HTPC - suggestions for prebuilt

[bob smith]

Hi All:
I'm new here and would really appreciate some help in selecting a prebuilt HTPC. I've been looking at forums and reviews for too long - time to take el plunge. I'm a literate computer user, but make my living as a chemist; electronics isn't the biggest thing in my day. I didn't build my laptop, TV, AVR or much of anything else so won't start now. Money isn't a main concern, nice if the price for everything is about US$1,200. + tax/ship/etc. I'm into obscure bootlegs and movies that aren't around netflix or itunes, so my main use for this htpc is streaming/downloading from various internet sites. I've been looking for some time at Asrock's VisioinX series (now up to 323b) which seems like it's got lots of connections, speed, reasonable storage, etc. I'd likely add a ss drive, external hdd and some extra ram, plus 64-bit windows 7. My 7.1 system works great using Onkyo tx-nr809, B&W, SAE, Rega. So please, any of you who have gone prebuilt and are really satisfied, I'd like your recommendations. PS, anybody tried Asrock? All replies greatly appreciated.
Best, Bob

 

[Grador]

I've got no personal experience with Asrock products but have heard mostly good things. The specs on that unit look like they are likely sufficient for your needs. If I had one gripe it would be that the processor may be a touch slow. It does quite nice, but you should be aware that you are paying for it. This unit is fairly expensive for what's in it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

ASRock used to be fully owned subsidiary of ASUSTek, but now fully spun off and competing with them in all ranges, but the most top, where Asus brand still dominates
I own ASRock pc motherboard and quite happy with it
Here is a long discussions about who own's who:
ASRock and ASUS: Mythbust - techPowerUp! Forums

I think of ASRock products is usually good value, but yet this bare-bones - Newegg.com - ASRock VisionX 323B Intel Core i5-3230M Mobile Ivy Bridge Processor Intel HM77 AMD Mobility Radeon HD7850M GPU 1 x HDMI Remote Control Barebone seems a bit too expensive to me as it lacks both memory and storage at that price.

 

[bob smith]

Thanks for this. Price is always mentioned but diy plans wind up costing maybe 700 anyway before OS and units made by Assassin cost about the same or more depending on config. Any suggestions for minimum processor specs?

 

[bob smith]

I read that link but man it made my head hurt, everybody was so worked up about the history of who owned who. What it would mean to me is the question of how good would Asrock tech support be for an assembled computer - they seem to be in the component business. And what few user reviews are on the net indicate some problems with overheating, black screens now and then, etc. This thing needs to work as well as does my laptop (ASUS btw) Other than Assassin who makes minis? (Don't like Apple products)

 

[jinjuku]

Zotac and Foxconn make set top sized systems. Look for something with a Radeon 5XXX or 6XXX GPU in it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Custom built HTPC doesn't have to cost 700 before os:
Here's by humble build:
Intel Pentium G2120, Asus Radeon HD 6450, HEC 7K09BBA30FNRX - System Build - PCPartPicker
For OS, free Ubuntu/Mint already got to sufficient level of usability imho

But you want it a bit easier there is another way: Just get this ready pc:
Newegg.com - Acer Veriton Pentium 4GB DDR3 500GB HDD Capacity No Screen Desktop PC Windows 8 Pro 64-bit VX2611G-UG2020X (DT.VF6AA.005)
Downgrade the os to Win 7 pro
add this video card:
ASUS EAH6450 Silent/DI/1GD3(LP) Radeon HD 6450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - Newegg.com

and get this wireless keyboard/remote:
MacMall | Lenovo Multimedia Remote with backlit keyboard N5902 - Backlit keyboard - wireless - 2.4 GHz - Integrated trackball - USB wireless receiver 57Y6678

 

[ratso]

i got one of the alienware x-51's. i wouldn't recommend it as a gaming rig, but it's a great small htpc. assassin htpc can also build you a rig to whatever specs you need.

 

[jp_over]

Custom and stellar support (we've had an Echo II now for a couple of years as our HTPC):

http://www.pugetsystems.com/nav/echo/II_Intel/specs.php

http://www.pugetsystems.com/

 

[arkight]

Alienware $700 to start add on what you want. I3 is plenty good for HTPC.

Alienware X51 Gaming Desktop | Dell

I thought he didnt want to build it have it already for him.

 

[ratso]

that's what i got. cheap, quiet and small. works awesome.