I was recently asked to suggest a Desktop PC configuration that would fit well in a HTPC/Entry level PC gaming role.
My previous post explained why this is a bad time to be buying a laptop. If you are planning for a desktop PC, other than the doubled HDD pricing due to floods in Thailand, this is as good a time as any.
Sub 30K Gaming PC/HTPC config:
| CPU | Intel core i3 – 2120 | 7000 | Good enough for the task. |
| Motherboard | ASRock-H61M-DGS 16GB DDR3 | 3000 | Any low priced H61 based motherboard will do. |
| RAM | Transcend or Corsair value RAM 4 GB | 1400 | Performance RAMs like XMS and Vengeance will be bottlenecked on this configuration. |
| HDD | 1 TB Seagate Barracuda | 5200 | Any decent HTPC would need 1 TB HDD, at least. |
| Graphics Card | Zotac GTX 550 Ti | 7800 | A very capable Mid rang graphics card. Any 550 Ti chipset based card will do. |
| SMPS | FPS SAGA II 500W | 2500 | Quite a decent PSU. Never skimp on the power supply. I and many others learnt this the hard way. |
| Case | CM Elite 361 | 2300 | A relatively low profile case for HTPC. You can choose any case you want.(with decent air flow for your graphics card) |
| Keyboard + Mouse | Berklin C400 or Logitech MK 220 | 1200 | Any 2.4Ghz wireless combo will do for a HTPC/Gaming PC hybrid. Serious Gamers will notice latency and should go for wired solutions. |
| Total | 30400 | This is a quote from online prices. Real world prices will be a bit lower. |
To convert this into strictly a HTPC:
Skip the graphics card. As then the GPU built into the die of processor will kick in. But then you can forget about playing any serious games on your PC. This would bring down the cost to Rs 22600. You can then add a graphics card any time you want.
To convert this into strictly a Gaming PC:
Get a wired keyboard + mouse. Otherwise latency will bother you.
For a Gaming PC/HTPC hybrid:
Keep the configuration as is.
