2012-04-08, 13:46
Hi, this is my new HTPC. (Under-Construction)
Spec
XBMC 11.0 - Eden
Windows 7 64bits (I already had it so it was free for me)
ASUS remote controller (free with motherboard)
Realtek® 8111E , 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Wireless Data Network Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Audio Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
AMD Socket FM1 A- Series/E2- Series Accelerated Processors
AMD CPU Triple Core Processor Socket FM1 2.1GHZ 3MB 65W - HD6530D
Integrated AMD Radeon™ HD 6000 Series Graphics in Llano APU
RAM 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 (Max 2 x DIMM, Max. 16GB, DDR3)
HD 32GB SSDNow SATA
HD 750GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA
6 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black+red, 2 at mid-board)
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
1 x Bluetooth module(s)
1 x DVI-D
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
3 x Audio jack(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
2 x Wi-Fi antenna port(s)
Hardware Information
ASUS F1A75-I Deluxe Mini-ITX AMD A75 Fch FM1 DDR3 SATA3 PCI-E16 USB3.0 HDMI DVI DP Motherboard + Controller $144.43
Where to buy
Motherboard Spec Link
AMD A6-3500 APU W/ AMD Radeon 65XX HD GFX Triple Core Processor Socket FM1 2.1GHZ 3MB 65W Retail Box $74.29
Where to buy
CPU Spec Link
Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 NON-ECC CL9 DIMM (Kit of 2) HyperX Blu $28.05
Where to buy
Seagate Momentus ST9750420AS 750GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA 3GB/S Hard Drive $116.92
Where to buy
Kingston SS050S2/32G 32GB SSDNow S50 SATA 2 2.5 $55.83
Where to buy
Habey EMC-600SL Silver Heavy duty 3mm aluminum; aluminum brushed texture surface Mini-ITX Chassis Super-slim Mini ITX Aluminum HTPC/NAS/Server PC Case 12V DC 120W ATX power supply with 12V 5A power adapter, 20+4 - OEM $74.99
Beware, do not order this BOX because the box is too small 8" x 9" x 2.25", I did some holes and I changed the PSU for the Xbox 360 PSU, with a 10A fuses to protect the DC-DC 120W power supply.
I recommand you to use a bigger box (at least 3-4inch high).
Where to buy
Software/Settings Information
This is the list of the program I used to boot directly in XBMC.
- Windows 7 boot updater
This tool is used to change the boot text and logo.
Source and Download link
Logo XBMC for boot screen, credit to FiroPyro
- Windows 7 Logon Background Changer
This tool is used to change the Windows logon background.
Source and Download link
(I recommand you to not use a backgroup with a logo in the middle of the screen)
Download the blue Background for logon screen, credit to duduke's
- Eventghost
This tool is used to boot directly in windows, its NOT necessary but usefull. (An easy option is to change the Shell Explorer.exe to c:\...\XBMC.exe)
Source and Download link
- Windows 7 Special Setup
Change the backgroup to black, Remove the logon button/password, Disable password on wakeup.
Power Test
Work fine with 120Watts.
Crash once a while with 60Watts.
Video Test
Play 1080p H264 L5.1 MKV with HDMI Sound/Video. (Windows ONLY, H264 L4.1 with Linux)
Audio Test
HDMI sound work, have not done many audio test yet.
Hardware
CPU: 6% in Xbmc.
Mem used : 23% in Xbmc.
FPS: 60 @ 1920x1080
Temp : 37
Windows Experience Rating
5.6
Boot Speed Test
Boot time between "Press ON/OFF button" to XBMC menu : 25sec.
See video for more information
Shutdown/Resume Test
The remote can resume (wake-up) Windows.
The remote cannot power ON-OFF the computer.
Remote Test
Signal = 50ft or more. (It's working everywhere in my house)
If you use my keymap : Download keyboard.xml
Front: Left button, Up button, Down button, Right button, Enter button, Back button. ALT-TAB button, Mouse/Key Switcher button, 8 fonctions buttons (Need to hold FN on the back of the remote)
Back: HID Keyboard, 87 buttons.
WIFI Speed Test
File Transfer speed is ~6MB/sec between my computers. (~48Mbps)
Ping test between my PC (Wire) and my HTPC (Wireless)
Xbox360 PSU to PICO
Amazing Electrical schematic
Jump Red and Blue wire to enable the PSU.
(I used 16AWG wires)
Connect 3 yellow biggest wires to +12v.
Connect 3 black biggest wires to 0v.
Install a fuse to the +12v if your PICO is lower than 200watts. Why do I install a fuse?, If your motherboard want 15Amps and your pico is not able to support 15A, its possible you burn/destroy the PICO because the Xbox360 Power supply is able to give up to 17Amps. With a fuse, you protect the PICO and the fuse will break if your computer want more power. (If this happen, you'll need a bigger PICO PSU)
Fuses recommanded:
10A for 120watts PICO PSU.
13A for 160watts PICO PSU.
Do the maths: W / 12 = A
Wire Size (AWG) recommanded:
12AWG for 22A, 264watts @12vdc
14AWG for 15A, 180watts @ 12vdc (It's okay for 200watts too)
16AWG for 9A, 108watts @ 12vdc (It's okay for 120watts too)
18AWG for 6A, 72watts @ 12vdc
Just make sure you do not use 18awg for 200watts, it's dangerous for the fire.
P.S. I'm an electrical designer/engineer, those wire specs are based on the CSA/Electrical Code here in Canada.
