Building a Low-End HTPC
Punit Lodaya, Jan 12, 2007 1700 hrs IST
A couple of months back we configured a mid-end HTPC, it's time to Build a Low-End HTPC now. Let's get started...
Few months back, we featured a configuration for a mid-end HTPC. Making a low-end HTPC is a bit tricky, because it is difficult to make a feature-rich PC while keeping the cost down. Today, we will put together a Low-End HTPC, but since price is the prime and prominent consideration, few features will be severed. Well, enough of jabber, let's get down to the list.
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (AM2) (Price: Rs. 3650)
Well, the AMD Athlon 3000+ is a solid performing budget processor. Even though AM2 is expensive compared to the Socket 939 counterparts, the extra cost is worth the upgrade which will be available in a year's time.
With a core running at 1.8 GHz and 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 cache, a 1 GHz HyperTransport bus along with an integrated DDR memory controller that supports dual channel DDR RAM, this CPU is ideal for an entry level HTPC.
Motherboard: MSI K9NGM2 (Price: Rs. 4000)
Based on the GeForce 6150 Core Logic Chipset with 430 MCP Southbridge, this is the best motherboard with an onboard graphic accelerator solution for the AM2 socket CPU. The Geforce 6150 supports TV-Out and Nvidia Pure Decoder. The 430 MCP has options of using Dual SATA RAID, Onboard Gigabyte Ethernet, USB 2.0, and Firewire. Besides that, the board supports a handful of features like Dual Channel Memory, PCI Express x16 slot, PCI-E 1X slot, and 2 PCI slots.
The MSI K9NGM2 perfectly supports 'Cool N Quiet' technology. We need a mATX motherboard for our needs, which will be explained later. MSI is already well known for high stability platform especially with the Geforce 61xx chips.
RAM: Transcend 512 MB DDR II 533 MHz (Price: Rs. 2700)
The AM2 based Athlon 64 supports DDR2 RAM up to 800 MHz. Currently the DDR2-800 is very expensive, so DDR2-533 should do for now. Also, the main usage of HTPC is CPU-intensive rather than memory-intensive. So 512 MB should do for now. One can always upgrade to a higher capacity at any given time.
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GOOD ENOUGH, well, i plan for a PC Only for digital video - live streaming , especially for VOIP, IPTV,besides games. ON a LCD panel i prefer AMD and all components from ACER, of course, MAC is restricted to HIGH end config.budget 30,000+5000
dr.shekar | hyderabad | 09/07/07 05:25 PM | Report abuse Reply
could u please post an article to upgrade my cpu to 1gb ram and 80 gb harddisk. i have 128 mb ram nd 20gb harddrive right now. plz include the costs as well
ishaan jain | delhi | 23/05/07 01:40 PM | Report abuse Reply
suggest a config which can be multitasking for fun & work too. its entry level what u suggested. please make the configuration which can deliver a great performence on vista with list of compatible antivirus & some softwares. and suggest one laptop. what u configured in this addition is awesome
MANOJ WAROKAR | NEW DELHI | 16/05/07 11:50 AM | Report abuse Reply
You guys don't review any laptops ? Pls suggest any best all rounder laptop for for 40K in Bangalore. I need to buy one.
D.Jay | Bangalore | 05/05/07 11:10 AM | Report abuse Reply
Hi Techtree guys, It has been a very long time since you published this article and there is a lot reduction in the prices since then. Can you build the new confgns for Rs.30K, 40K & 50K. Pls include the cost of OS, Monitor (17''TFT) & nice speakers as well. Also suggest any Free avlb softwares which saves money.
Jay.D | Bangalore | 05/05/07 11:05 AM | Report abuse Reply
Extend budget by 2.5k and u can get AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750).
punjab234 | Moga | 12/01/07 06:02 PM | Report abuse Reply
Superb Combination Suggested... u will be satisfied with the performance .... try Foxconn Mobos Quality is Foxconn > Gigabyte > MSI > ASUS
vishal | hyderabad | 27/04/07 08:09 PM | Report abuse
sir, please tell me if the AMD is good for the graphics or intel. I need the configuration for multimedia training institute. adobe, autodesk, etc.
Shankar | Visakhapatnam | 07/03/07 09:01 PM | Report abuse Reply
Waht about the monitor????
executioner | chennai | 13/01/07 10:39 AM | Report abuse Reply
dum dum dum
digvijay | new delhi | 14/01/07 11:30 AM | Report abuse
Agreed! very dum! u idiot, its a HTPC it connects to a ******* TV not a monitor. Get an education man.. learn to read!
