Home theater PCs are a great way to upgrade your home entertainment experience. Not only do they let you watch movies, TV shows, and other videos in high definition, but they can also play games and act as a central hub for all of your digital media devices.
Home theater PCs are designed for living room use, acting as a media hub and streaming your favorite entertainment. Home theater PCs have many of the same components as desktop computers but they’re more compact to fit in with home theaters better.
At a Glance:
Moreover, A home theater PC is a cost-effective way to create an awesome entertainment system in your living room. There are many benefits, including the ability to watch new movies and TV shows as they come out on one of your favorite streaming services like Netflix or Hulu without having to wait for them to be released on DVD. Plus, you can connect other devices such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, or even your mobile phone so that you don’t miss any updates.
However, picking out the right system can be difficult especially with all of the different options available on the market today. In this blog post, we will outline what you need to know before you purchase so that you can find exactly what meets your needs. We’ll also provide a few tips for choosing which HTPC software suits your needs best.
we’re going to talk about how to choose an HTPC and some of the things that are important when making your decision!
- Our Recommendations for Best Home Theater PC
- Corsair CX Series 450
- WD Blue 1TB HDD – WD10EZEX
- Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 Hi
- LG 14x Blu-Ray Burner
- Intel Compute Stick CS125
- Dell OptiPlex 3070 Desktop Computer
- Intel NUC NUC6CAYH Mini PC
- Kingdel NC860 Mini Desktop Computer
- PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Near Field Studio Monitor
- GIGABYTE B365M DS3H Motherboard
- Summary for Best Home Theater PC
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Buying Guide of Best Home Theater PC
- Conclusion
Our Recommendations for Best Home Theater PC
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Corsair CX Series 450
The Corsair VS450 is a low-priced power supply that won’t disappoint. With features like Active PFC, careful design and construction to protect against EMI/RFI interference, voltage regulation circuitry for reliable operation with any output load – the 450Watt unit provides excellent performance at an affordable cost.
This PSU will power every component listed, and with its long cables and two extra PCIe connectors, it is ready to grow with your PC. The 120 mm fan’s cooling capabilities should keep this beast running cool for years of use, while the 3-year warranty can offer peace of mind in case anything goes wrong during that period.
When it comes to basic system builds or upgrading your desktop PC, CX Series Modular power supply units are an excellent choice. These PSUs offer high reliability along with low noise and modular cabling which will give you the flexibility needed for just about any type of build.
The modular cabling system allows for a cleaner-looking build and better airflow, reducing the space taken up by cables. Now you can have an installation that is not only faster but also more aesthetically pleasing.
Pros
- Offer reliability and compatibility.
- Low noise operation.
- It is an affordable PSU.
Cons
- Finite power connections.
WD Blue 1TB HDD – WD10EZEX
If you’re looking for a SATA hard drive that won’t let you down, look no further than the Western Digital 1TB. This tried and true WD product has lightning-fast speeds to help your computer run smoothly without any lag or slowdowns. With plenty of storage space available and increased affordability as well, this is one purchase worth considering today!
The Western Digital WD Blue 1.5TB hard drive is perfect for people looking to save money on a reliable and efficient storage solution. The 64MB cache of this device makes loading speeds drastically better than the other drives with less cache, which means that it’s not only well priced but will also allow you to store all your files at once without any delays!
Acronis True Image WD Edition software, available as a free download on all major computing platforms, can clone drives and back up your operating system. With this program, you have the power to protect yourself from any potential interruptions in productivity by quickly cloning hard disks with Acronis’ powerful disk imaging technology that’s been used for decades.
Pros
- The superiority of hardware design.
- Offers quality performance.
- Easy to install and use.
Cons
- The warranty is not so good.
Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 Hi
The Sound Blaster AE-7 is not just another sound card. With a 127dB signal-to-noise ratio, an ESS SABRE class 9018 DAC and Audio Control Module (ACM) with built-in microphone array and mic/headphone I/O connections plus control knob for headphone levels you will be able to take your audio production skills to the next level!
The AE-7 is the perfect device for any audiophile, delivering a fantastic sound with five discrete channels and a virtual surround. With Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect Encoding up to 7.1 channel support on headphones/speakers, you can enjoy immersive audio from nearly all media including movies, games, and music!
The Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 is a premium sound card that offers 5.1 discrete speakers, 7.1 virtual headphones for surround sounds, and a maximum playback resolution of PCM 32bit/384kHz or DSD 64fs with its powerful Sound Core 3D audio processor and PCIe interface technology which makes it perfect for audiophiles who want an uncompromised listening experience from their computer when they listen to music through the device’s high fidelity speaker system or use wireless earphones such as Beats by Dre Solo2 Wireless Headphones
Pros
- The sound quality is good.
