HTPC FM1

[sticky_wicket]

Getting a new HTPC together in the next week or so and thinking FM1: I feel like it should be enough power for playing movies and using Google Earth on a big screen. Would go i5+GPU but seems overkill w no gaming. You save the cost of the video card, more or less.

Ill also use it as a central server for data, so starting with one HD but adding more.

$140 CPU AMD A8-3850 APU Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Processor http://www.amazon.com/AMD-A8-3850-Graphics-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B0055ZCXVE/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I22P51TQHGAO3O&colid=8CDAH35344H9

$100 Mobo Gigabyte A75M-UD2H http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-A75M-UD2H-Socket-Graphic-Motherboard/dp/B0057TG6AW/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I28ZNLISR5ICHN&colid=8CDAH35344H9 Micro ATX, lots of 6gb/s SATA connectors that face up. USB 3.0 and 4x ram (its going to get gaming pc hand me downs).

$209 Case http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13573/cst-1219/Lian_Li_Domus_Series_PC-C60_Black_HTPC_Case_w_USB_30.html
I'm in love with this case- lots of HD space, well thought out interior design, USB 3.0 on the front. Nice looking- super simple and will go with my gear. Id go for something cheaper like the http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Aluminum-Steel-Computer-GD05B/dp/B0036WTDGQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I12ML4QJQAINNP&colid=8CDAH35344H9 if I could pull the plugs on the front and upgrade them to 3.0. The Dominus is crazy expensive even if it is just what I need...

$40 RAM TBD DDR 3 1866

$130 SSD Corsair Force Series CSSD-F60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233124 60 GB, just enough to boot and run a couple of programs. No OCZ no Intel.

$129 Hard Drive HITACHI Deskstar 7K3000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145473 2tb and 6 gb/s.

Power supply I have one, 500w and not modular. Might replace with one that is for cable management purposes and silencing.

Tot: $750

So whata ya think, sirs?

 

[wintermint]

I wouldn't go for Hitachi Deskstar. I own one myself. It's so noisy that I'm scared it will die on me any second now. Samsung Spinpoint F3 $60 are pretty good, you acn go for the Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm around $140. Sata 6gb/s is a marketing gimmick, don't think anything can use its full potential yet.

If you really want SSD. Take a look at the Crucial m4: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441 Its sustained read/write is 415/95
compared to Corsair's 285/275. Corsair is well balanced but I think read speed is more important because you're only using this to hold your application and OS. Read this with a grain of salt because I'm not experienced with SSD.

1866MHz has an average of 10% increase in performance over 1600MHz. You should buy at least 4GB worth. G.Skill are reputable and their RAMs are usually cheaper than Corsair. Here's a set for $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455 There's another set for at least $20 less but it has no mention of llano and I'm sure it will probably work fine but it's your call.

Where the hell is your optical drive? Do you have no need for one because you plan to download the movies and rewatch it from there? You can grab a decent blu-ray drive for $60 or a cd/dvd burner for $20.

Last of all, I do recommend modular for better cable management and better air flow. Do check up on reviews on the brands. Anything made by Seasonic is reliable but they are more on the expensive side. Antec and Corsair are good. Beware of the V2 of Corsair CX series. XFX has some PSU made by Seasonic so take a look at those as well.

 

[sticky_wicket]

Good stuff, I have a DVD player so why bother with putting in a drive?
Optical is dead.

 

[gkay09]

Here is a config with alternative parts -

CPU + Mobo
IMO even the 3650 would suffice if no gaming,... It is still very powerful for HTPC needs,...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.687729

RAM - 2x 2GB DDR3 1600MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

CASE - Check this one out - has what you need,...
SILVERSTONE Grandia Series GD06B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163179

SSD - Get the newer faster one
Corsair Force Series 3 CSSD-F60GB3-BK 2.5" 60GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233194

HDD - Same

PSU - OCZ Mod 500W - A good one for the price,...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Total - ~$675

 

[Outlander_04]

A WD or Samsung GREEN hard drive for low noise

Probably the WD