DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Suggestions required for finalising HTPC config

31 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/suggestions-required-for-finalising-htpc-config.138306/

M
mav555 Original post #1
Mar 21, 2011 at 5:42 PM
HI All

I am Planning to replace my Old P4 3.0 Ghz +DGC101 CPU.
This time i am interested in going HTPC way.
Already decided to go for AMD based config as 10-12 K is max budget for Processor+Mobo,Cabinet,RAM.

Please suggest some good configuration in this budget.

1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: Slim form factor is a must as this will be a HTPC connected to Sony 42" LCD (Should be able to play all sorts of video and audio formats).Also this will be used for ocassional browsing/gaming.

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: Yes

3. What is your MAX budget?
A: 10-12K (for Mobo\Cabinet\RAM\processor)

4. Planning to overclock?
A: No

5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Windows 7

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: 1TB ( already purchased 2 months back)

7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want? If you already want have one and want to use it, mention its resolution and size.
A: will be used with 42" LCD

8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
A: 8

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: Yes and will assemble it on my own

10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: within 2 days

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Yes (may be for next 2-3 years only)

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: HDD, Optical Drive, Monitor, UPS,keyboard/Mouse

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Chandigarh, yes

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A: NA
utkarsh009
Mar 21, 2011 at 5:58 PM
amd athlon II X3 440 @3.4k, gigabyte ga-880gm-ud2h@4.5k, nzxt gamma@2k, corsair 2x2gb@2.4k, total=12.1k

do you have a psu? if not then take zebronics bijli@1k and add fsp saga II 350W@1.5k and remove nzxt gamma.
saswat23
Mar 21, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Your config:
* CPU: Athlon II x4 635 -- 4.1k
* MoBo: GigaByte GA-880GM-UD2H -- 4.3k
* RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR3 -- 2.3k
* CASE: Zebronics Bijli -- 1k
Total --- 11.7k

If you dont have a good PSU, then probably get FSP SAGA II 350W -- 1.5k
Total --- 13.2k

Dont use cheap PSUs. Go for good branded ones like FSP, Corsair..
skeletor
Mar 21, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Athlon II X2 250 @ 2700
Asus M4A78LT-M LE @ 2700 [760G chipset]
2GB Kingston/Corsair/Gskill 1333Mhz DDR3 RAM @ 1200
FSP Saga II 400w @ 2000 [good PSU is must]
CM Elite 310 cabinet @ 1500 or CM Elite 360 mATX cabinet @ 1900

Total = 10,100.

Get a graphics card later if you need to play games. IGP of the motherboard should be enough for mild gaming and Full HD video.
Piyush
Piyush #5
Mar 21, 2011 at 6:42 PM
2k left
use them to get x3/x4 if possible
M
mav555 #6
Mar 21, 2011 at 7:55 PM
Your config:
* CPU: Athlon II x4 635 -- 4.1k
* MoBo: GigaByte GA-880GM-UD2H -- 4.3k
* RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR3 -- 2.3k
* CASE: Zebronics Bijli -- 1k
Total --- 11.7k

If you dont have a good PSU, then probably get FSP SAGA II 350W -- 1.5k
Total --- 13.2k

Dont use cheap PSUs. Go for good branded ones like FSP, Corsair..

Thanks everybody for the suggestions.
Config finalized as of now is

Processor Amd athlon II x4 635
MoBo: GigaByte GA-880GM-UD2H
RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR3
PSU fap SAGA II 350W
Cabinet I'm looking at is coolermastet elite 100
Will it be ok or too packed for proper ventilation ?
utkarsh009
Mar 21, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Athlon II X2 250 @ 2700
Asus M4A78LT-M LE @ 2700 [760G chipset]
2GB Kingston/Corsair/Gskill 1333Mhz DDR3 RAM @ 1200
FSP Saga II 400w @ 2000 [good PSU is must]
CM Elite 310 cabinet @ 1500 or CM Elite 360 mATX cabinet @ 1900

Total = 10,100.

Get a graphics card later if you need to play games. IGP of the motherboard should be enough for mild gaming and Full HD video.

this is perfect config if only htpc is your need. why waste money? isnt it? however if you plan to do some amount of multitasking and play a few more games then opt for x3.
Piyush
Piyush #8
Mar 21, 2011 at 8:00 PM
^^Its good
just buy a pair of fans if you feel other way round
M
mav555 #9
Mar 21, 2011 at 8:18 PM
Yep prime use is htpc only but was thinking from future proofing

I want CPU to be placed horizontally so looking
For htpc cases but still not able to decide which one to ho for ?
coderunknown
Mar 21, 2011 at 8:43 PM
PSU fap SAGA II 350W
Cabinet I'm looking at is coolermastet elite 100
Will it be ok or too packed for proper ventilation ?

