[nl2134]

I've got a tighter budget than most, but here's what I have so far:


- AMD PHENOM II X4 840 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103921 )

- GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128504 )

- CORSAIR XMS 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233132 )

- CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 430W PSU ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026 )

- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185 )


...so I'm in need of a case, keyboard/mouse, blu-ray disc player, network adapter, GPU and an HDMI cable.


I'm pretty much set on what network adapter I'm going to get and HDMI cable also, but the others have me scratching my head.


First, the case.


I'm debating between a traditional HTPC case, and a Micro-ATX desktop case:


Thermaltake Lanbox: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133044

Silverstone GD04B: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163158


I've built one computer in my life (the one I'm using now) and I never have to see the case so I don't worry about it. But I'm afraid I'll get buyers remorse if I get one over the other. Any advice, or further suggestions? Budget max is $90-100, but $100 is definitely stretching it.


Then, my GPU.


I'm thinking of something like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102930


my thoughts on that are just to future proof my system, in case I want to do some gaming on it. The alternative would be just to go for an nVidia GT 430/440/520 dedicated to playback only. Or can I find some middle ground and compromise? Budget is probably maxed out on that GPU


Blu Ray -


I've heard the Asus player is the way to go

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135247


but they seem very hard to come by. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on Sunday and like 5 hrs later Newegg were sold out. Lite-On seems to be the best alternative seeing that Samsung's already started blocking the ability to rip. I can wait this one out, since I have no BRDVD's at the moment, but opinions would be helpful. Budget is $70.


For my keyboard, since I'm thinking of gaming, I'm thinking of the MK260 or MK320 from Logitech, but then again, I'm open to suggestions as well.


My goals for my HPTC:


- watching MKV's and Blu Ray DvD's

- listening to music

- watching internet TV (ESPN3, FoxSoccerTV, etc).


Again, my home theater thus far consists of:


TV: LC3243U 32' Sharp Aquos 720p HDTV

Receiver: Denon 1911

Speakers: Energy RC-10

Subwoofer: Hsu STF2

Xbox 360, Toshiba HD-DVD player, Cable box.


Sorry for this long winded rambling post, but any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[James_stewart]

i'd go with the Thermaltake, just because it looks much cooler than the other one.

 

[santiagodraco]

Platform wise, personal choice, but I prefer Sandybridge, just me.


Case wise and GPU.... I'd recommend:


Moneual 312: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811280014


HIS Radeon 6570 silent: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161374



Case looks MUCH better (really looks amazing, just built a high end HTPC with it and 2 of the GPUs). You can game with the card provided you properly ventilate. So IF you plan on heavy gaming it might not be the ideal long term choice (but if you have 40mm fans you will be ok, use silenx they are dead quiet).


Case is a bit more but it's really a beautiful case. Also it comes with an IR sensor integrated into the power switch and 5v in the case so you can power up with a remote.

 

[StardogChampion]

If you don't need to GPU now because you want just playback, I'd go with an i3-2100 and a H61 micro-ATX motherboard that fits your budget. The GPU is going to be very good for playback and then later you can add a GPU for gaming. I think you'll spend less in the long run than getting a GPU for playback or gaming now because the CPU has a modern, built-in GPU that can play whatever you need, even 3D.

 

[nl2134]

Thanks for the Sandybridge suggestions, but I already have those top components purchased.


Again, I am on a tighter budget, so I went with the X4/Motherboard for $50, anticipating to also get a GPU for around $50 also, as opposed to around $200 for an i3/motherboard combination.


The case is nice, but as I said earlier, exceeds my budget...by a lot. $90-100 is what I'm considering as a max.


Thanks for the input.

 

[pochoboy]

I have a ht/soho pc and upgraded to a SSD at 64gb at that just for the operating system and ms office software. Eveything else is on a standard hard disk drive. I tell you what you won't regret spending another $100 for an SSD drive(of course unless you get a lemon of a ssd drive). Windows 7 x64 startup and some programs with it is pretty quick, I can't see myself going back to a mechanical hd for my operating system storage.


I'm never looking back

 

[santiagodraco]



Quote:
Originally Posted by nl2134 /forum/post/20864620


Thanks for the Sandybridge suggestions, but I already have those top components purchased.


Again, I am on a tighter budget, so I went with the X4/Motherboard for $50, anticipating to also get a GPU for around $50 also, as opposed to around $200 for an i3/motherboard combination.


The case is nice, but as I said earlier, exceeds my budget...by a lot. $90-100 is what I'm considering as a max.


Thanks for the input.

Understood, I probably should have read more closely

One suggestion. If the case you chose does not have IR remote on you may want to consider one of the SimRec IR Power On adapters. It's 39 bucks but will allow you to program a remote to power on your pc. If you are adding to an entertainment center and have say a harmony remote... it will come in handy.

 

[StardogChampion]

"here's what I have so far" -- sorry I took that as what you have so far for the plan.


Nevermind .

 

[scoyne88]

I have a nmediaPC 2000b case, its atx but they make a similar case in matx sice, and its in your price range

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811204032