Spec
XBMC 11.0 - Eden
Windows 7 64bits (I already had it so it was free for me)
ASUS remote controller (free with motherboard)
Realtek® 8111E , 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Wireless Data Network Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Audio Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
AMD Socket FM1 A- Series/E2- Series Accelerated Processors
AMD CPU Triple Core Processor Socket FM1 2.1GHZ 3MB 65W - HD6530D
Integrated AMD Radeon™ HD 6000 Series Graphics in Llano APU
RAM 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 (Max 2 x DIMM, Max. 16GB, DDR3)
HD 32GB SSDNow SATA
HD 750GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA
6 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black+red, 2 at mid-board)
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
1 x Bluetooth module(s)
1 x DVI-D
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
3 x Audio jack(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
2 x Wi-Fi antenna port(s)
Hardware Information
ASUS F1A75-I Deluxe Mini-ITX AMD A75 Fch FM1 DDR3 SATA3 PCI-E16 USB3.0 HDMI DVI DP Motherboard + Controller $144.43
Where to buy
Motherboard Spec Link
AMD A6-3500 APU W/ AMD Radeon 65XX HD GFX Triple Core Processor Socket FM1 2.1GHZ 3MB 65W Retail Box $74.29
Where to buy
CPU Spec Link
Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 NON-ECC CL9 DIMM (Kit of 2) HyperX Blu $28.05
Where to buy
Seagate Momentus ST9750420AS 750GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA 3GB/S Hard Drive $116.92
Where to buy
Kingston SS050S2/32G 32GB SSDNow S50 SATA 2 2.5 $55.83
Where to buy
Habey EMC-600SL Silver Heavy duty 3mm aluminum; aluminum brushed texture surface Mini-ITX Chassis Super-slim Mini ITX Aluminum HTPC/NAS/Server PC Case 12V DC 120W ATX power supply with 12V 5A power adapter, 20+4 - OEM $74.99
Beware, do not order this BOX because the box is too small 8" x 9" x 2.25", I did some holes and I changed the PSU for the Xbox 360 PSU, with a 10A fuses to protect the DC-DC 120W power supply.
I recommand you to use a bigger box (at least 3-4inch high).
Where to buy
Software/Settings Information
This is the list of the program I used to boot directly in XBMC.
- Windows 7 boot updater
This tool is used to change the boot text and logo.
Source and Download link
Logo XBMC for boot screen, credit to FiroPyro
- Windows 7 Logon Background Changer
This tool is used to change the Windows logon background.
Source and Download link
(I recommand you to not use a backgroup with a logo in the middle of the screen)
Download the blue Background for logon screen, credit to duduke's
- Eventghost
This tool is used to boot directly in windows, its NOT necessary but usefull. (An easy option is to change the Shell Explorer.exe to c:\...\XBMC.exe)
Source and Download link
- Windows 7 Special Setup
Change the backgroup to black, Remove the logon button/password, Disable password on wakeup.
Power Test
Work fine with 120Watts.
Crash once a while with 60Watts.
Video Test
Play 1080p H264 L5.1 MKV with HDMI Sound/Video. (Windows ONLY, H264 L4.1 with Linux)
Audio Test
HDMI sound work, have not done many audio test yet.
Hardware
CPU: 6% in Xbmc.
Mem used : 23% in Xbmc.
FPS: 60 @ 1920x1080
Temp : 37
Windows Experience Rating
5.6
Boot Speed Test
Boot time between "Press ON/OFF button" to XBMC menu : 25sec.
See video for more information
Shutdown/Resume Test
The remote can resume (wake-up) Windows.
The remote cannot power ON-OFF the computer.
Remote Test
Signal = 50ft or more. (It's working everywhere in my house)
If you use my keymap : Download keyboard.xml
Front: Left button, Up button, Down button, Right button, Enter button, Back button. ALT-TAB button, Mouse/Key Switcher button, 8 fonctions buttons (Need to hold FN on the back of the remote)
Back: HID Keyboard, 87 buttons.
WIFI Speed Test
File Transfer speed is ~6MB/sec between my computers. (~48Mbps)
Ping test between my PC (Wire) and my HTPC (Wireless)
Code:
Pinging 192.168.1.108 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.108: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.108: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.108: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.108: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Ping statistics for 192.168.1.108:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 1ms, Maximum = 2ms, Average = 1ms
Xbox360 PSU to PICO
Amazing Electrical schematic
Jump Red and Blue wire to enable the PSU.
(I used 16AWG wires)
Connect 3 yellow biggest wires to +12v.
Connect 3 black biggest wires to 0v.
Install a fuse to the +12v if your PICO is lower than 200watts. Why do I install a fuse?, If your motherboard want 15Amps and your pico is not able to support 15A, its possible you burn/destroy the PICO because the Xbox360 Power supply is able to give up to 17Amps. With a fuse, you protect the PICO and the fuse will break if your computer want more power. (If this happen, you'll need a bigger PICO PSU)
Fuses recommanded:
10A for 120watts PICO PSU.
13A for 160watts PICO PSU.
Do the maths: W / 12 = A
Wire Size (AWG) recommanded:
12AWG for 22A, 264watts @12vdc
14AWG for 15A, 180watts @ 12vdc (It's okay for 200watts too)
16AWG for 9A, 108watts @ 12vdc (It's okay for 120watts too)
18AWG for 6A, 72watts @ 12vdc
Just make sure you do not use 18awg for 200watts, it's dangerous for the fire.
P.S. I'm an electrical designer/engineer, those wire specs are based on the CSA/Electrical Code here in Canada.