- No distortion even at high volume.
- Ideal for gaming.
Cons
- It is more expensive.
LG 14x Blu-Ray Burner
LG Electronics 14x SATA Blu-ray Internal Rewriter is a highly versatile tool that can take care of most tasks to deliver a is power-packed performance. LG has been trusted by many for electrical appliances, and so it’s no surprise they would come up with this great piece of technology.
Who wants to buy another DVD player or CD player when you can have one that does it all? With this All-in-One Player, your family doesn’t need a stack of various players sitting on the entertainment console. You’ll be able to play any disc format with ease thanks to its versatility and data protection feature which ensures against dust getting in because discs are never left out for long periods!
This device offers a 4MB buffer memory to keep you from losing your information, coupled with a SATA interface for speed and precision. This USB 3.0 burner reaches up 14x when writing BD-R disks which is the highest capacity or professional disc format available on DVD and BluRay discs.
The HD DVD player is the best friend for those who love movies. With this device, you can watch your favorite films in 2D or 3D at home with incredible clarity and quality thanks to several features that enhance playback like M-DISC support and conversion from 2D into 3d.
Pros
- Not required any additional installation software.
- Very versatile.
- Compatible with a wide variety of optical discs.
Cons
- It has reading disc problems.
Intel Compute Stick CS125
The Intel Compute Stick is the perfect home theater PC for those who want a space-saving solution and have an HDMI port on their TV. The tiny computer plugs directly into one of your television’s HDMI ports, or you can use a converter if it won’t fit in there.
The Intel Compute Stick is revolutionary because, unlike other streaming devices with a similar form factor, this tiny home theater PC runs Windows 10. This means you can use it to do anything any other Windows computer would allow for such as install apps and browse the internet;
but what sets the Intel Compute Stick apart from its competitors is its usability in an entertainment setting like connecting your TV or projector! You’ll be able to stream media on this device just fine too without worrying about the lag time that might come with traditional set-ups.
According to Intel, the Compute Stick is perfect for transforming an HDMI TV or monitor into a computer. It can be used as a home theater PC (HTPC), game console emulator, and more!
Pros
- Lightweight and affordable.
- Can be plugged into HDMI ports.
- Installation is very easy.
Cons
- Not allow the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Dell OptiPlex 3070 Desktop Computer
The Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro makes for a stealthy, space-conscious solution to your home theater needs. This compact PC fits into any cabinet you might have and can be mounted easily behind the TV screen with an optional bracket so that its cables will not interfere with the aesthetics of your system. It also comes in several colors–black or white–so it’s easy on both eyes and wallet!
The Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro is perfect for those who want the best of both worlds. The entry-level model provides a balance between performance and affordability, but you can always upgrade to get more power when needed.
With the latest 9th Gen Intel Core processors, you’ll be able to work at full speed. With up to 32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 Memory, your performance will never have been better!
Pros
- Most attractive design.
- More powerful, stability.
- Comes with high performance.
Cons
- It didn’t come with any wireless or Bluetooth capabilities.
Intel NUC NUC6CAYH Mini PC
Intel has always been known for its reliability, and this Mini PC just strengthens that reputation. The Intel Quad-Core J3455 processor is so powerful in such a small system, it can power dual displays with ease while enhancing your video quality on the fly thanks to 4 cores and 2 GHz base frequency.
One of the best features of this Celeron processor is its ability to quickly multi-task. You can watch multiple videos or movies at once without any lag in playback, just press Alt + Tab and you’ll be amazed! The 8GB DDR3 RAM will also give your system a higher level experience with more room for storage as well so that’s another bonus!
This Intel NUC is a step forward in technology from the traditional SSD. This M2 storage has been directly connected to the motherboard, allowing for faster loading and more space with an easy upgrade process via another drive type (SSD or HDD).
The Charley Mini PC is a sleek and minimalistic mini-computer that doesn’t need any fans to keep itself cool. The aluminum body, plastic lid, rubber pads for grip under the case make this machine look high-quality while providing all of the necessary features you would want from your desktop.
Pros
- Easy setup process.
- Offers many connectivity options.
- Commodious storage and memory.
Cons
- Comes with Only 2GB of memory.
Kingdel NC860 Mini Desktop Computer
This mini PC is a powerhouse with an Intel Core i7 10th generation CPU and 4 cores, running Windows 10. It also includes 1 power supply, 1 power cable (for great connectivity), 2 Wi-Fi antennas for the best possible connection to wireless networks your home may offer you; it even comes with a desktop bracket mount so that this could be mounted on any desk in minutes!
