Need help in making the ultimate budget htpc

[Shan.Cr3w]

Hello guys. This is my first post here, so sorry if I make any mistakes over here.

Now, I want to build an htpc for my room, my budget is not more than 10k as I am planning on salvaging old parts from my desktop
Configuration : dual core pentium 1.6 ghz
2 gb ram ddr2
500 gb hdd.
I won't be using anything apart from these three items.
So my question is what else would I need to build a good htpc which would be able to play and stream 1080p videos.
I don't need a DVD drive but want atleast a single usb 3.0 port
PS:I would love if I could get win 10 running, or atleast win 8.1

 

[saikatbiswas82]

I think your system is good enough for a HTPC. Win 8.1 should not be a problem.

System requirements - Microsoft Windows

I hope your mobo has a pcie slot. To get a USB 3.0 feature, you might need something like this...

Transcend PCI Express Interface USB 3.0 Expansion Card:Amazon:Computers & Accessories

Get a low profile graphics card with hdmi... Like this...

ZOTAC GeForce GT 210 1GB DDR3 Graphic Card:Amazon:Computers & Accessories

I think you will be all set

Please note that the product links are for reference only.

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

I forgot to mention about the space constraints.I have really really less space for my pc so I expect a small form factor.
Can I use a micro itx motherboard and the above parts along with a compatible case?

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

Can I use a raspberry pi instead? I mean it won't be able to run Windows but there are many Linux distros for it. So will it be able to stream, play and cast @ 1080p?

 

[Fantastic]

Did you do a Google search with your question ?
I remember seeing some posts on another forum where guys were discussing about using the Raspberry-pi for such applications.

You will find a huge list about the subject here:
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=u...&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=mcJjVsqoLsL8uATFhpWQCw

 

[ShutterX]

A raspberry Pi with raspbmc would be cheap and good too. It has HDMI so 5.1 audio should work too. Do confirm though. Your old pc can be turned into a media server.

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

Did you do a Google search with your question ?
I remember seeing some posts on another forum where guys were discussing about using the Raspberry-pi for such applications.

You will find a huge list about the subject here:
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=u...&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=mcJjVsqoLsL8uATFhpWQCw

I Googled everything before posting here. But I found that some heavily encoded videos would stutter even on the raspberry Pi 2 so..
No raspberry pi period.

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

Guys will the ps3 or the Xbox 360 will be a better choice than building an htpc.
Coz it will save the hassle of building a rig, plus added advantage of gaming. Which 18 year old teen wouldn't like gaming?

 

[saikatbiswas82]

I Googled everything before posting here. But I found that some heavily encoded videos would stutter even on the raspberry Pi 2 so..
No raspberry pi period.

You are absolutely right. Raspberry pi is not yet there to handle blu ray rips like 30-40 gigs files.
It is not intended to replace a HTPC or PS when movie playback is concerned.

Raspberry pi is fun.

One more aspect - one of the best audio transport IMHO.

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

Ya, I read somewhere that the raspberry pi has very professional sounding audio, and is goon enough a diy project. But my system would be used by my dad too and he prefers things simple so.. An already built media center is needed

 

[regeHA]

Guys will the ps3 or the Xbox 360 will be a better choice than building an htpc.
Coz it will save the hassle of building a rig, plus added advantage of gaming. Which 18 year old teen wouldn't like gaming?

I have both PlayStation (3 and 4) and Xbox One, and both can be used, though the Xbox is a much better media center IMHO.

You can also consider budget Blu-ray players with external HDD for the same.

That said, HTPC will kill them both. For one it is upgradable, throw in a GPU (Nvidia) and you can upscale content to 4K, improve picture quality by leaps and bounds with software like madVR.

PS: I am an avid gamer and while I use both PlayStation and Xbox for their exclusive games, nothing like a PC for FPS and TPS games. Nothing like playing Grand Theft Auto on the PC. Nothing comes close.

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

I said already Space constraints and so I will need a mini or micro itx motherboard so no graphics card upgrade.
And I am settling for a ps3 500 gb!

 

[Shan.Cr3w]

I have both PlayStation (3 and 4) and Xbox One, and both can be used, though the Xbox is a much better media center IMHO.

You can also consider budget Blu-ray players with external HDD for the same.

That said, HTPC will kill them both. For one it is upgradable, throw in a GPU (Nvidia) and you can upscale content to 4K, improve picture quality by leaps and bounds with software like madVR.

PS: I am an avid gamer and while I use both PlayStation and Xbox for their exclusive games, nothing like a PC for FPS and TPS games. Nothing like playing Grand Theft Auto on the PC. Nothing comes close.

And yes Blu ray players I've got a Sony e4100 it's a 3d Blu-ray home theatre system... Its quite slow and the second ones a samsung... Doesn't have wifi so Blu ray doesn't se like quite an option to me

 

[humblebee]

I dont think you can play 1080p videos on this cpu. Still if you want to use these parts then buy
- MB - one of those cheap chinese MBs . Use it till you can and save some money till then for better build next time.
- Elite 361 case by Cooler Master.
- Asus Xonar DG sound card.
- Corsair VS 350 if you dont plan to do proper gaming with gpu in next build. If yes then VS 450.

That should total upto arnd 10k.
Plus last 3 parts can be reused in next build after say 2yrs.

PS3 is a different route altogether. A PC can be used for other tasks like internet & ms-word and many others.

 

[gp_freak]

I dont think you can play 1080p videos on this cpu. Still if you want to use these parts then buy
- Asus Xonar DG sound card.

Yes you can. GT210 a sub 2k card can play 1080p videos and bit stream multichannel audio and GT610, a sub 3K card can play 1080p/3d videos and bit stream multichannel HD audio.

If the thread starter has an AVR, then there is no need for the Sound card.