Budget HTPC Build. What Would You Change?

[pharmtek]

I want to build an HTPC for under $500(closer to $400 if possible). I will be connecting it to a 47" Samsung LED via HDMI. Most of the time it will be used to play media from its internal or USB harddrive, and mostly from XBMC. Sometimes streaming HD content from Hulu, YouTube and Netflix. And besides emulators, no gaming.

I already have a few 1.5TB USB drives that I will be using for external storage. Here are the parts that I have chosen so far as well as any options.
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Approximate Purchase Date: Today

Budget Range: 400-500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Locally stored 1080p media, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube. XBMC

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com(prime member)

Country of Origin: USA

Overclocking: Maybe


ODD: Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW

SSD: Corsair Nova Series 2 60 GB

HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 2 TB SATA III

MB/CPU: ASRock E350M1/USB 3

Case/PSU: INWIN BP655.200BL Black Mini-ITX

Memory: G.SKILL NS 4GB DDR3 1333

I'm going to be running Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit and I'm willing to change anything on the build to get the most for my money.

 

[cutebeans]

MB/CPU? Isn't that just a motherboard?

 

[cutebeans]

There's an HTPC build there for only $370.

http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

 

[michxymi]

Get one of these

Western Digital WD TV Live Plus HD Media Player
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136593

and with the rest money build a cheap file server that will run Arch Linux

 

[rwpritchett]

MB/CPU? Isn't that just a motherboard?

It's a fusion board. The CPU is soldered to the motherboard.

OP- the parts you've selected are all compatible and will do what you said you want from it. As long as you don't intend to do any processor intensive tasks, it will work great for you.

 

[pharmtek]

Best answer selected by pharmtek.

 

[pharmtek]

thanks to everyone for your help. I ended up going with an A8 setup. everything should be here tomorrow. Thanks again!

http://amzn.com/w/2KOIC4JL8D23B