Custom built or Dell Slimline for HTPC

chakoo

Hi all

I want to setup a htpc (around $500) for hd playback for movies, hulu etc and do some browsing on it. I wouldn't play any games on it and BD is not necessary. I've ps3 which takes care of them both. I'll eventually convert it into a media server for my photos, movies etc and hook it up to Samsung 40 lcd tv.

I found a guy who is selling his custom built htpc for $450. He said he paid 1045 for this setup. Configuration is

Case: APEX MI-008 Super Case
Mobo: Intel DG45FC Board
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
RAM: Patriot Memory 4gig (2*2gig)
LG Blue Ray DVD
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB
OS: MS Vista Ultimate 64 & 32 Bit + MS Office Home and Student 2007
USB 2 Port Rear Bracket

It looks solid for hd playback. I'm not sure what cooling system and heat sink he used for it. I'll ask him when I visit him tomm.

Dell outlet has some competitively priced slim desktops. I found a refurb item for $509. Intel Core 2 Q3800 + 6 GB RAM + 500 GB HDD + Windows 7 Home Premium + DVD drive. I'm not sure about dell's mobo and graphic card. Dell takes more room to fit it in tv stand.

Which way should I go? Though I built my own htpc with above config, it is gonna cost more than 500.

Thanks
Chakoo

nguyendot

His setup isn't horrible.... especially with bluray for that price. Cheapest blu-ray drive generally hovers from 90 to 150 by itself.
I would dump the OS however, Vista is heavily bloated. Windows 7 is way better for media center from my usage.

Check out the Dell Zino HD. I like it and might try one out for media pc. I like the form factor and that it uses a full sized HDD so I can easily and cheaply upgrade it. It also utilizes the AMD "e" series of cpus which from what I've read are the best in terms of power consumption for media center. They handle HD 1080 very well too.

chakoo

I like Zino HD form factor. I'm not quite sure if I want to go with AMD processors. Configured zino with AMD Dual Core 3250e + Win 7 + 3 GB RAM + 320 GB + ATI 512MB VC + DVD RW + Wireless N Card + Sound card came upto $600. I'll read reviews on this.

I'm still inclined to his setup for the money.

Thanks for advice.

nguyendot

His setup is very good. AMD is preferred when it comes to power/performance ratio. They have been proven in real world tests to be more power efficient for the same performance, that's why Dell chose them instead of an intel setup for the Zino.

I like the other guys setup because for the price it comes with blu-ray, usually a rather expensive option on a new built pc.

chakoo

Thanks nguyendot. I'm seeing this setup on saturday, let you know how it goes. Im excited to hook up htpc to lcd tv. I couldn't play vevo.com videos through ps3. I tried installing flash player on it, but in vain.

Did you order zino hd? You might have already checked this. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1170527 They have some useful info on it. Long running thread though.

chakoo

I bought his htpc system. It is only a month old, looks brand new. It worked perfectly at his home. When I hooked it up to my lcd tv, it ran for about 10min and after that it took the whole power down in my apartment. I reset the circuit breaker, removed tv from power outlet and tried turning on only htpc. Again circuit tripped. It should be some electric problem. I need to sort it out by calling an electrician.

bigaudiofanatic

I would go with the custom built one.

chakoo

It came with Roxio Creator 10, the guy told it costed him $150. Roxio cine player didn't play Planet Earth BD, later realised it doesnt support BD playback and it is not problem with LG BD drive. So far happy with the purchase, still need to fix circuit breaker tripping issue.

MANSKITO

OEM vs custom, Custom computers rule the day every day.

MY specs:

3.0 quad core OC to 3.8
4 gigs 1066 ram
1 TB 7200.12
ATI 4890 1 gig

Total coast $800

If you try and buy that kind of build form dell HP gateway etc.... you will spend a 2 times as much if not more. Don't waste your time with OEMS they suck **** build your self a REAL computer.

This is how you do it for n00bs
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_build_awesome_pc_647