Advice for Budget HTPC build

[ptw]

Hello folks I have not posted here for a while. I have been travelling and working abroad.

I'm looking at upgrading my PC since it's taken on a more HTPC role than it had when I built it, and I want to go high definition.

The most I do is net browsing while watching streaming video, image/ video editing with photoshop, DVD playback. Graphics-wise I have an old NX6200-TD128MB (DDR1) that has served me well but don’t know if it might bottleneck the new system.

I'll reuse my old case, 400W Corsair PSU, but will need a new motherboard, CPU, graphics card and RAM.

I have a budget of £150 in mind for all the bits but won't be too surprised or upset if I have to exceed that figure by a bit.

I'm not very up to speed with the requirements for high definition home theatre PCs, and I haven't a clue what sort of motherboard to use, etc, so I hoped you knowledgeable folk might be able to suggest what I should buy?

And lastly I would like to overclock as well.

Many thanks

 

[deathwish]

something like this

or you could keep the graphics card an get a better cpu

 

[Rastalovich]

I dunno, I did ponder this thread if I'm honest.

He is re-using his old case, but doesn`t necessarily state it`s a "htpc" size, just that it fulfills that role.

So I thought about a solid oc'ing mobo... and concluded that for a really good one (which u'd really want as a base) it's going to chew a large portion of that budget.

These E1200/1400 cpus any good ? Probably clock alot.

Gfxcard doesn`t really matter too much, just how much cash to throw at it. I'd probably look nvidia 8 series, or the ati equiv (whatever the heck that is, 3xxx maybe), for £40 or under. Doesn't leave much for a mobo for me.

Ham`s classic at this sorta thing.

 

[ptw]

He is re-using his old case, but doesn`t necessarily state it`s a "htpc" size, just that it fulfills that role.

Thanks guys for replying. I have a standard ATX tower which is ok for my setup. I would rather spend a bit more on Mobo that is easily upgradable.

How does this compare to a budget AMD setup in terms of bulk for money

 

[Rastalovich]

U could build a pretty good pc for ur requirements with:

Abit AX78 ~£55 (or equiv around the same price)

AMD 5200+ x2 ~£50 (ditto)

Gfxcard ~£40

and no real monies for ram.

I mean it'll run really well, do all u want, oc a bit, but if I`m honest I'd feel slightly guilty only cos from this point u would be a bit limited on ur updates in years to come.

If ur not concerned about that, then sure look down that route, but I don`t feel the current AMD on-a-budget builds have got much longevity in them. If u spend a fair bit more, then u can go for a better AMD mobo and so on AND be more furture proof.

As it stands, I`d concentrate on a solid Intel based 35/45 mobo, a cpu that`s know for oc'ing a load, and the gfx/memory aren`t an issue.

 

[ptw]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys, I will go for the intel setup.

My original intention was to upgrade my CPU on s939 to dual core. The prices for 2nd hand on ebay were ridiculous £100+ and no way was I paying that amount. I will have to stick to my budget, and hope the setup serve me for few years.

 

[AdamR79]

The celeron e1200 and e1400 are wonderful chips. At default clocks they have enough oomph to decode 1080p on their own (no gpu acceleration). And they clock reeeally well. Mine has been running at 2.8GHz for ages now, on stock air cooler amazing cpus for the money

 

[Ghosthud1]

a amd 780G and a 5200+ would of been nice

the onboard graphics are pritty amazing

 

[GavX]

Seconded, I have the same at home (but a 4200+)

I got the gigabyte 780g board for about £50, reused my old CPU but they cost about £30 now for a simple dual core Athlon. Add £22 for 2Gb RAM (Amazon have 2Gb Corsair PC6400 for £22 inc delivery ) and away you go. I have about a 400w doing that PC just fine.