Absolute best $200 HTPC

[Mad Mex]

I'm looking to build an htpc for $200. I need this to be the best performing $200 htpc and I don't mind buying used parts because they are cheaper.

 

[Barty1884]

What exactly do you want to achieve with your HTPC?

If this is simply going to be a streaming device and local/network playback, I would just pick up an nVidia shield and be done with it:
https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD-Streaming-Media-Player-Version/dp/B01N1NT9Y6/ref=sr_1_3?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1500995916&sr=1-3&keywords=nvidia+shield

If there's some other functionality you need, or a specific OS etc.... please explain the intended use case. Also confirm whether you need an OS or not? (in a $200 budget, an $80 OS in Windows, makes things pretty impossible).

 

[Eximo]

There are a few Intel NUCs priced in that range if you can manage to get some decently priced memory and storage.

You can also occasionally get a whole laptop for around $250, which is still pretty decent at streaming.