An HTPC cheaper than the PS3?

[rambilin]

Hello, I wasn't sure if this would be better here or in the PS3 forum, but I was wondering if anyone has been able to build a quiet running HTPC for mainly MAME, video playback, and web browsing that goes through an HDMI connecter at 1920 x 1080? I have been fooling around on misc comptuer retailers, and haven't come close to building one with the hardware + a Windows MCE licence versus the $599 PS3, with either Fedora 5 or Yellow Dog, and a wireless keyboard/mouse. Any input is appreciated, thanks.

[uzziah]

sure man; you won't get any near the power, but of course with a desktop and XP you'll have lots more options of how to do things

[ChrisFB]

Sure you could do it. You won't require much video card or processing power so you can save a lot. As far as HDMI - get a DVI to HDMI cable for the graphics card and use either the optical out or regular audio outputs. HDMI graphics cards are still pretty rare and new so I'd deal with that in the DVI to HDMI cable. Just start looking for deals on parts and you can probably put it together or look for a bargain basement deal. MAME and video just don't require much power.

[Scotty L]

of course it's possible to build a gaming HTPC cheaper than a PS3. Just start out with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130072

And buy the rest used

[rambilin]

Well with the $30 rebate it is only 559. Unrelated, but how could you run those SLI style though with that monster cooling system?

[slowkums]

Assuming the display and sound system is the same in either case, its doable if you come across a deal. It just so happened I was able to grab a refurbed sony vaio with a pentium D 2.8 ghz and 1 gig of ram for $320 (with the employee discount in my situation though; it was 400 for every one else). You can easily find a 7900GT or X1900XT for less than 300, even 200, and there you go.

[bdizzle]

i could prolly build that for 150 w/ used parts. mame rom use virtually no resources. one day im gonna actually build a mame cabinet in an old arcade case. i saw some instructions online a while back.

[kedlav]

Asus M2NPV-VM $85
AMD 3200+ (Retail) $79
GSkill DDR2-533 2x512 MB $91
250 GB HDD(WD) $75
Asus 16x DVD-ROM(Retail) $22
All from the Egg
If you use a cheap, regular computer case, you're talking under 400 bucks if you use some form of Linux. Include MCE and a HTPC case, you're talking another 200 bucks. either way, its cheaper than a premium PS3 and with much more upgradeability (i.e. add a 4600+, another gig of ram, and a top-notch video card and you've an excellent gaming PC as well). Lastly, specific HTPC parts like special quiet fans cost a bunch of money, better to buy the initial eqt. retail, put it together, and slowly add quieter parts until you hit the noise level you want, instead of dropping 100+ bucks on a bunch of fans that may or may not be necessary for your individual situation.

Using used parts, it gets cheaper.