[Uggers]

Hey all,

After reading around a lot I thing I've decide on the kit for my HTPC. Feel free to throw any comments at me and let me know if I've gone over the top or need more.
I basically want;

• Mild Gaming/Steam Big Picture (old emulators/non heavy graphics)
  
• Stream from external Network/USB HDD
  
• Play Blu-Ray Discs
  
• Run XBMC

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£49.98 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-ITX Mini ITX FM2 Motherboard (£68.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£29.59 @ Scan.co.uk)
Storage: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£54.77 @ Scan.co.uk)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive (£25.88 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Novatech Vision Media Centre Case (£49.98 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £279.19

The PSU I've heard is a bit noisy, but I am not sure I want to spend much more really as I'll be adding anouther £25 to upgrade/add Windows 8 OS
Any suggestions at all where I might improve or cut costs from?

[Malosar]

Well if you want to play Blu-Ray discs, you'll need software like PowerDVD or TMT5 (I use the latter). That can increase your costs up to another $100 extra, depending on how cheap you can get it.

[Uggers]

That won't be a problem thankfully, my brother gave me his unused copy of PowerDVD that he got free when he bought a bluray drive at the start of the year

[bluray]

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£49.98 @ Ebuyer)

If you don't care for 3D, it should make great HTPC. Here is the complete features on APU- Features and Benefits....

[kerlin219]

it should handle 3d my a6-3500 plays 3d movies no probs.

[bluray]

it should handle 3d my a6-3500 plays 3d movies no probs.

You need to read the latest spec in AMD website. If you want Trinity with 3D capability, you need at least AMD A8-5500. A6-5400K is not the same APU as A6-3500. A6-5400K is a brand new APU with entirely different spec than A6-3500......

[Uggers]

mmmm

The price difference is only another £27, tempting, not sure I can skim of any more cost to balance it out or if its worth it if I don't end up wanting 3d in the end (TVs not compatible atm)