[User 82703]

OK I've been reading lots of discussions here and on AVSForums and think I have a system that will do what I want and not break the bank, either.

I will be running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

Purpose of the system:
Play ISO and MKV, mostly regular DVD now but probably BD at some time in the future. Handle all the various streaming content online - Hulu, network sites (NBC, etc), Youtube.

So here goes:
Case - Silverstone GD04B $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...8&Tpk=gd04

CPU - AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819103903

PSU - Antec Earthwatts 380W $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817371033

Mobo - ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX $76
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131406

RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231190

HDD - WD Scorpio 2.5" 250GB
Getting this cheap from a friend - he bought it and never used it. I have a NAS, so don't need a lot of local storage on HTPC.

Remote - AVS Gear MCE $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6880121003
Will this be plug and play with XBMC in Win?

GPU - Sapphire 100291L Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 512MB $25 (rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814102877

Optical - DVD/RW pulled from an older system.

Any thoughts? I expect the video card is what most people will say to upgrade. I see a lot of people like the 430 GT cards. My thought is the additional features of the 430 GT aren't needed for me - I don't need 3D (can always upgrade later) and won't be running XBMC Live.

Am I correct that the ATI 5450 will work with DXVA2 hardware acceleration in Win7? Do I also get bitstreaming and proper 24p output with this system? The latter two aren't big priorities right now, but again will be more important if/when I get more into BD.

I know a lot of people might also recommend an SSD but I just can't justify the cost right now.

This system comes out at just around $500 including Windows 7, which was my price target.

Looking forward to hear what you guys think!

Thanks in advance.

[maxinc]

I love the case. I would pay the extra if my gear wouldn't have been hidden inside cupboards.

I would consider a lower frequency CPU to save on heat / noise ... 3GHz seems like a lot for a HTPC.

The PSU has a 80mm fan and is likely to make more noise than necessary. Maybe something with a 120mm fan?

Anyone who tried and SSD did not look back at mechanical drives. Seek time is 100-200 times shorter and they are completely silent. They do make a massive difference in navigation and system boot time. I know you already know that ... just felt like stressing it a bit more

I would still go with an nVidia card. Maybe a GT220?

2GB or RAM is more than enough.

Good luck with the build and enjoy!

[poofyhairguy]

I like it all. You are fine with that ATI card, we just recommend Nvidia so much because often people aren't specific about what OS they will run, and ATI+LINUX=PAIN. But for Windows 7 you will enjoy full DXVA2 acceleration, 24p, and even HD Audio bitstreaming on future XBMC versions.

Seriously though, you did your research. I like it.

[poofyhairguy]

I would consider a lower frequency CPU to save on heat / noise ... 3GHz seems like a lot for a HTPC.

Actually a 3GHZ AMD dual core is the perfect amount needed if you ever need to decode HD on the CPU (aka like I do with 3D content).

[eskro]

i agree here too, you did your work correctly

i would probably pay $9 more and change the Motherboard
just to get USB3.0 support making it more futur proof....
like this model:
ASRock AM3 USB3 eSata MicroATX ($85) Here!

using an SSD rocks!! everything gets blazing fast!!
but if you wanna keep your build like it is, its fine.....

but same thing for the Graphic card,,,
i would spend an extra $5 and get this model:
PowerColor Radeon HD5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 ($35 after-rebate) Here!
$5 more to have twice memory and DDR3 too!!

[maxinc]

Actually a 3GHZ AMD dual core is the perfect amount needed if you ever need to decode HD on the CPU (aka like I do with 3D content).

I was under the impression that GT430 can handle 3D content ... or is it just under Windows?

[gizmotoy]

If you're OK without USB3, Microcenter's running a deal where you buy an AMD processor and get a free mobo. There are similar CPU/Mobo selections to what you have here for $95-$105 total. Could save you $30-$40 and get you a little better processor at the same time.

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/prom...e=ACT_BYO&

Some people are saying you can get the X2 250 with some of these as well, but you have to tediously try each motherboard to see if it shows up at a discount since it's not in the matrix.

[poofyhairguy]

I was under the impression that GT430 can handle 3D content ... or is it just under Windows?

Just under Windows, with the correct Third Party software.

But even to play half 3D SBS files (which is what I watch most often) it is better to use CPU decoding in Linux.

[User 82703]

If you're OK without USB3, Microcenter's running a deal where you buy an AMD processor and get a free mobo. There are similar CPU/Mobo selections to what you have here for $95-$105 total. Could save you $30-$40 and get you a little better processor at the same time.

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/prom...e=ACT_BYO&

Some people are saying you can get the X2 250 with some of these as well, but you have to tediously try each motherboard to see if it shows up at a discount since it's not in the matrix.

I saw these deals in some discussion (probably here) but it looks like they are all local pickup only. No store around where I live!

[User 82703]

i agree here too, you did your work correctly

but same thing for the Graphic card,,,
i would spend an extra $5 and get this model:
PowerColor Radeon HD5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 ($35 after-rebate) Here!
$5 more to have twice memory and DDR3 too!!

I don't see any rebate on this model, maybe it ended? Price is now $50.

Weird - when you view the list of PowerColor cards, several show up with rebates. But when you view an individual item, no rebate shows up. It does show up with the rebate in the cart, which I guess is the important thing!

So do I really need an extra 512MB of video memory?

[User 82703]

Thanks to everyone for the input.

Just to confirm - the RAM/mobo/CPU combo will all work fine together?
And that remote should be plug and play with XBMC under Win7?

I found a 64GB SSD for $85 after rebate. Any thoughts on this brand - AData?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820211479

Or is there another SSD in the $100 range that's better?

[eskro]

your rebate is added when you cart the item,,,
So yes, for $5, i'd prefer having 1GB or DDR3 memory instead of 512MB DDR2...

Stay away from unknown brands like AData...
thats my suggestion to you...
choose this --> Corsair Nova 2.5" 32GB SATAII $79 + Free Shipping --> Here!

[poofyhairguy]

Avoid AData SSDs!

[User 82703]

your rebate is added when you cart the item,,,
So yes, for $5, i'd prefer having 1GB or DDR3 memory instead of 512MB DDR2...

Stay away from unknown brands like AData...
thats my suggestion to you...
choose this --> Corsair Nova 2.5" 32GB SATAII $79 + Free Shipping --> Here!

Rebate for the 1GB video card seems gone from Newegg now.

More questions! What is the difference between these two PSU's:
Antec Earthwatts 380W $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817371033
Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W $35 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817371029

Both are 80 Plus certified, the 380W is 80 Plus Bronze, so I assume it is more efficient. The 380W has an 80mm fan, the 400W is 120mm - anyone think the difference would be noticeable?

And for RAM, differences between:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231190
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231274

Will they work the same for the Asus motherboard I listed?

[poofyhairguy]

Both are 80 Plus certified, the 380W is 80 Plus Bronze, so I assume it is more efficient. The 380W has an 80mm fan, the 400W is 120mm - anyone think the difference would be noticeable?

I actually have both PSUs so I can comment on exact differences:

1. The Earthwatts is a little bit louder thanks to a 80mm fan.
2. The Neo is single rail, so it is perfect for a media server (where mine is)
3. The Earthwatts is a little more efficient.