Under $200 HTPC Build Advice.

[Guest]

Hey there, I'm looking to build a home theater build for under $200, and I'm hoping to get advice on where I can get the best parts for the budget that I have. Here's what I have as of right now:

[PCPartPicker part list](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zyrK2R) / [Price breakdown by merchant](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zyrK2R/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A4-6300 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/qT6BD3/amd-cpu-ad6300okhlbox) | $33.33 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/YHhj4D/msi-motherboard-a68hme33v2) | $35.98 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/khfp99/corsair-memory-cmv4gx3m1a1600c11) | $22.89 @ OutletPC
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zqfp99/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ears) | $48.80 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Azza Cosmas ATX Mid Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xPs8TW/azza-case-csaz208s) | $14.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/86M323/evga-power-supply-100n10400l1) | $27.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Optical Drive** | [LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9nQRsY/lg-optical-drive-gh24nsc0b) | $16.88 @ OutletPC
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WN725N USB 2.0 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wQmLrH/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn725n) | $7.99 @ Newegg
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $228.85
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| **Total** | **$208.85**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2016-11-26 04:05 EST-0500 |

 

[ScrewySqrl]

your case is up to $30, making it $228.

I made some swaps to save money:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A4-6300 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($33.33 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Savage 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($23.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Hitachi 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix Nova ATX Mid Tower Case ($21.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Stallion 400W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.88 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $207.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-26 04:28 EST-0500

I swapped to an internal wi-fi card, was only $1 extra
I went with a less expensive, but faster HDD and Ram, less excpense PSU, Case, and dvd burner. dropped it from $228 to $207

 

[Chugalug_]

Goes a touch over, but well worth it.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7600 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($69.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($20.75 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.88 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($9.77 @ Newegg)
Total: $215.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-26 04:32 EST-0500

 

[Guest]

Goes a touch over, but well worth it.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7600 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($69.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($20.75 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.88 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($9.77 @ Newegg)
Total: $215.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-26 04:32 EST-0500

Both are very good answers, I actually took parts from both lists and made something that costs under $200. So thank you both for helping me, I can't wait to build this, slap some Linux on there and start watching some TV episodes.

 

[Chugalug_]

I'd strongly suggest you go with my build though, you get an APU with twice the performance, 8GB of RAM vs 4, and a better wireless adapter. 🙁

 

[Guest]

I'd strongly suggest you go with my build though, you get an APU with twice the performance, 8GB of RAM vs 4, and a better wireless adapter. 🙁

But then it would be over $200.

 

[Chugalug_]

It's only $15 over, and offers significantly higher performance for that little bit more.

 

[Guest]

It's only $15 over, and offers significantly higher performance for that little bit more.

But I'd need to take the 1tb HDD from the other list, which would bring the price up to $230 or so.

 

[Chugalug_]

320GB should be fine, but if you need the storage I see what you mean.
Save up a little more, trust me on this.
With only an A4 it won't perform very well.

 

[Guest]

320GB should be fine, but if you need the storage I see what you mean.
Save up a little more, trust me on this.
With only an A4 it won't perform very well.

Is that why you have the highest level i7?

 

[Chugalug_]

Calm the attitude, it's twice the CPU performance for a tiny bit more.
I bought a 6700k because I render videos for friends in my spare time. I got it on sale, and it helps with performance quite a bit with a 1080, that's a personal choice, nothing to do with you.
Actually, you know what?
Given your rude response I don't really see why I should care what you buy now, lol.
If you don't want the best for your money, go ahead.
You do you.
Treat people with respect and they'll help you, be rude and they won't.

 

[Guest]

Calm the attitude, it's twice the CPU performance for a tiny bit more.
I bought a 6700k because I render videos for friends in my spare time. I got it on sale, and it helps with performance quite a bit with a 1080, that's a personal choice, nothing to do with you.
Actually, you know what?
Given your rude response I don't really see why I should care what you buy now, lol.
If you don't want the best for your money, go ahead.
You do you.
Treat people with respect and they'll help you, be rude and they won't.

I was simply asking a question, but if you want to go through your life inferring insults where none were given, fine with me, just leave me out of it then.