Building a Budget HTPC with Mini PCs Under $300

Building a home theater PC used to mean spending $500-800 on a custom build. In 2026, mini PCs have changed the game entirely. For under $300, you can have a fully capable HTPC that streams 4K HDR, runs Plex, records TV, and serves as a general entertainment hub.

This guide walks you through every step: choosing the right mini PC, selecting accessories, installing software, and optimizing for living room use. All while staying under your $300 budget.

Why Mini PCs Dominate Budget HTPC Builds

Traditional HTPC builds required:

• Mini-ITX case ($50-100)
• Low-profile CPU cooler ($30-50)
• Motherboard ($80-120)
• CPU ($100-200)
• RAM ($40)
• Storage ($40)
• Power supply ($50)

Total: $390-600 before you even add Windows.

Mini PCs bundle nearly everything into one box:

• Case, motherboard, CPU, and cooler: Included
• Power supply: External brick (included)
• Windows: Usually pre-installed
• RAM and storage: Often included on budget models

The savings are dramatic. And for HTPC use, performance is more than adequate.

Budget Breakdown: What $300 Gets You

Let's see exactly how the budget distributes:

Component	Budget Build	Better Build	Premium Build
Mini PC	$150-170	$220-250	$280-300
RAM upgrade	Included	$20	$30
Storage upgrade	N/A	$25	$50
Remote control	$25	$25	$45
HDMI cable	$15	$10	$10
Misc accessories	$20	$20	$15
Total	$210-230	$300	$430

Yes, you can build a complete HTPC for $210. But let's explore what that means in practice.

Step 1: Choosing Your Mini PC (The Heart of Your Build)

The mini PC represents 60-80% of your budget. Choose wisely.

Tier 1: Ultra-Budget ($150-180)

Beelink EQ12

• Intel N100 (4 cores, 12th gen efficient cores)
• 8GB LPDDR5 RAM (soldered, not upgradeable)
• 256GB NVMe SSD
• HDMI 2.0, USB-C
• WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
• Price: ~$170 complete

Pros:

• Everything included
• Handles 4K HEVC decoding
• Very low power (10W max)
• Silent operation

Cons:

• Limited to 8GB RAM
• Not upgradeable
• HDMI 2.0 only (no 4K@120Hz)

Best for: Pure Kodi/Plex client use. No server duties.

Minisforum UN100

• Intel N100
• RAM slots (upgradable to 16GB)
• NVMe slot + SATA SSD bay
• HDMI 2.0 + DisplayPort
• Price: ~$160 barebones

Pros:

• Upgradeable storage
• Dual display support
• Active cooling

Cons:

• Barebones (need RAM/SSD)
• Total cost approaches $200+

Best for: DIY builders wanting flexibility.

Tier 2: Value Champion ($220-260)

Beelink SER5 Pro

• AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (8 cores)
• 32GB DDR4 RAM included
• 500GB NVMe SSD included
• HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2
• Price: ~$250-280 (prices fluctuate)

Pros:

• Powerful 8-core CPU
• Massive RAM included
• Can run Plex Server + Client
• Excellent value

Cons:

• No AV1 decode (older architecture)
• Only HDMI 2.0
• Runs warmer than Intel

Best for: Users wanting server/client combo.

Beelink S12 Pro

• Intel i5-1240P (12 cores)
• 16GB DDR4 RAM included
• 500GB NVMe SSD included
• HDMI 2.0, USB-C with video
• Price: ~$240-260

Pros:

• Intel QuickSync for transcoding
• Good CPU for multitasking
• AV1 decode support
• Runs cool

Cons:

• Less RAM than SER5
• Still HDMI 2.0

Best for: Plex servers with transcoding needs.

Tier 3: Stretch Budget ($280-320)

GEEKOM Mini IT13

• Intel i5-13500H (12 cores)
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 512GB NVMe SSD
• Dual HDMI 2.1
• Price: ~$300-320

Pros:

• HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz)
• Latest Intel platform
• Thunderbolt 4

Cons:

• Requires budget stretch
• Runs warm

Best for: Future-proofed 4K gaming/display setups.

