Comments/Advice on this Build - Printable Version +- XBMC Community Forum (http://forum.xbmc.org) +-- Forum: Off-Topic (/forumdisplay.php?fid=34) +--- Forum: Hardware for XBMC (/forumdisplay.php?fid=112) +--- Thread: Comments/Advice on this Build (/showthread.php?tid=104846)

Comments/Advice on this Build - drose25 - 2011-07-04 23:26 Hi Everyone, First of all, thanks to Eskro, Poofy, and everyone else who has spent time here providing advice, build guides, and other great info -- it has been enormously helpful. I'm am building two new HTPCs to replace 2 Xboxes. We're a mostly "Poofy Group 2" household -- I want to be able to play 1080p or other HD content without an issue, and I'd like to be at least somewhat future-proof. I will be using XBMC under linux, either OpenElec or Live. Here is my proposed build: CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 560 (3.3gHz) $87.99 MOBO: Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-S2 (free with the Phenom) RAM: 4gb DDR3 1600 $19.99 GPU: GT210 / 520 / or 430 depending on availability and pricing at the store Drive: 8gb USB stick probably (all of our media is stored on a CentOS server) I was planning on using a SilverStone GD05B case, but after seeing the TV stands my wife likes, I'm thinking I may have to shrink down to something like their ML03B, so I'm a little concerned about heat. The AMD 560 is an 80W CPU, while a i3 2100 is only 65W. Is there going to be an appreciable heat difference between the two? Also, the MoBo does not have an optical audio out...will that be a potential problem in the future? I'd prefer to have audio through HDMI for simplicity, but I don't know if that's a potential bottleneck later. Thanks for the feedback! - eskro - 2011-07-05 01:16 i wouldnt worry too much about the heat using the ML03B case... you can place up to 4 x 80mm Low Noise Fans like these in there! SilenX IXP-74-09 80mm 1700RPM 32CFM 14dBA ($8 + $4) http://ow.ly/1sWWpj +1 for audio through HDMI the i3-2100 will generate less heat.... - ceejay - 2011-07-05 10:31 ... and, as for how much less heat, have a look at this - testing the Phenom 565 and 555 rather than 560 but I guess you can interpolate? http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1179-page3.html Whether you call that "appreciable" is up to you! - outatouch0 - 2011-07-05 20:08 Hey friend, I initially had this same concern about the audio but as I looked into it I learned the GT520 will run both your HD audio and video via HDMI out so no worries there. Optical out is nowhere near the audio quality the HDMI will give you. So unless that is the only means of connecting to your current audio equipment you likely needn't worry about not having it. As for the case, WAF is important. Maybe show her the case options and see which she prefers? Usually helps in more ways than one - drose25 - 2011-07-05 21:29 Thanks for the comments guys, that's great news about HDMI audio -- I'm not too up on current A/V tech, so I was thinking optical was still the better/preferred way to go. I've got a new amp coming since our old one was pre-HDMI and the family's real used to letting the amp do the video switching. Sounds like things should be a breeze!