HTPC Build - Need some advice

[Tbalasso]

Hey everyone,
I am a 21 year old from Melbourne, Australia. I am looking at building my first PC. The plan is to build a HTPC computer. Currently this is my components, but I am really unsure about other components.

CASE - Silverstone LC10-E Black
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12122

MOTHERBOARD - Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=17724

HDD - 2 x WD 2TB HD That I already have. With plans in the future to get a SSD
I will probably be expanding to more hard drives in the future as well.

Plus I currently have a spare DVD Drive to use, with no plans of an upgrade to Blu-Ray Player, as I already have a PS3.

For now I don't plan on using a Video Card, but thats always a maybe in the future. I plan on using the system for watching Movies/Tv Shows, listening to music and playing Games on, but nothing new enough to warrant a video card as yet.
So what sort of RAM, Processor and Power Supply should I get.

 

[AdrianPerry]

What budget range are you looking at? How much do you have to spend on the build?

 

[Tbalasso]

On the Ram, processor and power supply. I was looking to spend under $300

 

[jsc]

Isthis going to be a pure HTPC?

 

[Tbalasso]

It will be running XBMC and Hyperspin FE

 

[need4speeds]

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1207_1259&products_id=17955

Micro atx fm1 board. $85

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_345_1260&products_id=17807

Llano A8-3500 that has a 2.9ghz quad and 400 shader gpu built in. $149.99

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_733&products_id=6704

asus htpc case with 380watt p/s. $125

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_538_913&products_id=15938

8gb ddr-1600 memory. $65

 

[Tbalasso]

I have already decided on the Motherboard and Case, I just wanted opinions on the processor and ram and power supply.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Helps when we know your budget.....?

EDIT:
Apologies, didn't see it listed above

 

[Tbalasso]

As posted in an above post.

I have $300 to spend on the Processor, RAM and Power Supply.

I already have the Motherboard, Case, 2 x Hard Drives

 

[AdrianPerry]

Ideally you want to be looking at 4/8GB RAM, 500w PSU (since you plan to add a GPU in the future), and an i3 or i5. I dont think i5 will quite fit into budget though being as its around $200 on its own.

$193 i5-2400 Socket 1155
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=16402

$80 Corsair 500w
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=17373

$36 G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB (2x2GB)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=13105

----------

$125 i3-2100 Socket 1155
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=16725

 

[Outlander_04]

Seasonic 430 watt $80
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=15958

Intel Core i3 2120 $145
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=16726

2 x2 gig of RAM
www.cantbebotheredlookingthroughthatlistfor1600MHz,1.5voltram.com

 

[AdrianPerry]

Seasonic 430 watt $80
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=15958

Intel Core i3 2120 $145
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=16726

2 x2 gig of RAM
www.cantbebotheredlookingthroughthatlistfor1600MHz,1.5voltram.com

I know SeaSonic make very very good quality PSU's, but so do Corsair, surely a 500w unit at the same price would be better value?

 

[Outlander_04]

I know SeaSonic make very very good quality PSU's, but so do Corsair, surely a 500w unit at the same price would be better value?

Why?
Surely not for the bigger number , because the total system draw is going to be about 100 watts .

And then you have to consider that Corsair dont make PSU's . They buy them . The best Corsair PSU's were/ are made by .......
.........seasonic

 

[AdrianPerry]

The OP stated he wanted to add a graphics card in the future.

430w limits your choice to something below a 6850. 500w allows anything up to 560Ti or 6950. So yes, i'm suggesting it for "the bigger number"

 

[besthtpc]

Hi i think that the motherboard vga card is not sufficient to decode x264 movies on the gpu.
I always advice to get a low watt cpu lets say 45 watt. that you can use for internetting playing xvids divx. but when you need to the power to decode the x264 use a dxva I or dxva II compatible gpu. A low end ati will do try to get a fanless one. Fans always make the most noise. Especialy when they get dusty and older.
Also a 45 watt cpu is cheap and you dont require a Huge cooler fan to cool it.

 

[rwpritchett]

Any modern integrated video will handle x264/h.264 video just fine easily. It's been that way for years. No discreet card is needed. Even if a video file is not DXVA compliant, any of the discussed CPU's can handle the job through software decoding.