[Kantraz]

Hi guys,
Me and my girlfirend recently moved into our own apartment, and we are now in the need of a good HTPC.

I haven't really been into the whole hardware world in a long time, so I need some help at building the HTPC.
We have some requirements for it:

1. Low power consumption
   
2. Small form factor
   
3. Handle 1080p content
   
4. MUST be able to bitstream audio!
   
5. Quiet
   
6. BD-drive (Not necessary)
   

Harddisks do not have to be integrated in the HTPC, as we are okay with having somekind of box standing next to it, working as a HDD hub (whatever it is called).

The HDD hub also have to have a low power consumption

We are going to have it run Windows 7, 8 later on.

Our budget is approximately $500

Hope you guys wanna help

[eskro]

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=94199

[DavidT99]

For ultra compact there is the Acer Revo RL70 or the Lenovo Q180 both of which have an optional bluray drive or for just very compact there is the option of DIY. Can you define "compact" as your definition may be different to mine.

David

[Kantraz]

With compact I meen something which is apx the size of a A/V receiver or smaller

I would really like going the diy way, but it seems that good htpc cases are hard to find where I live, Denmark.

[GortWillSaveUs]

For ultra compact there is the Acer Revo RL70 or the Lenovo Q180 both of which have an optional bluray drive or for just very compact there is the option of DIY. Can you define "compact" as your definition may be different to mine.

David

+1

[DavidT99]

With compact I meen something which is apx the size of a A/V receiver or smaller

I would really like going the diy way, but it seems that good htpc cases are hard to find where I live, Denmark.

An AVR is not that compact so you will have a lot of options. I recommend you look at the Silverstone Grandia range of htpc cases or if you want low profile look at the Silverstone ML03. These cases will take a microATX motherboard, multiple HDD's and a bluray drive. I particularly like the GD04 and GD05 cases.

David

[Kantraz]

I must say that I really like the Grandia, and it also gives me the opportunity to store all my HDD's inside of it
But what hardware shoudl I choose to put in it?

[DavidT99]

I must say that I really like the Grandia, and it also gives me the opportunity to store all my HDD's inside of it
But what hardware shoudl I choose to put in it?

Do you have a preference for AMD or Intel ?

If you prefer AMD the Llano A6 or A8 processors are popular combined with an A75M motherboard, if Intel then Ivybridge is probably the way to go with an H77 motherboard. The Ivybridge i3 processors are not available until later this year so as a stop gap you could get either a Sandybridge G530 or G620 cpu and replace with an Ivybridge i3 when available.

David

[Kantraz]

I have no preferances toward either Intel or amd

[DavidT99]

I have no preferances toward either Intel or amd

Don't forget to add into you budget, HDD's, memory, power supply, OS, keyboard, remote, bluray drive.

You might be pushing the $500 budget.

David

[Kantraz]

I already have my hdd's thinking of maybe buying a smalle ssd for os, otherwise that area is cowered
Kan also have keyboard, and my phone as remote, also have a spare os, bought by a mistanke

So the parts i need is:
Ssd
Memory
Psu
Case
And maybe the bd drive

[DavidT99]

I already have my hdd's thinking of maybe buying a smalle ssd for os, otherwise that area is cowered
Kan also have keyboard, and my phone as remote, also have a spare os, bought by a mistanke

So the parts i need is:
Ssd
Memory
Psu
Case
And maybe the bd drive

You should be OK then.

David

[Kantraz]

Yea, thats what I thought, but I have absolut no idea about what I should choose
I have been looking my self and this is what I have found so far:

Case:
SilverStone GD06

Mobo:
ASRock A75 Pro4-M

APU:
AMD A8-3850

SSD:
Crucial M4 64 GB

So now I basically only need some RAM and a PSU. Unfurtunately I think it will surpass my budget, but hey I dont mind breaking the budget a bit

[SavellM]

I would go down Intel route.
Can get a cheap i3.
CPU:
i3 2120
Mobo:
This is up to you, do you need onboard gpu? Do you require surround sound from it?
Asus or Gigabyte are good bets.
SSD:
Also up to you Crucial M4 is a good bet.
Ram:
Corsair Memory Vengeance LP Blue 4GB DDR3 1600 MHz
PSU:
Antec 350W Continous Power ATX PSU (really cheap as its on sale atm and 90% efficiency)
Or Be Quiet BN185 Efficient Power 350W 92% Eff.

[Kantraz]

If i go the i3 route, i will need a dedicated gpu, if it is to meet my requirements?
It has to be able to bitstream dtshd and truhd, so yes... Sorround sound is a must

Think I've found all the parts now, what do you guys think

Case:
SilverStone GD06

Mobo:
ASRock A75 Pro4-M

APU:
AMD A8-3850

SSD:
Crucial M4 64 GB

Ram:
Kingston HyperX Genesis 2 x 4 GB

PSU:
SilverStone Strider Series ST40F-ES

It will cost me $553