what do you think? cant decide

[kdubb2772]

please help me decide between these 2 HTPC. I will be using it for XBMC 1080 movie streaming and for web browsing, pandora that kind of thing. I have read good things about both but can decide which one to go with.


http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/itemdetails/57320450/457/96EBC6A8C8EC47A59E95B3D5E300F333

price is $300.00


or this Intel NUC

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Next-Computing-Black-BOXDCCP847DYE/dp/B00B7I8HZ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393620908&sr=8-2&keywords=intel+nuc

$145

with these options:

4gb RAM:

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-10600-204-Pin-Notebook-CT51264BF1339/dp/B0061RO5H0/ref=pd_sim_pc_20?ie=UTF8&refRID=0C12AG46TQBS7QD760Z2

$40.39

30GB msata SSD:

http://www.amazon.com/MyDigitalSSD-MDMS-BP4-030-Bullet-Proof-mSATA/dp/B00B3X72U4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1393621212&sr=8-7&keywords=32gb+ssd
$45

Wireless/bluetooth:

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Network-7260-HMWG-Wireless-AC-Bluetooth/dp/B00DMCVKMU/ref=pd_sim_pc_24?ie=UTF8&refRID=0XBKCKVGPG532K9XGJBR

$35

I already have Win7

total is $266

What do you guys think? any options for the NUC that I could change? make better?

I was also thinking of just getting the NUC, putting 2gb RAM in with a wireless card and calling it a day. It would only be like $185.... Just put Linux or openelec to boot straight into XBMC.
Is it possible to have a web browser with those?

Thank you all for your help I really appreciate it!!

 

[Danbuscus25]

well, go with the intel NUC if the cpu is atleast 1.6GHz. the graphics dont matter too much except when you stream movies.

 

[StarBG]

Or make your own for around the same price as the lenovo and get more for your money. It can be made also a little cheaper.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC HTPC-KT28B HTPC Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $321.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-28 17:17 EST-0500)

 

[Danbuscus25]

yeah, pcpart picker is awsome!

 

[kdubb2772]

Dammit now you throw in that and now I am really lost on what to do. ....lol I really need to keep it under 300 if possible. What would you change?

Thank you for the reply also....I appreciate it

 

[Danbuscus25]

pcpartpicker.com is a great website to build a pc. if you know atleast enough to know what parts you need, you can build one on here. or, i could build you a nice $300 pc.

 

[kdubb2772]

Yeah I am looking to be under 300.....that is why I was thinking the nuc.......but if you could build one in pcpartpicker.com for me that would be great. Would that be better than the nuc you think (performance wise)?

 

[itzdanielp]

I personally like the NUC idea, except I personally would go with this one here:
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Next-Computing-Thunderbolt-i3-3217UDC3217BY/dp/B0093LINT2

And put the 4GB and the 30GB mSATA drive with the bluetooth dongle in it. That will give you a little more horsepower, and last a bit longer, while still staying way below your budget.

I would stay away from windows for a system like that, just due to the ridiculous overhead it requires for a bunch of stuff you won't need, and throw a really lightweight linux distro on it for the XBMC.

 

[StarBG]

You dont need a GPU, the inbuild one is enough for you or?

 

[itzdanielp]

That's correct. He will just be using it to decode / stream online feeds. A gpu is not needed for that, as iGPU's are more than enough.