Trying to build a HTPC

[CrapSac]

I'm looking for a HTPC build. Birthday rolled around and now I get to build a HTPC, yay me!

I'm trying to stay under $400, ideally $300, but I know that is going to be hard.

I already have a 3.5 HD, Blu Ray, and OS for the build.

Functionally, I would like to play 1080p movies on my 60" TV, and some gaming (minecraft , emulators, and other funs) I have a full gaming rig for the bigger games. I'm not interested in 4k capabilities, so that isn't a factor. I would prefer a wifi mobo, but it isn't essential. Also a TV tuner card is essential to the build. I prefer the CoolMaster Elite 120 case form factor Mini Itx, but I'm not married to it, if I can get what I need from Micro ATX.

I'm also not sure if this should be an AMD APU or Intel GPU build, so either way is fine.

I'm really just looking for some suggestions, or just a flat out parts list. Anything will help, and thanks for reading.

 

[Alec Mowat]

I'm looking into similar options, I already picked up the case.

I WANT the AMD setup, I know the graphics performance is better, especially for gaming.

However; the embedded Celeron setups are good enough for what I need, and I have spare PCIe graphics card I can toss in that will resolve poor performance on the onboard video.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Biostar-NM70I-847-Mini-ITX-Motherboard-w-Intel-Celeron-847-Dual-Core-DDR3-HDMI-/151222404386?pt=Motherboards&hash=item23358ec522

 

[jonoj96]

This is an intel apu build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($65.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $329.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-20 01:42 EDT-0400)

The AMD apu build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $363.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-20 01:44 EDT-0400)

 

[Alec Mowat]

Both are fine, the AMD will use more power I believe.

For gaming, I'd take option 2 and change it for an A10.
For just media, Option 1 will require a video card. I don't think the Pentium has an integrated graphics component, just the i3 and up.

Correction:
Integrated Graphics Intel HD Graphics

It does, but it's not going to be useful for anything in gaming really. media center it's fine.

 

[CrapSac]

Thanks Jonoj96, those are both really great options.

Also I would like to see a TV tuner (non-cable subscriber) card option

 

[jonoj96]

This is a decent tv tuner and recorder

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116028