will FSP Saga II fit in a slim cabby?
skeletor
skeletor #11
Mar 21, 2011 at 8:46 PM
Have a look at this: Silverstone Sugo Series SG02B-F00020 @ PrimeABGB
M
mav555 #12
Mar 21, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Have a look at this: Silverstone Sugo Series SG02B-F00020 @ PrimeABGB

@ico thanks
This is nice ..kind of cabinet I am looking for.
Anybody having previous shopping experience with primeabgb ?
Not sure about reliability
I think this one should be able to take all the components easily .
What do you think ?
skeletor
skeletor #13
Mar 21, 2011 at 9:00 PM
It looks like it should be able to. :)

Here are a few pics: Silverstone Sugo Series SG02B-F00020 - pics

Specifications: Silverstone Sugo Series SG02B-F00020 - specs

and pic of the rear side:
*www.silverstonetek.com/images/products/sg02/sg02-back-viewS.jpg

Asus M4A78LT-M LE - ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - ASUS M4A78LT-M LE

Anybody having previous shopping experience with primeabgb ?
Not sure about reliability
PrimeABGB is the most reliable online dealer. :)
Jaskanwar Singh
Mar 21, 2011 at 9:08 PM
ico can a 760g play hd movies easily?
M
mav555 #16
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:22 PM
not sure whether i should look for mobos supporting USb 3.0 as of now :-x
Piyush
Piyush #17
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:24 PM
if budget is making problems, then skip usb3 mobos
you can always add PCIe card for this feature
skeletor
skeletor #18
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:28 PM
not sure whether i should look for mobos supporting USb 3.0 as of now :-x
you can get a USB 3.0 PCIe 1x card later when they become cheap.
M
mav555 #19
Mar 22, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Hi all

Are the prices of primeagbg inclusive of shipping cost ?
and what is the normal delivery time
coderunknown
Mar 22, 2011 at 7:24 PM
no. shipping charges extra.

should take 3-5 days.
M
mav555 #21
Mar 24, 2011 at 10:12 PM
finally ordered the cabinet silverstone s02 from primeabgb :)
should be with me in 3-4 days.

The components finalised as of now are
motherboard Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H
ram Corsair Value 2X2GB DDR3 1333MHz
psu FSP saga II 350W

really confused reg processor ?
Athlon II X2 250
Athlon II X3 440


pls suggest as ill be buying the components tmmrw or day after
saswat23
saswat23 #22
Mar 24, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Get X3, more future proof.
skeletor
skeletor #23
Mar 24, 2011 at 11:34 PM
really confused reg processor ?
Athlon II X2 250
Athlon II X3 440


pls suggest as ill be buying the components tmmrw or day after
imo, you don't really need anything above Athlon II X2 250 for HTPC. Rest is your choice if you want to be so-called "future proof."
M
mav555 #24
Mar 25, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Please suggest some good UPS under 4K


APC BACK-UPS ES 650VA 230V

i was using APC but it got burnt few months back.

Even the service centre guys told me that the entire Cicuit board has got burnt and it is not repairable :(
saswat23
saswat23 #25
Mar 25, 2011 at 6:01 PM
APC 800VA at 3.5k.
MegaMind
MegaMind #26
Mar 25, 2011 at 7:01 PM
For this rig, APC 600va - 1.7k will suffice...
M
mav555 #27
Mar 26, 2011 at 3:19 PM
MoBo: GigaByte GA-880GM-UD2H
This is not available here .
Is thr any good mono based on 880 chipsets
From Asus ?? Model no with price
Pls suggest going for upgrade in the evening .
Piyush
Piyush #28
Mar 26, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Asus M4A88TD-V-EVO/USB-3 @ 6.8k
Asus M4A88TD-M-EVO/USB-3 @ 6.2k
M
mav555 #29
Mar 27, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Finally went for phenom 955 BE
Got 25 % off via friend who is working
With AMD
Mobo is Asus 88-m-le
Ram corsair 1333mhz 4gb
Still running components in Old cabby as will be porting
Them to silverstone s02 in a day or too.
One ques reg Os , as of now using widows xp 32 bit
Will installing 64 bit make more sense ??
Also if I plan to do gaming will 64 bit Os be fine ?
skeletor
skeletor #30
Mar 27, 2011 at 12:39 PM
Will installing 64 bit make more sense ??
Also if I plan to do gaming will 64 bit Os be fine ?
yea, only Windows 7 64bit makes sense these days. Every game and software will work fine. amd64 processors are backwards compatible with the old x86 or 32bit instruction set. This includes Intel Core * too.
M
mav555 #31
Mar 27, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Thanks a lot everybody for helping .:smile: