Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Gadgets & Tech Help building the cheapest ATX PC Possible...

I want to build an ITX/ATX pc that is capable of running 1080p on XBMC.

Im setting myself a budget of £100 and want to source the cheapest bits possible. I have no problems using second hand parts and its only going to be used for playing mkv vids from a HDD.

I already have a 1tb HDD and 2.5" optical drive to go into it.

Must haves:

2gb RAM Minimum
1.3 Dual Core Minimum
HDMI / DVI out
Small form factor case OR a case that looks like a normal DVD player. I would also consider hacking up an existing DVD player and fitting the computer inside that but would need assistance with that.

Thats it.

I need a Case, PSU, CPU, GPU, RAM and Wiring etc.

Rather than tell me it cant be done, can anyone suggest where I can start sourcing second hand bits for this project.

Yes, I know about raspberry pi but have doubts ill ever get one. Been on the waiting list for months.

Any advice would be great!

Have a look at the second hand Dell Optiplex base units on ebay.

However, DVI/HDMI will likely require the addition of a graphics card so make sure you budget for that. Just make sure you get the correct bus type...

Any recommendations on a cheap HD gfx card for this system?

Just looked it up. I dont want a tower type, needs to look reasonably good in the living room...

Something like this would be great.

http://www.envizage.com/products/cs...b-black-mini-itx-case-with-300w-psu.html

You'll never make a box with those specs for a hundred quid.

I have priced most elements up and gotten it to £120. I can easily get this to £100 buying second hand.

Dont be a negative nelly.

"its only going to be used for playing mkv vids from a HDD"

Then a better option is not a PC but a media streamer such as a WDTV live. You can pick one up from £30 to £80 depending on make and model. Then just get a USB external adapter for your HDD for about £20. You can then play videos through your TV from your HDD and you get a remote.

I want to use XBMC as the built in Media Softwares are rubbish.

XBMC is great, used it on a few builds.

You've priced a decent graphics card with at least 512mb ddr3 for the decoding? And it fit in with a full build of mobo/cpu/ram/psu/case/accessories (like fans - presumably you want silent sharkoon fans or something?)?

More power to you if you managed it, but I'd be amazed if you can get stuff that cheap.

Presumably your tv doesn't have a usb port? Cause if so you can slap firmware on an external drive and set the tv to play the drive like it's a dvd.

May not help but I bought a Sony network media player from Asda Ellesmere Port for £50 ,I have a usb drive tagged on to the end and it works fine, video, HDMI, component etc works for what I require but there is a server on the go £200 with £100 back and you put a Microsoft home server software in it.

ITX case with 250W PSU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/205560
MSI H61 ITX mobo: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/349713
Intel Celeron G530: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/281424
2GB Corsair DDR3 1333: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/178942
Total: £111.66 delivered

You might get cheaper on ebay, but keep an eye on postage costs.
The Optiplexes come in both tower and desktop format.

I got the whole thing working for about £90. Went with the optiplex USFF barebones (Just case, fans, power, mb and onboard gpu) for £35 second hand and put a 1tb HDD and 2gb ram in it. Got a second hand CoreDuo 2ghz for £30 from my mate. Plays 1080p without a hitch.

Ive sprayed the case a nice bright red colour to match the couch/decor of the room and put a red ambient light behind the TV. Looks fooking awesome ha ha.

I cheated a little by buying a barebones system, but im very pleased with the results.

Just need to buy a wireless adapted, but there is no PCI slot so will have to go via the less desirable USB route.

Im happy for now though and need to get the right software on it.

Thanks for the assistance.

I've got a working HP dx2000mt for £20. It's a Celeron 2.6 with 1Gb of RAM.

There are currently loads of PI's available. I got mine from here http://downloads.element14.com/raspberryPi1.html?COM=raspi-group

These are the folks that have set up a deal with Sony to build them, current capacity is 10k per month.

I have 3 of them, 1 running PIMBC (PI's own version of XMBC) and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Failing that checkout http://www.computerplus.uk.com they are based in liverpool and have some very good prices on all sorts of things. I find them just as cheap as most online stores with no need to wait on delivery.

P.S. Im an I.T. Consultant with 29 years in the business so I should know what im talking about

Last date for this thread was 3rd Jun 2012, cheers