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Step 2: Essential Accessories (Budget: $50-70)

Remote Control Options

No HTPC is complete without proper control. Dump the keyboard and mouse.

Option A: FLIRC USB + Harmony Remote (~$50 total)

The FLIRC USB receiver lets you use any IR remote with your mini PC. It translates IR signals to keyboard commands that Kodi, Plex, and other apps recognize.

Setup:

1. Plug FLIRC into USB port
2. Download FLIRC software from flirc.tv
3. Walk through button mapping wizard
4. Done

This is the most flexible option. Use any old remote, or pair with a Logitech Harmony for true universal control.

Option B: Bluetooth Remote (~$25-40)

Many mini PCs include Bluetooth. A dedicated Bluetooth remote works well:

• WeChip G20 ($15-20): Basic, works well
• Minix A3 ($30): Includes air mouse
• Rii i8+ ($25): Mini keyboard + touchpad

Option C: Smartphone App (Free)

Kodi includes official remote apps:

• Kore (Android, official)
• Official Kodi Remote (iOS)
• Yatse (Android, advanced features)

The downside: your phone must be awake and on the same network. Not ideal for family use.

Option D: HDMI-CEC (~$40)

If your TV supports HDMI-CEC (most do), a CEC adapter lets your TV remote control Kodi directly. The Pulse-Eight adapter is the gold standard.

Recommendation: FLIRC USB ($22) + basic IR remote ($10-15) = ~$35 total

HDMI Cable

Don't cheap out here. A bad cable causes intermittent issues that are maddening to diagnose.

Requirements for 4K HDR:

• Premium High Speed (18 Gbps) minimum
• Certified Ultra High Speed (48 Gbps) for future-proofing
• Length: 6 feet is ideal (signal degrades over distance)

Price: $10-15 for a quality 6-foot cable

Storage Expansion (Optional)

If your mini PC has limited internal storage, external options help:

USB 3.0 External SSD ($30-50 for 500GB)

• Fast for media that needs random access
• No external power needed

USB 3.0 External HDD ($50-80 for 4TB)

• Best cost per GB
• Requires power adapter
• Slower seek times

Budget option: A 128GB USB flash drive ($15) for additional media storage.

USB Hub (If Needed)

Mini PCs have limited USB ports. A powered hub adds capacity:

• 4-port USB 3.0 hub: $15-20
• 7-port USB 3.0 hub: $25-30

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Step 3: Software Installation

Your hardware is ready. Now install the software that makes it an HTPC.

Option A: LibreELEC (Kodi-Focused)

Best for: Dedicated Kodi players

LibreELEC is a minimal Linux distribution designed solely to run Kodi. It boots in seconds, uses minimal resources, and updates automatically.

Installation:

1. Download LibreELEC from libreelec.tv
2. Flash to USB drive using Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (Mac/Linux)
3. Boot mini PC from USB (usually F7 or F12 at startup)
4. Follow installation wizard
5. System installs to internal drive
6. First boot takes 2-3 minutes for initialization

Total time: 15 minutes

Pros:

• Optimized for Kodi
• Boots in 10 seconds
• Auto-updates
• Free
• No Windows overhead

Cons:

• Kodi only (no other apps)
• Limited to Kodi add-ons for content

Option B: Windows 11 (Multi-Purpose)

Best for: Kodi + streaming apps + gaming

Most mini PCs come with Windows 11 pre-installed. Keep it if you want access to Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming apps.

