Budget HTPC build

[hkton]

Approximate Purchase Date: No hurry, if need to wait for some black Friday deals no problem

Budget Range: $300-400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Playback of 1080p content to hdtv, 3d blu ray, and media storage

Are you buying a monitor: No
Parts to Upgrade: All
Do you need to buy OS: Have Windows 7
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com amazon.com microcenter or fry's

Location: Houston, TX have fry's and microcenter

Parts Preferences: Intel preferred

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1080p, LG 3d tv

Additional Comments: Small form factor in the case would be great, also quiet and no crazy blinking lights and the like. Space for 2 hard drives and maybe an ssd

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Need something to view content on my tv so I dont have to keep plugging in my laptop.

Thinking probably just a cheap SSD to start for the OS and such, eventually add in multiple TB drives, but not necessary now. Will just stream media from my other devices.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Callisto Deluxe 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 5000B HTPC Case ($69.36 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On ihes112-04 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech K400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad ($34.96 @ B&H)
Total: $482.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-16 12:02 EST-0500)

What do yall think??

 

[hkton]

i am also on the look out for deals on slick deals...i know it will be over kill to get an i5 3.3 ghz but suppose theres a deal on it. will it be smart to jump on the deal? or will it get too hot and loud?

 

[butremor]

Hello
Your build is good already, i5 will be just unneccessary expense.

 

[jmsellars1]

I think an AMD A series CPU would be more suitable, the integrated graphics are waaay better than Intel HD 2500. The top of the line A10 is only $10 more than that i3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113289

EDIT: Here's a full build based around the A10, it's a quad core with the best integrated graphics on the market. This also has a more reputable case and SSD.

AMD A10-5700 - $124.99
2x2GB Crucial Ballistix 1866Mhz 1.5v CL9 - $21.99
ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M - $74.99
Intel 330 Series 60GB - $69.99
Antec Minuet350 with 350W PSU - $104.99
LITE ON Bluray Reader - $54.99
Logitech K400 - $39.99

Total - $491.93

 

[jmsellars1]

You could shrink that price a bit with a cheaper motherboard, just went for that one because it has 4 DIMM slots. Be sure to get 1866Mhz C9 memory to make the most of that CPU though, it relies on having decent memory unlike most Intel CPU's.

A cheaper CPU like an A6 or A8 would be fine as well.

Another suggestion as well would be to buy a cheap NAS instead of hard drives, it has loads of benefits. Means you can have a smaller, more stylish case for your HTPC and it will stay more quiet. Also means that other PC's on the network can access the content too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136746

That one looks good to me, mixed reviews but has the WD name and a 3 year warranty.

 

[hkton]

Best answer selected by hkton.