[Discreet]

Hey Everyone, long time lurker but new member.

I have been using XBMC for some time now. I have it set up on a windows 7 machine i built connected to my tv, and on a laptop in my bedroom also connected to a tv. I have all my media files shared at the moment. I am going to be turning the tower into a full Ubuntu Server, but first I need to replace it with an HTPC for my living room.

This only needs to be a client, be able to stream 1080p content so I need HDMI, netflix, and hulu. I am probably going to run XBMC Live since it won't be used for anything else.

Here's where the challenge comes in. I am a huge fan of tigerdirect.com; that is where I bought my barebones kit for my current setup. However, I have $200 in bestbuy rewards points and would like to spend as little as possible out of pocket. Anything you can give me would help since I don't purchase computer parts from bestbuy often.

[poofyhairguy]

Buy a gt430, and a PSU from Best Buy. Maybe some DDR3 too and a case.

Get a AMD X2 from Tiger.

[Discreet]

I'll look those up and see what the total comes to.

Is it possible to run XBMC on the WD TV Live Media Center?

[poofyhairguy]

No

[Discreet]

So here is what I came up with so far. Let me know what you think.

This Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...=A406-2016

This Mobo
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Micro...Id=9724401

This CPU
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/AMD+-+Athlon...Id=9564562

This RAM
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Memory+Maste...Id=9359963

This HDD (Unless I can use an old 80GB IDE HDD with no issues)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Western+Digi...Id=1046845

This Network Card
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/D-Link+-+Xtr...Id=8333868

[maxinc]

I would go with a discrete video card like nVidia GT210 to keep costs low or GT430 to be more future proof.

I am not sure about WiFi & streaming 1080p. If you can do it with the laptop over WiFi, it may work but if it doesn't and if running Cat 5e is not an option, my next choice would be a set of HomePlugs like these:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...&CatId=211

Try the IDE drive first. If it is too noisy or slow, you can replace it later.

[Discreet]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...%20HD-ND02

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856173005

Are either of these sufficient? This would result in about $35 out of pocket cost.

[eskro]

those ZOTACs are ok is your not willing/capable of building your own system....
any how, if your technically capable, build your own HTPC Rig....

now, regarding buying a low cost HTPC, you can have a look at these parts...

[cpu] Athlon X2 3.0GHz AM3 65W ($60) http://fwd4.me/u0U
[ram] GeIL 2 x 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 1066 CL7 ($40) http://fwd4.me/u0V
[mobo] MSI AM3 USB2 MicroATX ($60) http://fwd4.me/u0W
[gpu] ASUS HD5450 512MB DDR2 64-bit Low Profile ($35 + $0 - $15 MIR) http://fwd4.me/u0b
[case + psu] Sentey SS1-2422 MicroATX 450W ($52) http://fwd4.me/u0Y
[wifi] Rosewill 802.11b/g/n2 PCIe 300Mbps WPA2 ($20 + $3) http://fwd4.me/uIR
.
.

[Nasa]

($35 + $0 - $15 MIR) http://fwd4.me/u0b
[case + psu] Sentey SS1-2422 MicroATX 450W ($52) http://fwd4.me/u0Y
.
.

Can't seem to find that case on newegg.ca; can you recommend another one?

[eskro]

well, wait till they receive some in stock,,,

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6811322004