[AnalBeard]

I know these threads have been done to death, but everyone's needs are slightly different, so I'd appreciate your valuable input please.

Firstly, what I'll be using it for:

• streaming from networked server via cat5
  
• playback of 1080/720 mkvs
  
• windows 7
  
• xbmc (obviously!)
  

Would-likes:

• small form factor
  
• nice to look at
  
• quiet
  
• relatively cheap, don't want to break the bank
  

Can anyone think of a product that would do this? i was thinking something like Zotac's AD03, but that doesn't appear to be available in the UK. Would something like the AD02 do the job? Or does it lack power? Ideally i'd buy a Vision 3d, but it's just too damn pricey.

Help please!

[wsume99]

The only reason I can see to get the AD-03 instead of the AD-02 is if you want to play blurays. But that is a lot of additional cost just for a bluray drive. Personally if I needed a bluray drive I'd just build my own HTPC instead of a pre-built system. It would end up being cheaper and more powerful than the AD-03.

Given your goals (playback of streamed 720/1080p mkvs), an AD-02 or a ND-22 would definitely work. I've used an e-350 in my HTPC and it played back 720p/1080p mkvs flawlessly in XBMC. The only gripe I can see is that it might no be as snappy as you'd like if you run heavy skins (i.e. Aeon MQ2). I used Confluence and it was ok - not perfect fluid but not bad either - as I said it was just ok. So it may be worth your while to spend a little more and get the ND-22 because it has ~50% more CPU power than the AD-02. You could also build your own system as well. From a cost perspective you can probably come close in terms of price and you'd get better performance. The downside would be that the system would probably have a little larger footprint than both of the Zotac pre-builts, but if you select the right case it may be better to look at. One advantage of the Zotac builds is that they are pretty easy to mount to the back of a TV so you would not even have to look at them at all.

Personally I've always preferred to build my own systems because I like having the control over what h/w I use. If I build my own system I can tailor it to meet my own specific needs and I think that you get the best bang for your buck when you build your own. If you want simplicity then perhaps you should go with a pre-built system but if you want the best system you can get for the money you're going to spend then a custom build would serve you better.

edit - I saw the OP's name and just had to reply to his post

[numb7rs]

Check out the stickies for a number of builds that will meet your requirements.

[AmitUK1978]

Have a look at whats available here

http://www.mediacenter-tv.co.uk/super-sm...ntres.html

All of those will work.. but as they are intel atom based, they may struggle with the heavier skins.

For me, I would only consider something with a decent processor, like an i3 just because I want all the snappy wizz bang guis

If you are just going to use the vanilla XBMC and nothing else, then any of these machines will do the job.

I have just posted a thread detailing the system I am going to build. It comes in at around £400 and will do everything and have power in excess

[AnalBeard]

Ok, so some critique for my build would help, please

case:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silversto...n-take-atx)

mobo:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-p8h6...-micro-atx

cpu:
http://www.ebuyer.com/254976-intel-core-...0623i32100

cooler:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/scythe-sh...e+shopping

gpu:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zotac-ZT-20309-1...B004XG8LGC

psu:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/350w-psu-...an-atx-v23
OR
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/430w-psu-...an-atx-v23

SSD:
http://www.ebuyer.com/248353-kingston-16...s100s2-16g

remote:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noah-Company-Med...roduct_top

i know i haven't specced fans or ram yet, but that's not such an issue. My main question is this: am i spending more than i need to anywhere? can i afford to spec some parts down a bit?

[WhiteLighter]

I'm not sure if the Zotac Nano is available on your area. There has been a discussion of it here

Also, don't forget to check Eskro's guide

[bluray]

here is htpc that wouldn't break your bank, and it'll playback bd in full 1080p video and dts-hd and truehd audio:

1. Apex MI-100 4BAY Desktop Blk/Silver 250W ATX12V Mitx
2. ASRock E350M1/USB3
3. Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV125-S2/30GB
4. Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
5. Scythe SY1225SL12M 120mm
6. HIS H657H1G Radeon HD 6570 1 GB (128bit) DDR3 HDMI
7. LG Black 10X BD-ROM

if need it, here is a great option for storage:
Buffalo Technology MiniStation Stealth 1 TB USB 3.0

[outatouch0]

note, can't see your case - looks like a bad link?

I have the Corsair PSU and it works fine though some have been known to die in a few days. One has on at least one forum member here. Probably better to avid that risk. I would look at the PSU on escro's guide made by Seasonic (but rebranded to Antec I think). Also beware of physical size measurements depending on your case.

I think your 16GB SSD is cutting it too close on the size for Win7. You probably will be better served by a 30ish GB.