It’s the most high-end computer on the market. It has 16GB of RAM and can support external memory up to 512GB, 3 SSD drives for lightning-fast boot times with a max screen resolution at 4096 x 2304 for 4K viewing that will blow your mind!
The Dell XPS 12 has a unique, fan-less design that runs at 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit. It features 4 USB 3.0 ports and 1 HD port for connecting peripherals such as printers or external drives to your laptop’s screen so you can work on them more easily without cluttering up your workspace with peripheral devices all over the place.
This versatile device also comes equipped with 2 Wi-Fi antennas (for use in either of two modes) which make it ideal if there are dead zones where wireless connectivity is spotty!
Pros
- Very powerful and fast processor.
- Solidly constructed, with plenty of ports.
- Very fast CPU and HDD.
Cons
- Not having many USB slots.
PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Near Field Studio Monitor
The PreSonus Eris is a studio monitor that you can use in any space. It’s just the right size for small spaces and comes with excellent sound quality, not to mention an attractive price tag!
The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is a small studio monitor that delivers an excellent balance across all frequencies, and its response is clean and clear without any tinniness to the top end or muddy tones in the mids.
The low-end offers some depth but doesn’t provide enough for those looking to create richer bass sounds through their speakers; however, considering this is just 3 ½ inches of speaker they do offer impressive sound quality at a relatively inexpensive price point!
The Eris monitor speakers offer a lot of value for such an affordable price. They come in sleek, compact designs and are perfect for any small space like dorms or apartments that need some quality sound without taking up too much room.
The Eris E3.5 has a one-inch silk dome tweeter that produces smooth, refined sound and accurately reproduces transients and high frequencies with an expansive listening area or sweet spot so you can move around without missing out on the best features of this speaker!
Pros
- Good build quality.
- Durable MDF material with soft edges.
- Compact and lightweight.
Cons
- The cabinet’s construction quality appears to be below.
GIGABYTE B365M DS3H Motherboard
If you’re looking for a powerful HTPC motherboard that can do it all, then the Intel Core i3-4130 is your best bet. It features four memory slots and supports up to 32GB of 3100 DDR3 RAM–more than enough power for any home theater rig.
This board is perfect for streaming movies and playing your favorite games! The PCIe 3.0 x16 slot can accommodate a high-performance graphics card to play demanding PC games while the six SATA connectors will give you plenty of storage space for all of your media content.
The processors on this motherboard have pretty low power requirements, so you can keep your system running well without creating a lot of noise to cool it down.
This motherboard is the perfect choice for anyone looking to use an Intel 8th and 9th gen CPU. It has plenty of connectivity options and it’s good for overclocking your CPU so you can get the best gaming experience possible!
Pros
- It is affordable.
- More durable.
- Build sound quality.
Cons
- It does not have an onboard SS.
Summary for Best Home Theater PC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM do I need for HTPC?
8GB will be more than enough for most people, but 4GB should suffice if you’re really on a tight budget. If all you plan to do is watch videos and browse the internet then opting out of 8 GB could save some money without sacrificing too much performance.
Does HTPC need a graphics card?
When it comes to HTPC, a graphics card is necessary to run the operating system with acceptable performance.
A graphics card will act as the ‘backbone of an HTPC. Furthermore, they are important for higher resolutions and faster refresh rates (1ms or lower which is what we recommend).
How much RAM do I need to stream a movie?
If your video, even in low-quality mode, is already playing smoothly then it doesn’t matter how much RAM you have. YouTube recommends that a minimum connection speed of 500Kbps be available to stream at 720p and 1080p resolutions with the latter requiring more than 1GB of system memory depending on which definition size they are streaming high-definition videos on their site.
Can I connect the home theater to a laptop?
A surround sound system doesn’t need to be wired either! You can also use an HDMI cable. Simply plug in one end of the HDMI cable into your laptop, then the other end into any available port on your surround sound system. It’s a hassle-free way to make sure that you’re getting full audio quality.
Buying Guide of Best Home Theater PC
While most PCs of the home theater ilk are small, they do seem to vary in overall form factor and weight. You’re probably thinking the smaller size is better but as it turns out opting for a slightly larger machine could be your best bet especially if you want power behind your rig.
For the best home theater pc, you’ll need one that has good hardware features like an HDMI-compatible graphics card and USB ports. You may also find it useful if the machine comes with a Blu-Ray player or TV tuner installed as well – these are common requirements of HTPCs.
Hardware Manufacturer Another important consideration before purchasing any type of PC is who’s made it.
Conclusion
The best home theater pc will provide you with the ultimate viewing experience. With these tips, it’s easier than ever to find a great one that fits your needs and budget. We hope this article has helped you understand how to make an educated purchase when choosing a new home theater computer!
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