HTPC Parts Recommendation

[cephelix]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Recently a colleague asked for my help in building a HTPC for basic web browsing and movie streaming via the internet to her TV at 1080p. No games or intensive tasks. I have no experience with sff parts and builds so here I am seeking help from the gurus on HWZ.

Her budget is $500 for components.
Parts that aren't needed would be HDD(can reuse my 1TB WD Caviar Black), OS(planning to use Windows 8.1, is there a better option?), keyboard/mouse(looking to gift her a Logitech K400R).

Open to suggestions and also wondering if purchasing AIO PCs would be a better idea...

 

[kaixax555]

You can actually buy an AIO PC
http://www.lazada.sg/zotac-zbox-id42-custom-1-4gb-memory-500gb-hdd-102655.html

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Check these out...

She just need this:

http://www.lazada.sg/zotac-zbox-id18-plus-windows-81-with-bing-102753.html

Buy, use $50 discount code and get over with it. Save money and time doing all the DIYing.

Btw, i ran my home main PC (with Celeron G1610 underclocked to 1.8 GHz to simulate Celeron 1037U with 60GB Intel SSD and 4GB RAM) and my mum isn't complaining at all for normal web surfing and videos watching. You may still want to increase RAM capacity to 4GB still.

Consider this then:

CPU+MB: Intel Pentium G3258 [Anniversary Edition] + ASUS H81I-PLUS @ $182
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB @ $67
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $69
CASE+PSU: In Win BM650 [Black] + Powerman IP-AD180-2 180W Flex ATX [80 Plus Bronze] @ $109
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit [OEM] @ $30 (G2A)

Total: $457

Optional:
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer [OEM] @ $21

Buy others from Tradepac, #05-18.

 

[cephelix]

You can actually buy an AIO PC
http://www.lazada.sg/zotac-zbox-id42-custom-1-4gb-memory-500gb-hdd-102655.html

Check these out...

Thanks for the fast reply fellas. I was wondering whether the AIO PCs were actually worth the money compared to DIY and it seems that they are for a low budget system. Will take a look around and read up some more.

So according to MoneyFace's recommendation, a Pentium anniversary version + H81 board would be sufficient if I do go the DIY route. Would I need a gpu and if so, would something like a GTX960 or the AMD equivalent be enough?

 

[escksu]

Thanks for the fast reply fellas. I was wondering whether the AIO PCs were actually worth the money compared to DIY and it seems that they are for a low budget system. Will take a look around and read up some more.

So according to MoneyFace's recommendation, a Pentium anniversary version + H81 board would be sufficient if I do go the DIY route. Would I need a gpu and if so, would something like a GTX960 or the AMD equivalent be enough?

AIO is better because its much smaller and take up alot less space, esp. important since its HTPC.

 

[terry1]

bought one piece of this to try. not a bad deal considering the low price and the low euro dollar (approx 1.5) now

€175,63 shipping charges with dhl to singapore will be €29

http://www.computeruniverse.net/en/...ae222-bxx-all-in-one-21-5-fullhd-barebone.asp

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Thanks for the fast reply fellas. I was wondering whether the AIO PCs were actually worth the money compared to DIY and it seems that they are for a low budget system. Will take a look around and read up some more.

So according to MoneyFace's recommendation, a Pentium anniversary version + H81 board would be sufficient if I do go the DIY route. Would I need a gpu and if so, would something like a GTX960 or the AMD equivalent be enough?

GTX 960 is already for high end gaming le. Intel IGP has already reached the state of sufficiency for smooth HD video playback and low end gaming.

 

[cephelix]

bought one piece of this to try. not a bad deal considering the low price and the low euro dollar (approx 1.5) now

€175,63 shipping charges with dhl to singapore will be €29

http://www.computeruniverse.net/en/...ae222-bxx-all-in-one-21-5-fullhd-barebone.asp

Thanks! but colleague wants to hook up the cpu to the tv. so the AIO you linked isn't really appropriate.

GTX 960 is already for high end gaming le. Intel IGP has already reached the state of sufficiency for smooth HD video playback and low end gaming.

Really??!! well, glad you told me that...so I suppose the zotac aio really is the best bang for buck. maybe just see if she wants to swap out the hdd to an ssd...

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Thanks! but colleague wants to hook up the cpu to the tv. so the AIO you linked isn't really appropriate.


Really??!! well, glad you told me that...so I suppose the zotac aio really is the best bang for buck. maybe just see if she wants to swap out the hdd to an ssd...

Honestly speaking Celeron 1037U on the Zotac AIO is already enough for normal web surfing and movies watching. And it already comes with Windows 8.1 preinstalled on a 64GB SSD. SSD is the most worthy upgrade for everyone right now, so it is very encouraging for anyone to sub in lieu of HDD. My mum isn't complaining with my current home main PC too, so she shouldn't mind too.

 

[terry1]

Thanks! but colleague wants to hook up the cpu to the tv. so the AIO you linked isn't really appropriate

That is exactly why I like this cheap aio. It comes with hdmi input and ouput which I seldom see in a aio

 

[MoneyFace =p]

That is exactly why I like this cheap aio. It comes with hdmi input and ouput which I seldom see in a aio

It only makes sense to have HDMI In when there's a display affixed to the machine like the one above. Most barebones don't even have screen so having HDMI In port also doesn't serve any purpose.

 

[cephelix]

@MoneyFace, Not really well versed in other chips as I've always just built for myself gaming systems. Good to hear that the processor is more than sufficient to play movies in HD.

@terry1, interesting that it comes with a HDMI IN but I don't the point for my colleague since the system would sit squarely in her living room instead of a desk space, she'd have no place to put the AIO you suggested to begin with.

 

[jedi5diah]

broken record

This baby is the best looking htpc!. wireless AC

ASUS VivoPC VM42 - RSP $399

 

[monikernemo]

broken record

This baby is the best looking htpc!. wireless AC

ASUS VivoPC VM42 - RSP $399

Too chop gaogao?

Self build also more expandable for expandable storage

Sent from microwave oven using GAGT

 

[terry1]

It only makes sense to have HDMI In when there's a display affixed to the machine like the one above. Most barebones don't even have screen so having HDMI In port also doesn't serve any purpose.

Oh it does. You connect your miotv, starhub box, Blu-ray player, TV tuner, another computer, etc into this and use it as a TV screen or a monitor

And you connect hdmi out to your projector, 100" led TV, etc to control as a display

 

[cephelix]

broken record

This baby is the best looking htpc!. wireless AC

ASUS VivoPC VM42 - RSP $399

That looks sleek! will consider it as well.

Oh it does. You connect your miotv, starhub box, Blu-ray player, TV tuner, another computer, etc into this and use it as a TV screen or a monitor

And you connect hdmi out to your projector, 100" led TV, etc to control as a display

Wah bro, you're too chim. my colleague doesn't even have cable