[NotoTIP]

*EDIT: Final product: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FuDA*

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Fkrg

After all the discounts and such it comes to 408.93 + $3.99 shipping. My ideal budget was <$400, but I can splurge the extra $15..

I want the PC to be compact and out of the way. I will be using it mostly for streaming, media, a light use server, and low-end games like DOTA 2.

I chose the WD 1.5TB because it's $65 on newegg right now. I'm not doing dual channel memory because I may want to throw in another stick and I want to see the clearance of the cooler and the slots. From what I read the difference in speed is pretty negligible, but for the Trinity graphics it is important to have higher clocked RAM (hence the 1866). The AMD A-series seemed like the most bang for your buck and on the GPU side is much faster than Intel HD. I am unsure whether I really need to go for the quadcore, but the bump in graphics capabilities for games and the fact that I will be running a server in the background convinced me to do so. I've also never had a quadcore

.

I'm not planning on OCing now, but down the road probably will when I have some cash to buy a low profile cooler. I was looking at the Cooler Master GeminII for that.

This is my first build in a while, and the last PC I built for my parents HTPC did not come out as I would have liked (granted it was limited due to parts already bought by my stepdad), so any input is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[thepoopscooper]

if you are going to go trinity, the iGPU needs dual graphics if you want it to perform well

 

[NotoTIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepoopscooper

if you are going to go trinity, the iGPU needs dual graphics if you want it to perform well

I assumed that was more for higher end gaming at 1080p than watching blu rays and such.

 

[ACM]

I recently did my HTPC/Mini Gamer, here's my part list if it helps.
Best to look for some good combo deals & save some $$$.

I went 1155 because I like to have the upgradeability to other Intel CPUs.
I also wanted a dedicated GPU & case that can handle a dual slot cooler so if I wanted to upgrade later on.

CPU: Intel Pentium G630 Sandy Bridge 2.7GHz
MOBO: ASUS P8H77-I (You could go with a cheaper Mobo but I like having nicer looks & better features)
RAM: G.SKILL NS Series 4GB 1600MHz
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6670 1GB
PSU: COOLER MASTER Elite 460
CASE: COOLER MASTER Elite 120
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM

I waited for combo deals & rebates between the items & it came out below $400.00, since I have shop runner i got free 2 day shipping on everything but the case.

I currently use the HSF that came the Intel CPU and they improved the cooler way more from when I had a 775 Intel HSF (a lot quieter).

 

[NotoTIP]

So I was searching around on Newegg for a while and ended up getting this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ft7N

It came to $350 total, as opposed to 410. I went with the older FM1 socket, and DDR3 1600, but the mobo/cpu combo and the 15% off the RAM was a sweet deal. I also got the Kingston SSD since it was on sale as well and I'm not looking for "lightning" speeds. I think for my purposes this machine should fly!

 

[thepoopscooper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoTIP

So I was searching around on Newegg for a while and ended up getting this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ft7N

It came to $350 total, as opposed to 410. I went with the older FM1 socket, and DDR3 1600, but the mobo/cpu combo and the 15% off the RAM was a sweet deal. I also got the Kingston SSD since it was on sale as well and I'm not looking for "lightning" speeds. I think for my purposes this machine should fly!

you really should have gone with dual channel memory for the increased bandwidth...

 

[NotoTIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepoopscooper

you really should have gone with dual channel memory for the increased bandwidth...

I will probably add another stick in a month or so, I just want to see how it runs as is.

 

[NotoTIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoTIP

I will probably add another stick in a month or so, I just want to see how it runs as is.

On your recommendation I swapped the RAM out for 2x4gb DDR3 1866 G.SKILL Sniper Series. I googled it a bit and dual channel seemed to make a huge difference, and the Sniper Series claims to be designed for Llano.

This is what the whole thing ended up being: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FuDA