Budget HTPC

[Raiders12]

Greetings all,

I've had the itch lately to finally build a dedicated HTPC for my theater. I've handled all PC duties by my Phenom II X4 build in my sig, but now want something small, efficient, and powerful to handle strictly media.

-My first thought was a cheap micro-atx AMD Dual-core build, had one spec'd for $500 shipped. (AM3 upgrade path and more functionality as opposed to mini-itx)

-Second build spec was for a mini-itx AMD E350 Fusion build, very low power consumption. Had one built for $500 shipped as well.

Basically it came down to how limited I wanted to be and power consumption and what trade offs I wanted to make.

The HTPC will basically replace my PS3 Netflix/Bluray duty, Cox Cable Digital Box, and Western Digital Live player.
The HTPC will be tasked for:

-Bluray, Netlifx, Hulu, etc
-DVD/Bluray archived collection
-DVR capability (Digital Cable)
-Slight, slight gaming
-Windows Media Center functionality/organization

I just ordered my parts last night, and I was going to get on the AMD AM3 Sempron 130 (2.4 Ghz) which would most likely unlock/overclock toa dual core, as it was a AMD II X2 Regor core disabled, for $30. I opted against this, as I later found a Phenom II X3 700e 2.4 Ghz energy efficient model. The X3 has 6MB L3 Cache, which the Smepron or even X2 have 0 of, and operates at 65W. Paid a $40 premium, but I feel like its worth it. The X3 700's can OC like most AMD chips.

HTPC Overview:
1) AMD Phenom II X3 700e , 2.4 Ghz
2) Arctic Cooling 92mm heatsink
3) Biostar A8800GU3 Motherboard
4) Corsair XM3 4GB DDR3 1333
5) Samsung 2TB HDD
6) OCZ Vertex 30GB SSD
7) 430W 80+ Rosewill PSU
8 ) Silverstone HTPC Case, w/ front USB 3.0
9) Samsung 12X bluray
10) Rosewill USB Wireless-N adapter
11) Generic Win MCE remote (USB IR receiver for my Harmony)

Total Price Shipped (NewEgg, Amazon, Tiger Direct)
$550

**Debating on the Ceton InfiniTV 4 CableCARd tuner for $300 or buying a used ATI Digital tuner thats one of the only CableCARD approved devices out there, that will allow you to receive encrypted digital/HD cable.


Now just the parts waiting game!