** Message edited by moderator **
i hate idiots | Banglore | 04/03/07 12:15 PM | Report abuse
I am also planning to connect my new PC to my home theatre.. i have some space problems in my room. Also thinking of a sound blaster extreme audoi(NOT music)
Vivek Sood | Gurgaon | 01/03/07 05:18 AM | Report abuse Reply
I think people in general are not aware of the fact that audio video quality from a PC is better than a regular or even costly DVD players and home theatres etc. I can imagine a time when techtree users/visitors etc will buy a HTPC straiht away instead of wasting money on a home theatre...!
Vivek Sood | Gurgaon | 01/03/07 05:16 AM | Report abuse Reply
Hello Sir, What abt the cost of the monitor. I am also looking for an upgrade. I have an old P3 1GHz. Now I want to go for AMD x2 3800+ AM2 6000/- MSI K9NGM2 4000/- 512MB Kingston RAM 2300/- 80GB SATA Hitachi Deskstar 2150/- 16X DVD dual layer writer SONY 1950/- iBall Cabinet + SMPS 1500-1800/- KeyBoard + Mouse 800/- Monitor 17" LG Flatron 5900/- Can you give me a better configuration than this is a budget of upto 25k.
Nitin Sahdev | Ropar | 07/02/07 11:53 PM | Report abuse Reply
By extending budget by Rs2700 one can buy:- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ (AM2) Rs5500. Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATAII Rs3750 Cabinet looks great. Sony DRU 820A would be a better choice. Also add the speakers cost.
punjab234 | Moga | 12/01/07 05:59 PM | Report abuse Reply
In place of the Windoze Media Center OS, one could also use this--> GeexBox (http://geexbox.org/en/index.html). More Stable (no more viruses wrecking your HT experience) and is Zero-Cost!
Shiv | New Delhi | 01/02/07 07:03 PM | Report abuse
I did't understand 1 point here, what about monitor, they have not mentioned about the monitor and no comments have been made regarding this, is it not necessary?.
srini1973 | chennai | 25/01/07 03:25 PM | Report abuse Reply
wudnt you say there is a lot of difference between the mid end httpc and the low end httpc????
dgvijay | delhi | 21/01/07 09:11 PM | Report abuse Reply
Now we have either CAS with a STB or DTH receivers. Which card do you have to use in place of the TV tuner card?
pnreddy | hyderabad | 14/01/07 08:25 PM | Report abuse Reply
I suggest U can use a PCIE AGP card like I use a ATI x600 which comes around Rs.3700/- and includes a AV in/out with composite & S-video, as the CAS box has a AV out you can connect it directly to PC & use the existing CAS/DTH remote..
girish | Aurangabad (M.S) | 20/01/07 06:52 AM | Report abuse
the input devices like the key boad mouse and the reomte control are un wanted addition to the cost, thought the tv tuner card will provide you with a remote controler.
Kartik Beemsing | Chennai | 16/01/07 05:23 PM | Report abuse Reply
This article talks about using Linux as the OS. But does the Compro TV Tuner card support Linux? I checked their web site and found that only Windows support is mentioned...
Ravi | Chennai | 16/01/07 02:10 PM | Report abuse Reply
But if we go for the Cooler Master Media 260 cabinet and with it Win Tv Pvr-150 Mce Tv tuner card the performance will be good enough to complete our need and plus it gets the remote control with the chassis
Saudagar | Mumbai | 16/01/07 01:28 PM | Report abuse Reply
Add 2.5k more in ur budget and buy AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750)
punjab234 | Moga | 12/01/07 11:47 PM | Report abuse Reply
There is no such AMD X2 3600+ available......lowest in X2(dual core) series is 3800+
VIRAJ | Delhi | 13/01/07 08:54 PM | Report abuse
Dude, who said theres no X2 3600+ This has been introduced by AMD to counter the price offensive of the Intels. They have cut the L2 cache of each core of the X2 3800+ in half and slashed the price. The cut in performance is not much compared to the cut in price.....a good alternative to the X2 3800+
komato | Blore | 16/01/07 10:29 AM | Report abuse
There is an interesting link for those who want seamless connectivity option to their Home theater and PC. http://www.dlink.co.in/dlink/Products/Digital/dsm-320.htm This is a really nice product but its a lil bit costly( ZDnet says its for 15000/-)
Ashish | Lucknow | 16/01/07 09:09 AM | Report abuse Reply
Big NO to the TV tuner recommended. Ive been doing some research on TV tuners and have found other after market products that are better priced and give better value, its just the generic buyer doesnt know about it.
MaxAxe | Chennai | 12/01/07 08:34 PM | Report abuse Reply
could u suggest some as i need to buy one.
bhavneet | new bombay | 13/01/07 03:19 AM | Report abuse
The tuner card mentioned in this article is not MCE supported. So watch out if you are building an XP MCE 2005 based PC. Best bet is to buy the "Media Center upgrade kit" from Microsoft retailers. It comes with XP MCE 2005 OS, an MCE certified tuner (Hauppauge 150 PVR), MCE remote and receiver. The list of retailers is available in Microsoft India website.
