06 is capable of.

[Grovestand]

I spoke with my friend and perhaps I should restate my priorities and my price range.

Power > Aesthetics
I have already basically decided upon certain items and budgeted for them so lets work on the parts that I haven't gotten down yet.

I have $800 to purchase the following items: (Parenthesis amounts what I would like to spend on this item)
CPU + Motherboard (>$300)
GPU (>$150)
RAM (>$120)
2 x HDD ($110)
PSU Case (100)
DVD/RW ($20)

Here are the components I would like to incorporate
CPU: i5-750
Motherboard: ???
GPU: HD 5770
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB DDR3 1600
HDD:
1x250GB for OS/Programs
1x1TB for data and install files and ease of OS reinstallation.
Case/PSU: ???

Sorry Korben, I love your idea, but I couldn't justify it to my friend, he doesn't care what the PC looks or sounds like.

I think that the combo above is going to provide the best bang for the buck.

[billdcat4]

I spoke with my friend and perhaps I should restate my priorities and my price range.

Power > Aesthetics
I have already basically decided upon certain items and budgeted for them so lets work on the parts that I haven't gotten down yet.

I have $800 to purchase the following items: (Parenthesis amounts what I would like to spend on this item)
CPU + Motherboard (>$300)
GPU (>$150)
RAM (>$120)
2 x HDD ($110)
PSU Case (100)
DVD/RW ($20)

Here are the components I would like to incorporate
CPU: i5-750
Motherboard: ???
GPU: HD 5770
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB DDR3 1600
HDD:
1x250GB for OS/Programs
1x1TB for data and install files and ease of OS reinstallation.
Case/PSU: ???

Sorry Korben, I love your idea, but I couldn't justify it to my friend, he doesn't care what the PC looks or sounds like.

Thermaltake V3/ Xigmatek seem to be popular cheaper cases here for $50
Newegg.com - Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - Xigmatek ACXTASGARD Black 0.6mm thickness SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Corsair VX450W is $55 AMIR+$6 shipping
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

or OCZ ModXStream 500w for $40 AMIR
Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Power Supplies

You aren't going to be able to get much cheaper without decreasing the quality of the parts


I would spend less on the CPU/Mobo

If you want solid performance at a low price, you might want to try out this combo:
$173 AMIR for PhII 720BE+ Gb 770 USB3/SATA6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.353082

[SirRobin4ever]

I think that the combo above is going to provide the best bang for the buck.

I totally agree. I was going to suggest that up until I saw that the case really didn't match what you wanted. Now that it doesn't matter so much, I think that combo is pretty much unbeatable in value. Throw in a 5770, partition the hard drive (as you said above, for ease in OS reinstallation), and call it good. I think that would work nicely. Should be a very quick rig.

[Grovestand]

I've never built using AMD before. What will the difference be?

[Eurasianman]

You'll experience smoothness and great platformance!

Nah, in all seriousness, I don't think you'll know much difference.

[Grovestand]

Thanks for all of your advice again. I sort of realized that The monitor is going to be the price limiter on the whole system. So I am going to go to sears with my friend this weekend and see how cheaply we can pick up a 1080p 32" LCD TV. That should determine the true price range of the final purchase. Then we can narrow down the hardware selection to get the best bang for the buck.

I really appreciate all of your input

[korben43]

Thanks for all of your advice again. I sort of realized that The monitor is going to be the price limiter on the whole system. So I am going to go to sears with my friend this weekend and see how cheaply we can pick up a 1080p 32" LCD TV. That should determine the true price range of the final purchase. Then we can narrow down the hardware selection to get the best bang for the buck.

I really appreciate all of your input

Before heading to Sears, why not check out Craigslist in your area? If you happen to live near a Fry's, that would be a much more cost effective place to pick up a tv. Even a Costco or Sam's Club, if you are a member, would have much cheaper prices on a quality HD tv.

[wuzy]

I get a chilling feel every time I see a single 1 or 2TB drive used in a HTPC. Probably because I'm used to seeing racks packed with 200+ HDDs and at least a few fail each year on average. The feeling of all my *cough*AARRRR!!*cough* data at the mercy of mechanical failures greatly irks me. That's just RAID redundancy alone to overcome that. Then there's also backup, which at home is only for irreplaceable personal data.

Couple my data obsession and match it with HTPC, it's just not possible to keep it all in one enclosure sitting in the living room.
... I like having my 300+ 1080p movies and recorded TV shows at the tip of the finger.

Anywayz, I know my solution isn't for everyone when it comes to the storage side. It's just that working in this field I tend to think on a big scale, and I happen to have all the budget I need to match my requirement.

[wuzy]

Power > Aesthetics

What about noise? That's a big portion of the budget for a HTPC on it's own.

[Grovestand]

Before heading to Sears, why not check out Craigslist in your area? If you happen to live near a Fry's, that would be a much more cost effective place to pick up a tv. Even a Costco or Sam's Club, if you are a member, would have much cheaper prices on a quality HD tv.

Yeah, I will deal hunt a bit, but this is going to be $450 +/- $100 and that's what I'm willing to live with that. I was in Costco the other day (my membership just ran out). I might use my dad's Sam's club card today to go look around. I won't spend over $500 though.

I get a chilling feel every time I see a single 1 or 2TB drive used in a HTPC. Probably because I'm used to seeing racks packed with 200+ HDDs and at least a few fail each year on average. The feeling of all my *cough*AARRRR!!*cough* data at the mercy of mechanical failures greatly irks me. That's just RAID redundancy alone to overcome that. Then there's also backup, which at home is only for irreplaceable personal data.

Couple my data obsession and match it with HTPC, it's just not possible to keep it all in one enclosure sitting in the living room.
... I like having my 300+ 1080p movies and recorded TV shows at the tip of the finger.

Anywayz, I know my solution isn't for everyone when it comes to the storage side. It's just that working in this field I tend to think on a big scale, and I happen to have all the budget I need to match my requirement.

That is my dream situation. Unfortunately it is not my friends dream situation nor does he have the flow to accomodate it. I would like to go with 1 x 500 GB for OS/Apps and 1 x 1TB for music/TV shows.