off the shelf and custom build htpc

[mjnagpal]

hello all,

i am new here and have been reading these forums for quite a while. i have been wanting to buy a new htpc for quite some time. i have been looking at the off the shelf HP pc.

the custom build HP pc is $2200.00 while building a similar sort of htpc comes to pretty much the same amount. the overview of HP media center pc is:

Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz HT
512 Ram (Upgradable to 4 GB)
256 MB ATI nVidia Card
Dual TV Tuner card
160 GB Hard Drive
Wireless LAN
Tower PC
mce with wireless keyboard and remote
silver tower case
(i am sorry i don't remember the model number)

Please advice if I should spend time buying things seperately and building it together or should I just go for a pre build pc.

Also can anyone please advice me on speakers as well. Looks like I will have to buy seperate speakers.

[simbot82]

My custom built (more powerful than any Pre built) AMD system has a 6600gt, an AN8 Ultra Mobo, a Venice Core 64bit 3000+ CPU, 1 gig of RAM and a Sata 2 250g hardrive all in an ANTEc plusview case for less than $1000. THrow in a couple of tuners and MCE and you are still looking at saving at least $500-$600.


DIY, we will help you here all the way

[schmeg]

Originally Posted by simbot82

DIY, we will help you here all the way

Yeah, half the fun is trying to make it work yourself, learning along the way!

Also, making a customised system means you can have it how you want it (eg. decent graphics card if you want to play games, replace fans if you want it a bit quieter etc)

Also remember that HP et al use relatively generic/cheap components to keep the cost down and make it easier to assemble and install, so you're not necessarily getting the best components (especially with soundcards, graphics etc).

With speakers, I'd go for something like the Logitech Z-5300 or Z-5500 (or if you want something cheap, but still surround, get the X-530's). I'd also get an X-Mystique sound card so that the stereo TV is upmixed to Dolby Live (surround).

[bella]

And this: who is going to help with the off the shelf product if something goes wrong with it? The salesperson?

You are better off with custom built from a decent system builder.

Good luck!

[schmeg]

Originally Posted by bella

And this: who is going to help with the off the shelf product if something goes wrong with it? The salesperson?

lol @ harvey norman etc salespeople

ahem: sorry if anyone here actually is such a salesperson, if you are you're doing better than most of them

[mjnagpal]

i definitely agree on those point but i have been unable to fine a proper specs which can fit under my budget. it looks like the more you spend on your htpc setup the less it is.

can you please give me some links to the website where i can buy the hardware. I have tried swap meets here in melbourne and other online shops like auspcmarket and umart.

which online/offline retailers would you suggest buying stuff from?

Thanks for all the help.

[simbot82]

NObody here works for harvey norman, we know what a computer looks like from the inside.

"Oh yeah mate you can listen to the radio, watch HD TV and DVDs straight out of the box, for ONly a $1000 more than what you could build it for with better parts" Quote Unquote

[simbot82]

Altech are pretty competitive.

Your best bet is to use staticice.com.au, input the otherboard you have/had your eye on and it will give you the prices listed across australia, find the best price in your area and you can even get your fav PC shop to drop their price by showing them your search results.

Try using all Nvidia. I would suggest an AMD based system 3000+ (this baby has huge overclock potential) with at least a 6000 series Nvidia Graphics card, an nforce4 socket 939 mobo (get ready for vista with this lot)possibly an AN8 Ultra mobo (i use this one, comes with sata 2 (4 ports), gigabit lan, Spdif in and out and cool and quiet technology)