The Media Elite
Last refreshed: October 12th, 2015. Version 4.4, latest revision by /u/PonkyBreaksYourPC . Provide feedback here.
About
This HTPC is essentially a next-gen console with more versatility. The GPU in this build is capable of performing on-par with the current generation of gaming consoles, and the CPU is more than powerful enough to handle current-gen games without bottlenecking the GPU. You can expect to game at the same framerates, resolutions, and graphical fidelity as the PS4 or XBoxOne, but you will pay nearly $100 less for the privilege. With SteamOS nearing its full release and the advent of mainstream Linux gaming approaching, you won't even need to pay for your gaming Operating System. Hook this up to the TV, sit down with your console controller of choice, a new Steam controller (coming soon™), or any number ofcustom USB gamepads, and enjoy console-quality living room gaming with cheaper games... and now a cheaper, more versatile machine... which also has 2x the storage space.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
TypeItemPriceCPUAMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor$69.99 @ NCIX USMotherboardASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard$52.38 @ NeweggMemoryPanram Falcon 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory$17.99 @ NeweggStorageSeagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive$45.89 @ OutletPCVideo CardPowerColor Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card$82.98 @ NeweggCaseNZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case$38.99 @ SuperBiizPower SupplyEVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply$23.98 @ NeweggPrices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discountsTotal (before mail-in rebates)$377.20Mail-in rebates-$45.00Total$332.20*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteriaGenerated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-12 16:43 EDT-0400