People Just Don't Understand HTPC - Page 5

I don't see "inexpensive" as a criteria for being an HTPC, but rather the inverse - an HTPC does not need to be expensive. Sure, you can make an expensive HTPC; this is especially true if you are making a more general-use system to do gaming and/or server duties; but a good "baseline" HTPC can be very inexpensive. However, every time someone suggests that you need a discrete video card, that you need a high-end processor, because of those you will need a high wattage power supply, and that all of this has to cost upwards of $1000 for an HTPC they are doing a disservice to the community here, driving people away from the very idea of having an HTPC at all.

This same thing happens in general computing as well. People ask what it takes to build a "decent" computer and some gaming geek stats out a $4000 monstrosity for them when the person is really only asking for an internet box; and because of this many people see build-it-yourself computers as unnecessarily expensive so wind up buying an HP or Gateway or whatever. The problem is that people are very poor at judging how much PC they need and is compounded by the fact that many people who do custom builds (or who frequent forums like this) are all too eager to suggest and/or build the most expensive PC to fit the bill, all under the mistaken assumption that "the guy might need it someday, so he may as well get it now."
Edited by ericbsmith - 6/12/12 at 1:58pm

I don't disagree with that at all, but the biggest single variable may be the case. You can put exactly the same components in a $29 case or a $1000 case. I don't see that changes the nature or functionality at all.

Similarly, people look for deals to get $39 400w PSUs all the time; I tend to pick the 400w PSU I want to use even though it may cost me $79. Again, I consider that nothing more than a matter of personal choice.

I'm not really talking about changing the nature of the components, such as putting in a i7-3960X Extreme Edition. The cpu may be the component where there is the most direct correlation between change in price and change in nature or performance. But if somebody wants to put a G620 in an ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z motherboard rather than the $15 ECS board, it's going to work the same, and I don't think it changes the nature of the system.

So I guess my point is that you can have vast variance in cost without changing the nature or functionality or even performance at all. At the same time, I agree 100% that people shouldn't be told that they NEED to spend a ton of money.

Can't say that I have since I'm not currently in the market for one. Good to hear that some of the newer boards are finally doing away with an obsolete slot that few people have need of these days.
BTW - Nice to see you're alive and well. Rumors of your demise are obviously exaggerated.