Streaming 1080p on Mini-ITX system - no lag vs low cost
#1
Question 
Hello,

I wish to host media content on a file server which 5 or so clients running XBMC will stream from but need a little help with the hardware for the clients so I can achieve the following..
  • Stream 1080p flawlessly
  • Consume minimal power
  • Client is a Mini-ITX system

.. all at the lowest possible cost (as I am building 5..)
  • CPU: ?
  • Motherboard: ?
  • RAM: 2gb of whatever
  • HDD: OCZ Agility 3 60gb SSD
  • PSU: ?
  • Chasis: whatever's going cheap
  • (GC)Huh?? (if needed)


My main concern here is CPU/motherboard keeping in mind form factor (mini-itx) and performance. Power consumption isn't as important, I am more worried that I'll knock one of these bad boys up and the picture will lag/stutter.

What are people's experiences or thoughts?
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#2
An A6-3500 or Intel Pentium/i3 system based system would do very nicely.

One of the favorites here is mini-itx systems based on the A6-3500 APU and ASRock A75M-ITX motherboard.

Codename: A6-PACK!
Realan E-I5 A6-3500 build

Personally, I have built/used AMD A6-3500 and A8-3800, Intel G530, G620 and i3-2100 mini-ITX systems and they all play 1080p without a hitch.

The new IvyBridge G2120 and i3-3225 look very interesting.

For none of the aforementioned would you need other than the integrated GPU.


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#3
+1 on everything Dougie said.

Question: How will these 5 machines get the content from the servers? Network Cable, Wireless, PowerLine devices,....?
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#4
thanks a lot Dougie that's a great help. Was thinking of waiting around for the new Ivy Bridge.. I plan on using the clients for years to come but if yourself and others have found the A6 systems to work well then I may just go that way.

(2012-09-04, 16:50)GortWillSaveUs Wrote: Question: How will these 5 machines get the content from the servers? Network Cable, Wireless, PowerLine devices,....?
The machines will access the server via network cable yep. thanks for the +1 !
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#5
Since they'll all do the job with CPU power to spare, it comes down to your budget and if you're willing to pay a premium to get the latest and greatest. The prices run the gamut:

SandyBridge G530 (Intel HD graphics): $45
SandyBridge G630 (Intel HD graphics): $63
Llano A6-3500 (HD6530 graphics): $70
IvyBridge G2120 (Intel HD graphics): $100
SandyBridge i3-2120 (Intel HD2000 graphics): $117
IvyBridge i3-3220 (Intel HD2500 graphics): $130
SandyBridge i3-2105 (Intel HD3000 graphics): $130
IvyBridge i3-3225 (Intel HD4000 graphics): $150

For 1080p, these will all do the job. Even the G530 is a dual-core 2.4GHz processor which sometimes we need reminding is still very fast CPU! If you're considering other uses beside just 1080p, then look into the details and see if you need/want to spend more.

If these are going to just be mini-ITX clients with an SSD and no ODD then I of course have to recommend the E-i5 mini-ITX case Smile.
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#6
(2012-09-04, 17:53)Dougie Fresh Wrote: Since they'll all do the job with CPU power to spare, it comes down to your budget and if you're willing to pay a premium to get the latest and greatest. The prices run the gamut:

SandyBridge G530 (Intel HD graphics): $45
SandyBridge G630 (Intel HD graphics): $63
Llano A6-3500 (HD6530 graphics): $70
IvyBridge G2120 (Intel HD graphics): $100
SandyBridge i3-2120 (Intel HD2000 graphics): $117
IvyBridge i3-3220 (Intel HD2500 graphics): $130
SandyBridge i3-2105 (Intel HD3000 graphics): $130
IvyBridge i3-3225 (Intel HD4000 graphics): $150

For 1080p, these will all do the job. Even the G530 is a dual-core 2.4GHz processor which sometimes we need reminding is still very fast CPU! If you're considering other uses beside just 1080p, then look into the details and see if you need/want to spend more.

If these are going to just be mini-ITX clients with an SSD and no ODD then I of course have to recommend the E-i5 mini-ITX case Smile.

you said it all. I would think that his best shot at mutiple in expensive htpc's would be the the g series sandybridge
My HTPC AMD A8-3870K CPU/ SilverStone ML03B/ASRock MB-A75M /Seasonic SS-400ET/Corsair XMS3 4GB
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#7
(2012-09-04, 16:25)Dougie Fresh Wrote: An A6-3500 or Intel Pentium/i3 system based system would do very nicely.

One of the favorites here is mini-itx systems based on the A6-3500 APU and ASRock A75M-ITX motherboard.

Codename: A6-PACK!
Realan E-I5 A6-3500 build

Personally, I have built/used AMD A6-3500 and A8-3800, Intel G530, G620 and i3-2100 mini-ITX systems and they all play 1080p without a hitch.

The new IvyBridge G2120 and i3-3225 look very interesting.

For none of the aforementioned would you need other than the integrated GPU.


Blush Thank you for giving me credit.... you make me blush....

Dougie is great and knowledgeable ... if you guys need a new system.


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#8
Hey, credit where credit is due. It's a great idea and an affordable, powerful HTPC. There's a lot of threads here to on A6-PACK variants so there's a lot of knowledge. All I did was make it accessible for people who feel more comfortable building from a barebones than from scratch (and make it look nice!).
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