Looking for Slim/HTPC on a budget...
I'm looking for a PC to put into my home entertainment unit. My budget is really low. I haven't built a system in a while, but it seems like the minimum price on a halfway decent homebuilt system doesn't come in under $500.
What I have found is a Dell Inspiron 545s at the Dell Outlet for $319, with the following specs:
Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor E5300 (2M Cache, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
4 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)
640 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Adding a low profile video card like the ATI 4650 card brings the total up to around $375.
Any thoughts on this system, or ideas on doing a cheaper homebuilt with similar specs? The sticking point always seems to be the case when I try to do homebuilt... all the decent HTPC cases come in at around $100, and that kind of blows the budget up when the case alone is 1/4 of the cost.
What I have found is a Dell Inspiron 545s at the Dell Outlet for $319, with the following specs:
Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor E5300 (2M Cache, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
4 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)
640 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Adding a low profile video card like the ATI 4650 card brings the total up to around $375.
Any thoughts on this system, or ideas on doing a cheaper homebuilt with similar specs? The sticking point always seems to be the case when I try to do homebuilt... all the decent HTPC cases come in at around $100, and that kind of blows the budget up when the case alone is 1/4 of the cost.
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Comments
Decode 1080p video with no lag (which from what I've read the 4xxx series of ATI cards can do)
Look really nice with Fantasy Grounds on my television.
Thanks!
<dl class="comboPriceList"><dd>
- Antec M FusionRemote 350:$89.99
- ASUS M4A785-M:$79.99
- AMD HDZ720WFK3DGI:$109.99
- G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ:$49.99
- G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ:$49.99
- Western Digital WD1001FALS:$99.99
- LG ELECTRONICS CH08LS10:$89.99
</dd><dd class="comboTotalPrice">- <label>Combined Total:</label>$569.93
- <label>Combo Discounts:</label>-$88.98
- <label>Combo Price:</label>$480.95
</dd></dl>I wouldn't price yourself out of dual core if at all possible. What about this?
My experience with slim cases, and HTPC builds in general is that they get extremely warm. And warm systems needs loud fans to survive. A slim case have limited fan options. You might survive if you have that case in the open, but if your idea is to put it in a rack of some sort, forget about it. You will be extremely dissapointed. Simply put, that extra videocard will add to much heat to things. But you already know this.
What is your current gaming machine? Any chance to route a hdmi cable from your primary system out to the living room? Use bluetooth for mouse and keyboard and you are all set. Much cheaper too.
My current "gaming" rig is a 16" laptop with an integrated nVidia 8200M chip, so it's not great for much of anything. I intend to use the HTPC to upgrade my gaming experience now as well.
I remember being able to build a pretty competitive system back in the Athlon XP days for under $400, but that doesn't seem to be the case any more. I'll have to go with what I can afford, though, so the new system will have to be pretty modest.
Long story short, the fact that you're looking to upgrade your gaming experience pushes you into the $600 range.
I realize that the 4650 is underpowered, but for the $25 it costs I figure I can upgrade soon, and in the meantime I'll have a video card that is still a touch better than the integrated graphics of the 8200M.
Total for the PC is at $372, with $55 in rebates coming back to me. Not bad!
If you decide on anything with DDR2, now is the time. Prices on DDR2 is about to skyrocket. Even Asrock have a new Mini ITX Atom board out...with DDR3. That's about as scary as it gets.
Why not use your laptop as a Mediamachine? Put those hard earned dollars towards a gaming machine instead. Or hustle some buy and sell forums for some good second handed deals. You're a modder, you'll sort things out.