The HTPC build is powered by the AMD A6-5400K. This machine doesn’t require much processing power so the APU hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance. The motherboard in this build is the Asus A68HM-Plus. To ensure maximum compatibility with the case, having a motherboard with a front panel USB3.0 header was a must. With no dedicated graphics card in this build, a motherboard with an HDMI port was a requirement to transfer both audio and video to the screen without the need for adapters. Should you choose to add a TV Tuner card, you will find a PCIE x16 slot to accommodate nearly all potential form factors currently available.

As this is a budget build, and an HTPC, the memory requirement is fairly low – the part list parametrically selects the best deal on a single 4GB stick of DDR3 RAM. Using a single DIMM instead of 2x2GB sticks makes upgrading the memory more cost effective in the long run. The storage choice is also based on parametric selection criteria – 1TB and 7200rpm are our standard recommendations for builds that incorporate a mechanical drive.

The Silverstone ML03B is a gorgeous HTPC case that fits right into the décor of most home entertainment systems, while providing all sorts of features at an amazing price. Powering the system is an EVGA 430W power supply. While this HTPC only uses around 100W at full load, the deal on this PSU is simply too good to pass up. Finally, the part list includes a parametric filter for the lowest priced blu ray drive.