Cheapest htpc rec

[sgAshton]

My family needs one solely for watching video streams. It will be connected to the main TV in the living room. No need gpu or os. Chassis wise, smaller the better. What's the cheapest this can go?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Need to be all first hand? If not you should look around for 2nd hand $200 system on the forum marketplace.

 

[sgAshton]

1st hand. The cheapest I've seen is around 300ish but can it go lower? Cause now we're contemplating between a Internet TV dongle and a htpc

 

[Jian19]

G1610 + ECS h61h2 itx ~ $117
Kingston 4gb ddr3 value ram ~ $48
Hitachi 500gb ~ $60
Jonsbo v2 + 300w psu ~ $99

Total ~ $324 buy and DIY @ tradepac

 

[luei74]

Look at the cpu, ram and mainboard bazaar thread, noticed the cheapest E Mini Itx bundle around $210... just need a HDD to make it run.

Alternatively, another option is to get the Intel NUC kit for around USD 153 (need to use forwarder)..
Intel Next Unit of Computing Kit, Black/Grey BOXDCCP847DYE:Amazon:Computers & Accessories

 

[mike911]

You may consider a setup like this.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/mass-order-corner-251/mo-minix-neo-x7-a2-airmouse-4330441.html

but do note that the firmware might still have bugs, from what i've last heard a few months back.

Alternatively a little extra cash top-up for a htpc can definitely do more.

 

[t258jgn]

E-Mini K3i Mini-ITX Aluminum Case with USB3.0 Ports, VESA Mounting Plate & 120W (12V/10A) External AC/DC Adaptor
ECS NM70-I2 mini-ITX Motherboard w/ Intel Celeron 847 1.1GHz Dual-Core
Kingston 2x 4GB 1600 DDR3 Value Rams
HGST Deskstar 7K1000.C 1TB 3.5" SATA3 7200rpm 32mb HDD
$275

 

[Lippyt]

My family needs one solely for watching video streams. It will be connected to the main TV in the living room. No need gpu or os. Chassis wise, smaller the better. What's the cheapest this can go?

If you don't mind a less pretty and bulkier case (with a noisy PSU).

This is probably the cheapest HTPC you can build:

Asrock H71M DGS - $69
Celeron G1620 - $55 (get it from cashtronic)
G Skill 1333 4 GB - $48
Vios mATX case + noisy psu - $55 (Laser Distributor)
8 GB Sandisk Cruzer - $8

Total: $235 (prices from PC Themes)

Optional: Prolink Pan 2001 USB wireless adapter - $19. Look for ralink or atheros chipsets as they will have a higher chance of being supported.

Install openelec XBMC. Can spend the remaining amount on a remote

Alternatively you can take others up on their suggestions, but you can always replace the HDD with a small capacity thumbdrive with openelec installed.

 

[Kiwi8]

My family needs one solely for watching video streams. It will be connected to the main TV in the living room. No need gpu or os. Chassis wise, smaller the better. What's the cheapest this can go?

Are u limited by size limitations (ie is there a need to fit the casing in a TV console compartment that's limited in dimensions)?

If not, can consider the casing here, only $15 (I'm not the seller):
WTS : Casing

The price saved can be used to buy other parts.