To save money as you say...
for a dedicated htpc/xbmc rig with a graphics card you don't need, nor will you use the capabilities of an "i core" processor. A G530 or G620 will save good money. If you want you can put this towards a card which will let you bitstream audio which wont cost much more than to G210 if you shop around.
Also, your really don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler on Intel CPU's. You can at least try out the stock cooler first. Also you have to be sure whatever CPU cooler you go with fits in your case. That goes for all of your parts of course.

[eskro]

Also, don't forget to check Eskro's guide

definitely start there

[AnalBeard]

note, can't see your case - looks like a bad link?

I have the Corsair PSU and it works fine though some have been known to die in a few days. One has on at least one forum member here. Probably better to avid that risk. I would look at the PSU on escro's guide made by Seasonic (but rebranded to Antec I think). Also beware of physical size measurements depending on your case.

I think your 16GB SSD is cutting it too close on the size for Win7. You probably will be better served by a 30ish GB.

To save money as you say...
for a dedicated htpc/xbmc rig with a graphics card you don't need, nor will you use the capabilities of an "i core" processor. A G530 or G620 will save good money. If you want you can put this towards a card which will let you bitstream audio which wont cost much more than to G210 if you shop around.
Also, your really don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler on Intel CPU's. You can at least try out the stock cooler first. Also you have to be sure whatever CPU cooler you go with fits in your case. That goes for all of your parts of course.

yeah, the brackets seem to mess up my case link, here it is again: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silversto...-take-atx)

are you saying that a Pentium will fit the bill then? i've seen people saying that to use the heavier skins i'll need the more powerful processor. Can you recommend me a gnu in that case?

I'm not sure if the Zotac Nano is available on your area. There has been a discussion of it here

Also, don't forget to check Eskro's guide

so the Nano is good enough to do all that i want, without struggling?

[WhiteLighter]

so the Nano is good enough to do all that i want, without struggling?

Based on it's HW specs and what have other said on the thread that I linked to, it should be able to do what you wanted to.

streaming from networked server via cat5
playback of 1080/720 mkvs
windows 7
xbmc (obviously!)

Here's one post with links that would give you more info

Op:

Others have posted this link also... but adding it to the first post would be cool...
In this review they go over some of speed testing,
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556/1

they have it running XBMC (which is why were all here after all) via openelec
on page 4, about 3/4 the way down the page..
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556/4

Seems like their only complaints were:
The headphone output doesn't work,
Neither does the front-panel IR port.

But....
The remote is functional using the IR dongle
and I had no problem getting audio piped to my TV over HDMI

It should also be able to bitsream dts-hdma audio to your recevier (if you have any).

But be aware that there's a cheaper version of the AD10 (the VD01) which people say that would not run XBMC nicely.

[AnalBeard]

case: Silverstone Milo ML03B - £59
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silversto...n-take-atx)

mobo: Asus P8H61-M-LX2 - £49
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-p8h6...-micro-atx

cpu: - Pentium G620 2.6ghz £51
http://www.ebuyer.com/254976-intel-core-...0623i32100

gpu: Zotac ZT-20309-10L GeForce GT210 LP Silent - £26
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zotac-ZT-20309-1...B004XG8LGC

psu: Enermax 350w - £32
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/350w-psu-...an-atx-v23

SSD: Kingston SNV125-S2/30GB - £50
http://www.expansys.com/kingston-ssdnow-...e&ito=1701

RAM: Kingston KVR1066D3N7/2G - £13
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9189621/Ki...oduct.html

remote:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noah-Company-Med...roduct_top

ok, so what do people think to this? i've cut down on the processor and upped the ssd. would this happily play bdrips too?

[bluray]

gpu: Zotac ZT-20309-10L GeForce GT210 LP Silent - £26
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zotac-ZT-20309-1...B004XG8LGC

if you can find this (MSI N430GT) in uk for $25, i would buy it instead of gt210.

[wsume99]

I've had that case for almost a year now and just recently added that CPU to my HTPC. I have the G210 as well, but I'm not using it in my HTPC now. And I just got that $25 GT430 that Bluray mentioned. I'm assembling my own hardware stockpile.

Your list as-is would be an awesome build. Swapping the GT430 for the G210 would make it even more awesome. If you can get a GT430 for the around the same $$$ as a G210 then I'd get the GT430. Otherwise stick with the G210 unless you want/need 3D or bitstreaming capability, then get the GT430. Either build will run any skin and handle blu-ray rips just fine.

[WhiteLighter]

The build looks good to me ^_^ and +1 on the GT430 over GT210 (depends on the price though).

Don't forget to post pictures of the build