New components for XBMCLive ASAP!
#1
So my current HTPC hardware just failed. Sad The components are old and I have no intention to find out what's wrong.

Looking for tips on what's the latest hardware combo; MB, CPU, GPU (&RAM), that is directly compatible with XBMCLive (Ubuntu) for hardware acceleration ect. (already have case, PSU, HDD, remote). I'm a bit outdated for the moment on what's working well and not, except tonight's browsing on various forums...

The only other thing I ever run except XBMC is a Deluge-daemon. 1080p playback and analogue audio out are the only requirements.

Looking for the absolute cheapest mobo / integrated cpu/gpu (+ram) solution etc that fit my simple requirements. (Integrated passive psu is a plus) Anyone feeling kind enough to help me with some suggestions? Hoping to stay within a $100-150 budget if possible
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#2
jonte511 Wrote:So my current HTPC hardware just failed. Sad The components are old and I have no intention to find out what's wrong.

Looking for tips on what's the latest hardware combo; MB, CPU, GPU (&RAM), that is directly compatible with XBMCLive (Ubuntu) for hardware acceleration ect. (already have case, PSU, HDD, remote). I'm a bit outdated for the moment on what's working well and not, except tonight's browsing on various forums...

The only other thing I ever run except XBMC is a Deluge-daemon. 1080p playback and analogue audio out are the only requirements.

Looking for the absolute cheapest mobo / integrated cpu/gpu (+ram) solution etc that fit my simple requirements. (Integrated passive psu is a plus) Anyone feeling kind enough to help me with some suggestions? Hoping to stay within a $100-150 budget if possible

that budget is going to be impossible unless you plan on re-using some old parts.

as for xbmc live, make sure you use nvidia graphics (if you are using a dedicated GPU)
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#3
Well many mobo's with integrated cpu (and gpu) go for under $100 and ram is cheap. That are the only components I need... So I think (hope) it would be possible.

The problem is I'm not updated in what kind of hardware except for ION1/2 work well directly under XBMCLive, and at least ION2 hardware and not that cheap, well over $100.
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#4
jonte511 Wrote:Well many mobo's with integrated cpu (and gpu) go for under $100 and ram is cheap. That are the only components I need... So I think (hope) it would be possible.

The problem is I'm not updated in what kind of hardware except for ION1/2 work well directly under XBMCLive, and at least ION2 hardware and not that cheap, well over $100.

I'm unfamiliar with how those machines will run 1080P though.

MSI 760GM-E51
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813130254

AMD Athlon II X2 250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819103903

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820146748

This comes to more then you want to spend, but it will be much better then integrated as you have more options, but to each their own

PS: you will probably need a discrete GPU to play 1080P, but I'm not 100%
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#5
lrusak Wrote:I'm unfamiliar with how those machines will run 1080P though.
Perfectly fine. The ION chips provide full hardware accelerated 1080P for most formats. I have been using my ION Zotac MAG for what seems like 2 years now (Has it been that long already?!) and have not come across 1 problem file. Everything plays in full HD with 5.1 surround over HDMI.
Server - Debain Squeeze Server + 6TB RAID5 + Sabnzbd + CP & SB
HTPC - Zotac MAG + 60GB Vertex 2 SSD + OpenELEC Frodo 12.1 + Aeon Nox
HTPC 2 - AppleTV 2
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#6
CASHMON3Y Wrote:Perfectly fine. The ION chips provide full hardware accelerated 1080P for most formats. I have been using my ION Zotac MAG for what seems like 2 years now (Has it been that long already?!) and have not come across 1 problem file. Everything plays in full HD with 5.1 surround over HDMI.

How much did you originally pay for it, if you don't mind me asking?
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#7
what form factor is your existing case? You'd be reusing that, right?

What other components would you be reusing?
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#8
kyleshay Wrote:what form factor is your existing case? You'd be reusing that, right?

What other components would you be reusing?

I actually have everything in an IKEA cabinet, so I can fit all form factors Big Grin

I will be reusing everything except mobo with cpu, ram, gpu. Integrated passive psu to new mobo is a plus but not necessary.
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#9
This combination is working good for me:

[CPU] Intel Celeron E3400 Dual-Core 2.6GHz LGA-775 65W ($43 + $0) eBay
[MOBO+iGPU] ZOTAC GF9300-K-E LGA-775 WiFi Mini-ITX ($105 + $0) Amazon
[RAM] CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 DDR3 1333 ($15 + $0) Amazon
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#10
lrusak Wrote:PS: you will probably need a discrete GPU to play 1080P, but I'm not 100%

No, the right integrated GPU will work just fine...

MTPPC Wrote:[MOBO+iGPU] ZOTAC GF9300-K-E LGA-775 WiFi Mini-ITX ($105 + $0) Amazon

Like this one.

I use this with a 35W Celeron chip I got on eBay for $20 and it runs 1080p great.

The UI can be a bit slower than if I were using a C2D chip, but that's rare...

-Wes
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#11
Anyone have experience by the AMD Hudson platform? Like the Asus E45M1-I Deluxe?
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#12
What about AMD E-450?

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_CPU...1I_DELUXE/

Does the E-350 and E-450 work well with xbmc-live? Openelec has a build for AMD Fusion but I don´t know about xbmc-live.

edit: sorry jonte, didn´t see your similar post Smile.
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