2012-09-08, 21:37
Hi guys,
i am finally moving into my own flat with big sofa and TV, so now for the most important part - awsome media center :)) I have no experience with HTPC, so I would like your help...
First things first - I have read both "Your Very First HTPC" and "Poofyhairguy's HTPC Recommendation Thread", and this was good starting point, but my idea is a little bit more - instead of having separate XBMC box, separate NAS, separate wifi router, I would love to build all-in-one. But since this would be running 24/7, it should not be power hungry beast :) And of course, it must be as quiet as possible...
So basically my idea is :
- Motherboard with integrated low-power CPU and ideally graphics too - powerfull enough to run 1080p (2D, i am not really fan of 3D)
- Some big "green" HD, for example 3TB WD Green for media storage
- Some small SSD for Linux+XBMC+other services (torrent downloader, routing software, FTP and SMB server ...)
- Since I have relatively good stereo (Denon 710ae + Magnat Quantum 555), but my amplifier doesnt have digital audio input, some good audio card into slot (some Asus Xonar will be fine; cheap audio codecs on motherboards are not an option)
- There must be WIFI adapter (since this will be access point+router for 1 other PC, tablet, phone, visitors :) - on motherboard, or card
- Some case to hold it all together, design is important, since this will be center of the living room
- Something to enable control of XBMC with some universal IR remote control (I would like to have 1 to control TV + amplifier + XBMC; possibly some logitech harmony...)
Well, and now for your help with picking right stuff - mainly motherboard+case+power supply.
1. Is there possibility to run this on some pico-PSU and really slim case? For example SILVERSTONE LC19B In this case, WIFI must be on motherboard, because there is only 1 extension slot (for Xonar)
2. If you would recommend bigger case with more powerfull PSU, I really like this one Zalman HD501, but I have no idea, what PSU shall I use for this case... some standard 300w seems like overkill (and power waste+noise..)
3. I have no idea which motherboard to pick (to ensure good compatibility with XBMC - i have read AMD have some trouble here..)
Well, thats about it for now, if i have forgotten something, ask... sorry for my bad english, and I am really looking forward to hear your tips :)
i am finally moving into my own flat with big sofa and TV, so now for the most important part - awsome media center :)) I have no experience with HTPC, so I would like your help...
First things first - I have read both "Your Very First HTPC" and "Poofyhairguy's HTPC Recommendation Thread", and this was good starting point, but my idea is a little bit more - instead of having separate XBMC box, separate NAS, separate wifi router, I would love to build all-in-one. But since this would be running 24/7, it should not be power hungry beast :) And of course, it must be as quiet as possible...
So basically my idea is :
- Motherboard with integrated low-power CPU and ideally graphics too - powerfull enough to run 1080p (2D, i am not really fan of 3D)
- Some big "green" HD, for example 3TB WD Green for media storage
- Some small SSD for Linux+XBMC+other services (torrent downloader, routing software, FTP and SMB server ...)
- Since I have relatively good stereo (Denon 710ae + Magnat Quantum 555), but my amplifier doesnt have digital audio input, some good audio card into slot (some Asus Xonar will be fine; cheap audio codecs on motherboards are not an option)
- There must be WIFI adapter (since this will be access point+router for 1 other PC, tablet, phone, visitors :) - on motherboard, or card
- Some case to hold it all together, design is important, since this will be center of the living room
- Something to enable control of XBMC with some universal IR remote control (I would like to have 1 to control TV + amplifier + XBMC; possibly some logitech harmony...)
Well, and now for your help with picking right stuff - mainly motherboard+case+power supply.
1. Is there possibility to run this on some pico-PSU and really slim case? For example SILVERSTONE LC19B In this case, WIFI must be on motherboard, because there is only 1 extension slot (for Xonar)
2. If you would recommend bigger case with more powerfull PSU, I really like this one Zalman HD501, but I have no idea, what PSU shall I use for this case... some standard 300w seems like overkill (and power waste+noise..)
3. I have no idea which motherboard to pick (to ensure good compatibility with XBMC - i have read AMD have some trouble here..)
Well, thats about it for now, if i have forgotten something, ask... sorry for my bad english, and I am really looking forward to hear your tips :)