Media Center ATX build - Help Needed Thanks

[nutter4]

Hey there,

Im looking to build a media center for my tv, i had my lappy connected by HDMI to my tv and had vista media center on it, nd love it .

But i'd like to build a dedicated computer for my TV being able to run vista, media center + a diecent storage about 500 gb - and for it to be small and out of the way so i heard about ATX motherboards.

I wouldnt have a clue on how to build one , like what prosessor nd its sockets confuses me a little lol


If anybody could give advise please on a mother board and memory would be a start ?

About $200 all in if that is possible ? max $300

Many Thanks,
Pete

 

[WR2]

Vista Home Premium with Media Center costs $100.
I'm not sure $140's worth of computer parts will get the job doen after $60 for 500GB HDD Vista Home Premium OEM $100.

Intel Atom processor 230 & 945GC Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo $65 Intel 950GMA graphics onboard
2GB CORSAIR DDR2 667 RAM $19
Samsung 500GB HDD $60
hec 7K09 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case w/ 270W PSU $49
Vista Home Premium OEM $100
$293 plus tax and shipping (note the missing DVD drive - you'd have to scavenge one for the OS load)

To be honest, I dont think these parts would get the job done for you. You're about $75-$100 lite in budget IMO.

Are you sure you don't want to learn to use one of free, excellent LINUX OSs Mythbuntu and others?
linux-mythtv-VS-windows-media-center

 

[MykC]

To be honest, I dont think these parts would get the job done for you. You're about $75-$100 lite in budget IMO.

Don't expect to decode 1080p. You might be able to decode 720p with CoreAVC though.

You need more money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255 AMD 4850e $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131330 Asus 780v mATX motherboard $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590 4GB DDR2800 $44 - $25MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124118 Case and PSU $50 - $30MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152112 Samsung 500GB HD $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032 LG DVD drive $22

This core will decode 1080p fine for you. $307 - $50 MIR. No OS included. I personally like XBMC, but most of the time I don't use any front end. I never really like Windows Media Center myself, although I probably didn't give it a fair shot.

 

[MykC]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154052 $40 for mATX case solution.