Jaganath | Bamgalore | 15/01/07 03:09 PM | Report abuse
The best solution for th HTPC is go for (Hauppauge MCE 150 PVR),its easily available and try to go for the chassis with remote control (Cooler Master Media 260) compare it
rahanazgar | Pune | 15/01/07 05:05 PM | Report abuse
hey..!! u did'nt include the monitor in it...?? why????
Gaurav Mathur | Delhi | 13/01/07 12:49 PM | Report abuse Reply
Because its a HTPC i.e. Home Theatre PC where the output will be to a HT device lets say a large size 29" TV, Plasma, or a Projector. And since u would sit a bit far from the TV hence the KBD and mouse are wireless.
Suraj Kumar | New Delhi | 15/01/07 03:22 PM | Report abuse
he is about to vomit his knowledge... move away guys... vijayshimla... the red carpet is waiting for you...
shimlawala | Shimla | 15/01/07 12:25 PM | Report abuse Reply
Dear Punit, Excellent article. It has been picked up by PVR Wire http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/
pnreddy | hyderabad | 14/01/07 08:47 PM | Report abuse Reply
Good review but I think everyone should have this remote. www.Soundgraph.com. Imon remote. Just for the record, I brought Themaltake case with Imon LCD. Loved it so much I brought the Imon Knob for the PC I have in the bed room, so that when me and the mrs feel lazy, we can control all aspects of the PC from the remote including mouse movements. Check it out. Hope this helps...
Sash | sydney | 14/01/07 07:17 PM | Report abuse Reply
Dear folks, I am new to this forum. could you please tell where I can get it? I am in nagpur you all know. Thanks in advance. with best wishes.
siruvan | nagpur | 14/01/07 06:25 PM | Report abuse Reply
? about HDD, SMPS, Console, I/O Devices Pl give out the base line.
Rags | Gurgaon | 14/01/07 02:06 PM | Report abuse Reply
It is very nice. I really like the idea of HTPC. I hope soon it will catch up in india.
Vivek Sood | Gurgoan | 14/01/07 05:05 AM | Report abuse Reply
What about the LG 18X DVD-RW it costs only 1800.
aamiracle | Mumbai | 13/01/07 10:35 PM | Report abuse Reply
i wud strongly suggest a 250gb instead of a 160gb especailly considering the amount of space media takes and also in the [b]hope[/b] of asli broadband coming in the near future..
some_cap | Bangalore | 13/01/07 03:35 PM | Report abuse Reply
what a shit review u can get a dual core intel 820 processor, budget 1650 pro graphic card and as rock dvi 945 conroe which simply outperforms some of the best bdget config
HUH | Delhi | 13/01/07 11:41 AM | Report abuse Reply
This is a HTPC (read - Home Theatre PC) and not a gaming rig. Get the point smarty pants
Rahul | Mumbai | 13/01/07 12:45 PM | Report abuse
sounds cool..but will i be able to connect it to my sony 29" wega..coz its 4 yrs old with only av in/out??
Ashish | Kochi | 13/01/07 01:32 AM | Report abuse Reply
LoL Is there a need to mention that u have a 29" Sony Wega. No big deal we all have them. Hasnt he mentioned the mobo has a built in GeForce 6150 accelerator. Itll generate signal in S-video and Composite. Otherwise wats the point of buildin a HT pc without video output. and u thoutht output was HDTV!!! Duh!!!
Pred8er | Mumbai | 13/01/07 10:47 AM | Report abuse
Is the sound card intel Azalia standard compliant / is suitable for 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup?
Suresh | Hyderabad | 13/01/07 08:11 AM | Report abuse Reply
Great Configuration Punit! But you I am sure you'd agree that a set of good speakers are integral part of a HTPC config. You missed it. IMHO, I believe Logitech Z series speakers gives you Bang for your money and they are THX certified too!
Nilesh Sawkare | Mumbai | 13/01/07 01:04 AM | Report abuse Reply
Wow !!! Cool.
Rockman | Rockville | 12/01/07 11:25 PM | Report abuse Reply
Very sensible review...nicely done.
Ameya Sohoni | Mumbai | 12/01/07 10:01 PM | Report abuse Reply
Add 2.5k more in ur budget and buy AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750)
punjab234 | Moga | 12/01/07 07:18 PM | Report abuse Reply
By extending budget by 2.5k one can buy AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750)
punjab234 | Moga | 12/01/07 06:04 PM | Report abuse Reply