9 replies to this topic

[litow14]

OK so if you saw my topic post i put up some ideas on my first build. but as i think i about it. It is getting a bit costly. (poor college student working on my masters) Where should i save some money?

I was thinking of getting a cheaper CPU if you go to tigerdirect or newegg or even frys and lookup 1155 chips please tell me how you think i should save. Below are a few of my idea. I am building a WHS/HTPC. so please keep that in mind. I think i should not go less then 2.5 GHz

Intel Pentium G620 2.6 GHz Dual Core $70
Intel Pentium G840 2.8 GHz Dual Core $85
Intel Pentium G860 3.0 GHz Dual Core $95

Hard drive. Well it looks it might take some time for the prices to go back down. http://channelnomics...es-recede-2013/
So whats a good 2TB HDD

[jmwills]

Also consider power consumption when you choose a CPU. What may have a lower initial cost may cost you more to operate.

[no-control]

Go with the G620 should be fine for WHS. For HTPC I would still say use the i3-2100. WD GP 2TB HDD is fine.

[litow14]

maybe i should ask. if you only have $1000 to start with about $200 a month to add each month. What would you do?

Edited by litow14, 18 January 2012 - 08:08 PM.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Have you considered buying an old desktop. I am using an old Dell XPS 420 (see signature) and it has plenty of speed and power to double as a WHS and a HTPC. This route might be your best option if you want to really save some money.

[ikon]

maybe i should ask. if you only have $1000 to start with about $200 a month to add each month. What would you do?

Just to clarify, are you saying you already have $1,000 and then can add $200/month, or are you saying you have a total of $1,000, starting with $200 and going up by $200 each month? $1,000 should be able to build you a pretty good HTPC, especially if you use an 'i' chip with onboard GPU.

[jmwills]

You can build a good one for half that amount.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

You can build a good one for half that amount.

Not with all the drives.

[no-control]

maybe i should ask. if you only have $1000 to start with about $200 a month to add each month. What would you do?

CPU/MOBO/RAM = $150
Case = $50
PSU = $40
2TB HDD = $125 x 2 = $250

Entry level server cost = $500

Additional storage and RAID card $125 x 3 + $100 = $475

Fat little media server $1000

toss in another $50 for WHS2011 and you're golden.

Have you considered buying an old desktop. I am using an old Dell XPS 420 (see signature) and it has plenty of speed and power to double as a WHS and a HTPC.

You're also using it to run WHSv1. Unless he can find an old machine for less than $100 it isn't worth it.

Edited by no-control, 19 January 2012 - 09:38 PM.

[ikon]

CPU/MOBO/RAM = $150
Case = $50
PSU = $40
2TB HDD = $125 x 2 = $250

Entry level server cost = $500

Additional storage and RAID card $125 x 3 + $100 = $475

Fat little media server $1000

toss in another $50 for WHS2011 and you're golden.

Nice summary.