Setup for HTPC use:

# Step 1: Clean up Windows
1. Uninstall bloatware
2. Disable startup apps (Task Manager)
3. Set power plan to High Performance
4. Disable sleep: Settings → System → Power → Screen and sleep → Never

# Step 2: Install Kodi
1. Download from kodi.tv
2. Run installer
3. Configure display settings (see later section)

# Step 3: Install streaming apps
1. Microsoft Store has Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime
2. For apps not in Store, use web versions

# Step 4: Configure auto-start
1. Create shortcut to Kodi
2. Press Win+R, type "shell:startup"
3. Move shortcut to Startup folder
4. Kodi launches on login

Windows optimizations for HTPC:

• Set Kodi to launch on startup
• Configure Windows to auto-login (netplwiz)
• Disable Windows sounds (they're jarring on home theater)
• Set display scaling to 100%

Total setup time: 30-45 minutes

Option C: CoreELEC (ARM-Only, Alternative)

If your mini PC has ARM processor (rare for x86 mini PCs), CoreELEC is an excellent alternative. Most readers will use x86 hardware, so LibreELEC is the better choice.

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Step 4: Configuration for Living Room Use

Software is installed. Now optimize for the living room environment.

Display Settings

Enable automatic refresh rate switching:

This is critical for smooth playback. Videos should play at their native frame rate, not forced to 60Hz.

In Kodi:

Settings → Player → Videos
  - Adjust display refresh rate: "On start/stop"
  - Sync playback to display: ON

This prevents judder on 24fps movies.

Enable HDR passthrough:

If you have a 4K HDR TV:

Settings → Player → Videos
  - Allow HDR: ON
  
Settings → System → Display
  - Use 10-bit surfaces: ON

Audio Configuration

For surround sound receivers:

Settings → System → Audio
  - Audio output device: HDMI (your receiver)
  - Speakers: 5.1 or 7.1 (match your setup)
  - Allow passthrough: ON
  - Check all formats your receiver supports

For stereo TV speakers:

Settings → System → Audio
  - Audio output device: HDMI (your TV)
  - Speakers: 2.0
  - Allow passthrough: OFF

Test your audio:

Play this test file in Kodi: Dolby test files

You should see your receiver display "Dolby Digital" or "TrueHD" when playing appropriate content.

Remote Control Mapping

For FLIRC or keyboard controls, map essential functions:

Function	Recommended Key
Navigation	Arrow keys
Select	Enter
Back	Backspace
Context menu	M or Menu
Play/Pause	Space
Stop	X
Skip forward	Page Down or → (held)
Skip backward	Page Up or ← (held)
Volume up	+ or =
Volume down	-
Mute	F8

Network Configuration

For streaming local media, wired Ethernet beats WiFi every time.

Wired setup:

1. Connect Ethernet cable
2. Most mini PCs auto-configure
3. Test speed: iperf3 -c your.nas.ip

WiFi setup (if wired not possible):

1. Use 5GHz band only
2. Position mini PC near router or use WiFi extender
3. Test actual throughput: should exceed 50Mbps for 4K content

Network share setup:

For NAS-stored media:

# Windows paths (add to Kodi sources)
\\NAS-IP\share\Movies
\\NAS-IP\share\TV Shows

# SMB paths (Linux/LibreELEC)
smb://NAS-IP/share/Movies
smb://NAS-IP/share/TV Shows

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Step 5: Build Complete Setups by Use Case

Let's put it all together with specific build recommendations.

Build A: Kodi-Only Player ($195 total)

Components:

Item	Product	Price
Mini PC	Beelink EQ12 (8GB/256GB)	$170
Remote	FLIRC USB + IR remote	$35
HDMI Cable	6ft Premium High Speed	$10

Total: $215 (often on sale for $195)

Software: LibreELEC

Capabilities:

• 4K HEVC playback: ✓
• 4K AV1 playback: ✓
• Dolby Atmos passthrough: ✓
• Local streaming: ✓
• Network streaming: ✓
• Plex client: ✓

Limitations:

• Not suitable for Plex server (transcoding)
• No Windows apps
• 8GB RAM not upgradeable

Build B: Plex Server + Client ($285 total)

Components:

Item	Product	Price
Mini PC	Beelink S12 Pro (16GB/500GB)	$240
Remote	FLIRC USB + IR remote	$35
HDMI Cable	6ft Premium High Speed	$10

Total: $285

Software: Windows 11 + Plex Media Server + Plex for Windows

Capabilities:

