[niietzshe]

Hey everyone, I've been thinking a lot lately about upgrading my main HTPC.
Currently I have a Revo in living room (XBMCbuntu), Shuttle in bedroom (OpenElec), drobo for storage and a cubox running archlinux for all backend stuff including mysql library syncing etc.

I'm looking at this case:
http://www.streacom.com/products/fc5-evo...s-chassis/

My question(s) are about what components. Ion always used to be the system of choice and everyone stayed away from ATI graphics cards last time I looked, but this doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Fanless also seems a bit daring to me, not sure if it can handle 3D 1080p bluray without getting too hot, would going up to the fc9 be better as it's less compact?

So, any advice on motherboard and graphics card to get me started (can I stick a fanless graphics card in there, or do I really need one with a fan)? Money isn't particularly an issue, I just want something that'll be powerful enough to run what I want without making much noise, but I have a tendency to go for the high specs, which I don't think I need in this case (thinking i3).

It'll run as a pure xbmc machine, probably openelec, and be in standby most of the time as I have the cubox for server stuff. Will need to run 3D 1080p mkv's with DTS-HD audio without stutter or freaking out for getting too hot.

If I'm barking up the wrong tree with fanless, please let me know and I'll start looking at a case which can house some big quiet fans.
Thanks for any advice.
Niietzshe

[RaggSokk3n]

i3 2xxxt or 3xxx should do the trick, without any need for dedicated GPU :-)

[niietzshe]

Ok so I could actually go for a FC8 Evo:
http://www.streacom.com/products/fc8-evo...s-chassis/

Nano PSU:
http://www.streacom.com/products/nano150-psu/

Intel Core i3 3220 3.30GHz (no need for a faster and/or dual right?):
http://www.ebuyer.com/393554-intel-core-...0637i33220

SATA-II SSD:
http://www.ebuyer.com/369183-corsair-30g...sd-v30gb2a

Ram = 4GB or 8GB? Nothing special needed for this?

MiniITX Motherboard with good integrated GPU? Suggestions? *Must decode Dolby-HD/DTS-HD*

Sony Bluray drive:
http://www.quietpc.com/st-slot-bluray

Thanks for the pointer. I just want to get this perfect, no frame skipping at 24fps etc and really high quality video/audio when watching a bluray disc.
Niietzshe

[niietzshe]

Hmm, everything I've seen from Bluray and eskro seem to show a seperate GPU, and A6 seems to be their choice...
I'm continuing to do research, just want to hear peoples opinions so I get it right first time.
Thanks
Niietzshe

[bossanova808]

See my signature for an example silent build....working faultlessly since built.

I think consensus is the new Trinity nudges out the Core i3/i5 from an HTPC perspective (good article at anandtech on that) - but I don't think there's a lot in it really. The i3 and AMD APUs are easily able to do 1080p without a fan....mine never gets over about 40c even under heavy htpc use.

[bluray]

Hmm, everything I've seen from Bluray and eskro seem to show a seperate GPU, and A6 seems to be their choice...
I'm continuing to do research, just want to hear peoples opinions so I get it right first time.
Thanks
Niietzshe

Hmmm....I posted so many HTPC suggestions, and I don't remember suggested a discrete GPU in it. If it is AMD Zacate, yes you might need a discrete GPU. Here are some of my suggestions-

- Simply the best fanless mini-pc....
- Build or Buy
- [Mini-ITX] Intel Core I3-2120T, 2x 2.60GHz + HD2000 35W (crazy low power)
- [Mini-ITX] Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz + HD3000 65W
- [Mini-ITX] Intel Core i3-2100T Sandy Bridge 2.5GHz + HD2000 35W
- Great Gift (AMD A8-3850)
- Powerful HTPC on a budget

Just to answer your question- if you have the iGPU's in Sandy Bridge and iVy Bridge, you don't need a discrete GPU. The HD2500 iGPU in your list should be able to playback blu-ray 1080P video and bitstreaming HD audio with ease....

[niietzshe]

Fantastic news, thanks guys.
I'll probably start building up a FC8 with Sandy Bridge i3, HD4000 iGPU...

Cheers
Niietzshe

[touser]

I just wanted to mention the intel NUC is scheduled to be released this month, i've been eagerly awaiting it myself. It isn't fanless but intel is claiming it will run just about silently. I currently use an intel thin mini-itx system which is very, very quiet with an i3-2120t (especially compared to a revo or zotac box). Here is a little info on the NUC: http://hexus.net/tech/news/systems/45141...g-october/

[niietzshe]

Thanks for the info, but I'm wanting a setup in the living room that I can update as hardware/software progresses. Going to a board like that seems like a step backwards a bit in that sense; Good to know your i3 setup works nicely though.

[niietzshe]

Ok so this is looking like my build so far:

Streacom FC8 EVO - £130

Streacom Pico PSU - £95

Intel i3 - HD4000 - £111

Asus P8H77-I Intel H77 (Socket 1155) Motherboard - £84

2 x 2GB Corsair DDR3 Low-Voltage Single Channel RAM - £24

Corsair 60GB SSD - £60

Does this look ok? I basically picked the motherboard at random, not sure exactly what I need, as far as I'm concerned if it supports the cpu, has ram slots, ethernet and hdmi I'm good to go? And just went for cheap single channel ram with low voltage.

But if there's anywhere I could do better, or if I've gone too much and won't get any benefit, please tell me.
The pico psu seems expensive, can I use a 3rd party one or is it not recommended?

I'm going to start buying up the components as I see them if this is all good.
Thanks
Niietzshe

[bossanova808]

Be very careful on mobo choice with that case - go with one of the streacom recommended ones if at all possible. See ym build ntoes for potential issues....

[niietzshe]

I'm presuming you mean about the heatpipe issue?
The RAM slots AND power socket seem to be at the bottom of the image, out of the way of the heatpipes, which should connect to the case at the right hand side of the mobo.

This is correct yes?
MOBO IMAGE