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Joined: Jul 2012
2012-07-10, 16:18
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-10, 16:21 by 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:
- Low power consumption
- Small form factor
- Handle 1080p content
- MUST be able to bitstream audio!
- Quiet
- 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
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2012-07-10, 20:17
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-10, 20:22 by 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
HTPC1: Intel Pentium G620, 4GB RAM, AMD HD6570, Samsung 830 SSD, Silverstone GD05 case.
HTPC2: AMD Athlon II X2 255, 4GB RAM, AMD HD5450, Western Digital HDD, Silverstone ML03 case.
HTPC3: AMD E350, 4GB RAM, AMD HD6310, OCZ Agility 3 SSD, Akasa Crypto case.
Media Server: i3-3220, 8gb RAM, WHS 2011, 8tb capacity, Fractal Design ARC Midi R2 case.
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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.
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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?
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I have no preferances toward either Intel or amd
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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
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Joined: Jul 2012
2012-07-11, 10:45
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-11, 11:35 by 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
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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.
Posts: 12
Joined: Jul 2012
2012-07-11, 12:53
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-11, 22:25 by 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