Mid-Range HTPC :(Last updated : January 21, 2010)
| Hardware | Component | Price | |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 860 | $279.99 | check prices |
| Motherboard | ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i | $209.99 | check prices |
| Memory | G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB DDR3 1600 | $94.99 | check prices |
| Video Card | SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 | $259.99 | check prices |
| TV Tuner | DIAMOND ATI Theater HD 750 USB 2.0 | $54.99 | check prices |
| Hard Drive | SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB | $79.99 | check prices |
| Optical Drive | LG CH08LS10 Blu-ray/DVD combo drive | $99.99 | check prices |
| Case | ThermalTake Bach | $109.99 | check prices |
| Power Supply | Thermaltake Toughpower XT W0229RU | $99.99 | check prices |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Logitech MX 3200 Cordless Desktop | $65.00 | check prices |
Component Info and Reviews :
Intel Core i7 860
Intel Core i7 860 quad core processor has a frequency of 2.8GHz and 8MB of L3 Cache. This processor features Intel Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technologies and has a TDP of 95W.
Reviews : bit-tech.net, PC Perspective
ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i
ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i is the first motherboard in the "TUF" (The Ultimate Force) Series. The TUF Series is specially developed to meet the heavy computing demands of power users and perform well even under extreme conditions. TUF Series motherboards have undergone a more stringent testing program than what most motherboard producers currently undertake. Solidly constructed and equipped with resilient components that have passed demanding military-style testing, the TUF Series triumphs over the harshest operating conditions to deliver robust performance. For example, all its capacitors have undergone thermal shock tests to ensure continuous, stable operations during rapid temperature changes in the 60°C range. In fact, all its capacitors and VRM MOSFETs have been certified for military-level use through stringent testing.
The ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i motherboard, equipped with the new CeraM!X heatsink, delivers exceptional cooling to active components and uncompromising system stability even under intense operating conditions. With its advanced ceramics-based composition—commonly used in the aerospace industry for heat insulation—the heatsink dissipates heat rapidly to achieve ultimate cooling. Ceramics replace traditional anti-oxidant compounds to create a microfin surface texture for enhanced cooling. This rough surface offers an expanded area for heat induction into the surrounding air. As a result, more heat is rapidly conducted away from the active system.
As optimal memory operation relies on good cooling, the SABERTOOTH 55i motherboard includes the CoolMem! Fan Frame that encloses most standard 40mm or 50mm computer fans and fits them directly over the memory module. Users thus gain an affordable cooling solution that significantly stabilizes memory operation.
The SABERTOOTH 55i motherboard delivers E.S.P. (Efficient Switching Power) to all major components for superb system efficiency. Besides delivering efficient power to the CPU and memory, the power design also applies the same level of efficient power to the PCIe x16 expansion slots and IC. This improves overall power efficiency and reduces the amount of heat generated—resulting in cooler and more reliable operations. Additionally, the E.S.P. converts power at 90% efficiency.
Reviews : Trusted Reviews, OC3D
G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB DDR3 1600
G.Skill Ripjaw Gaming Series Memory is designed to optimised the high performance DIMMs for reliability in order to get gamers consistently fantastic FPS, while maintaining a solid overclock to prevent a mid-game PC failure from memory errors.
G.Skill Ripjaws Gaming Series Memory features the latest heatspreader design for the ultimate in extreme aesthetics and sleek aluminium cooling.
SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850
ATI Radeon™ HD 5800 Series graphics processors support Microsoft DirectX® 11 and ATI Eyefinity Technology which maximizes field of view across up to three displays. The ATI Radeon HD 5850 has a core clock of 725MHz, 1440 Stream Processing Units, and 1GB of GDDR5 memory that operates at 1000MHz (4.0Gbps).
Reviews : TweakTown
DIAMOND ATI Theater HD 750 USB 2.0
With HD 750 PC TV chip your Media Center PC is complete with live HDTV (where applicable). Bring it all together for a true all-in-one rich media experience and expand your digital entertainment capabilities –at home or on-the-go. Easily capture and convert recorded TV shows directly to your mobile device and take it with you for TV on-the-go.
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
The Samsung Spinpoint F3 operates at 7200RPM and with this offering being 1TB of data storage capacity using just two 500GB per platter disks it offers suberb speeds. As well as meeting datacentre requirements for addition storage to meet rising demand and increasing performance needs, the new drives also deliver high-performance with lower power for desktop computers and servers.
This Samsung Spinpoint drive offers a superior combination of density, recording quality and reliability. It also features Samsung's industry-leading NoiseGuard and SilentSeek‚ technologies to eliminate acoustic noise. Servers, high-end desktops, RAID systems and DVRs are among the applications well suited to the Spinpoint drive.
Reviews: bit-tech.net
LG CH08LS10 Blu-ray/DVD combo drive
The LG CH08LS10 Blu-ray/DVD combo drive gives you single and dual-layer Blu-ray Disc playback, along with DVD and CD writing. Dual-layer DVD burning allows you to store 8.5 GB of data on a single DVD. You get 40X CD-R and 24X CD-RW recording too.
The included LG software will help you get started and burn all the media you need. LG thought of everything you'll need to make the most out of your disc-based media and enjoy high definition Blu-ray Disc playback!
ThermalTake Bach
ThermalTake Bach is a stylish HTPC case that features Aluminum Bezel and 8 bays.
Reviews : Overclocker Cafe
Thermaltake Toughpower XT W0229RU
Toughpower XT's Premium features such as FanDelayCool and S.P.T. Status Indicator give the users all-round control and visibility into the power supply’s performance and reliability.
Proper airflow within computer system plays an extremely important role in making sure CPU, Graphic Card(s), Hard Drives and other critical components are getting adequate cooling. Thermaltake Cable Management Technology allows users to only use the cables needed from the power supply that reduces amount of cable clutter within the computer to improve cooling and reduce system noise.
Reviews : Tweak News
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200
The Cordless Desktop MX3200 works with Windows Vista to make it easy to access advanced features such as Dynamic Search and DocFlip. The high resolution laser mouse enables ultra-precise navigation. Convenient one-touch controls allows for easy Internet call management. An integrated soft-touch palm rest provides extra support for your wrists and can help reduce fatigue. Additionally, the straight-keyboard layout, featuring Zero-Degree Tilt, offers an extremely comfortable and natural typing experience, the sculpted design of the mouse fits comfortably in your hand. The keyboard also features programmable hot-keys so you can instantly open applications, games, folders, or web pages. Dedicated search buttons help you find files faster. Both the keyboard and mouse incorporate AgION antimicrobial compound, thus providing protection against and preventing the growth of a broad range of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Finally, with Logitech SecureConnect technology, your keyboard and mouse are pre-connected to the receiver to ensure hassle-free set-up and secure keyboard encryption right out of the box. The plug-and-play USB mini receiver provides added convenience for notebook computers.
Reviews :