• All of Build A, plus:
• Plex transcoding (2-3 streams)
• Other Windows apps (Netflix, etc.)
• RAID storage via USB (optional)

Limitations:

• More complex setup
• Windows maintenance required
• Uses more power

Build C: Ultimate Budget Server ($310 total)

Components:

Item	Product	Price
Mini PC	Beelink SER5 Pro (32GB/500GB)	$250
External Storage	4TB USB HDD	$60
Remote	Smartphone app (Kore)	$0

Total: $310 (slightly over budget, but powerful)

Software: Windows 11 or Ubuntu Server + Plex + Kodi

Capabilities:

• 8-core AMD processor
• 32GB RAM (massive for Plex)
• 4TB media storage
• Can run additional services (Sonarr, Radarr, etc.)

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

"My video stutters"

Cause: Usually decoder or network issues

Fix:

1. Verify hardware decoding in Kodi settings
2. Try playing from local drive (rules out network)
3. Check CPU usage during playback (should be under 30%)
4. For 4K content, ensure you're not using software decode

"No audio passthrough"

Cause: Driver or configuration issue

Fix:

1. Update audio drivers (Intel/AMD website)
2. In Windows Sound settings, set HDMI to "Allow applications to take exclusive control"
3. Verify Kodi passthrough settings match your receiver

"Remote doesn't work in menus"

Cause: Keymap not configured

Fix:

1. For FLIRC: Re-run the FLIRC software configuration
2. For keyboard remotes: Check Kodi keymap editor addon
3. Verify Kodi has focus (not another app in foreground)

"4K looks bad"

Cause: Display settings mismatch

Fix:

1. Verify your TV is in HDR mode (usually requires manual activation)
2. Use high-quality HDMI cable
3. In Windows, verify 4K resolution is selected
4. Check Kodi display calibration (Settings → System → Display)

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Budget HTPC vs Alternatives

Solution	Cost	Pros	Cons
Budget Mini PC	$200-300	Full control, any app, upgrades	Requires setup, no Netflix 4K HDR
Streaming Stick	$30-50	Cheap, easy setup	Limited to apps, no local files
Nvidia Shield TV	$200	Excellent app support	Aging platform, no upgrades
Apple TV 4K	$180-200	Premium experience	No local file support (without apps)
Custom HTPC Build	$400-600	Ultimate flexibility	Expensive, larger

The budget mini PC hits a sweet spot: more flexibility than streaming sticks, cheaper than Shield/Apple TV, and far cheaper than custom builds.

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Maintenance and Updates

Windows-based systems:

• Enable automatic Windows Update
• Update Kodi when prompted
• Clean Kodi library monthly: Settings → Media → Library → Clean library
• Monitor storage usage

LibreELEC systems:

• Updates install automatically
• Minimal maintenance required
• Backup settings periodically: Settings → System → Backup

Both:

• Reboot monthly (clears memory leaks)
• Check storage monthly
• Update graphics drivers quarterly (Windows)

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Final Checklist Before You Buy

Before purchasing, verify:

• [ ] Mini PC has Intel 8th gen+ or AMD Ryzen 4000+ CPU
• [ ] Includes at least 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
• [ ] Has HDMI 2.0 or better
• [ ] NVMe storage (faster than SATA SSD)
• [ ] Gigabit Ethernet port
• [ ] Windows 11 included (if going Windows route)
• [ ] Budget includes remote control
• [ ] Budget includes HDMI cable

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Comparison: Our Budget Picks

Model	Price	CPU	RAM	Best For
Beelink EQ12	~$170	N100	8GB	Kodi-only, simplest setup
Minisforum UN100	~$160*	N100	Barebones	DIY builders wanting upgrades
Beelink S12 Pro	~$250	i5-1240P	16GB	Plex server + client
Beelink SER5 Pro	~$280	Ryzen 7 5700X	32GB	Power users, multi-service

*Barebones price; add RAM/SSD for total ~$200

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Smart spending, great results. That's the budget HTPC way.