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Joined: Feb 2012
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I recommend against a "slow build". You typically have only 30 days to return defective or incompatible parts.
Posts: 1,518
Joined: Mar 2011
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A big +1 on that.
Save and buy it all at once. Especially the mobo/processor/RAM are crucial to have all at the same time.
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Joined: May 2012
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Thanks for the quick responses!
Clarification on the desire for Windows - Netflix is a must have for me, and my understanding is that there is no viable way to get Netflix working in linux right now. I also want Blu ray support, which I think is easier in Windows. Considering an OEM license to reduce the price, although not thrilled that I won't be able to transfer it between systems later if needed.
Parts list from Newegg. This was my first stab at putting together a list from looking at various tutorials here and elsewhere. This will be a dedicated HTPC that needs to be capable of internet streaming and blu ray playback. I also have a Homerun HD hooked up to my network for OTA TV that I wanted the HTPC to be able to act as a DVR for (the P4 system I currently have, sadly, can record but not play back, rendering the whole antenna hook up useless unless I want to transfer files to another PC).
Case: nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case (Item #: N82E16811204035) $66.99
Mobo: ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS (Item #: N82E16813157260) $74.99
PSU: SeaSonic S12II 380B 380W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply (Item #: N82E16817151072) $53.99
Processor: AMD A8-3870K Unlocked Llano 3.0GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6550D AD3870WNGXBOX
(Item #: N82E16819106001) $119.99
RAM: G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT (Item #: N82E16820231422) $39.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (Item #: N82E16822136769) $69.99
Disc Drive: LG Black 12X Internal Blu-ray Drive 3D Playback & M-DISC Support SATA Model UH12LS29 LightScribe Support (Item #: N82E16827136246) $49.99
Total: $475.93
Desirable other: Small SSD for the OS.
Thanks again for all of the input! I'm not married to any of these parts, and although I'd prefer a nice AV-style case, I'm also thinking of just getting the cheapest thing that is relatively easy for a newb to figure out.
Posts: 479
Joined: Feb 2012
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Why would you pay $65 for a 320GB hard drive?
Just get the SSD for a few dollars more.
Its not just about the lowest cost. Its also about the lowest buyer's remorse.