[Giovanni95816]

I have been reading and educating myself with this great forum for more then a couple of months now. I started XBMC with old XBOX, then purchased the Raspeberry PI and installed XBMC eden 11 on my current PC. The Raspberry PI was a fun little project to start but doesn't fit my need anymore. I wanted a new HTPC for my house.

I wanted to buy a built set, a Lenovo H520s part# 25612ZU (Intel I5-2320, 4GB etc) but I realized that with the same money and a bit more I can build something more personal, more current and unique. I would like to build a strong htpc, being able to bitstreaming HD music, DTS-HS etc, watch 1080p, running windows 7 and being able to play nicely some of the latest PC game. I have a dilemma if build a HTPC mini-ITX with Intel I3-3225 plus HD7000 series or micro-ATX with AMD A10-5800k plus HD7000 series. Below are my two shopping lists.
Which one you guys recommend? Ideas and comments?
Your help is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,

Giovanni

Mini ITX with INTEL CPU:
Case - Apex Mi-008 (includes PSU 250W - is the 250W enought?)
Motherboard - AsRock B75M-ITX LGA
CPU – Intel I3-3225
GPU – ATI HD 7750 (not sure if it can fit in the case)
Memory - Kingston HyperX 8GB
Hard Drive - SSD 2.5" SATA III 128GB Samsung
Blueray -LG Electronics UH12LS29

Micro ATX with AMD CPU:
Case – Silverstone ML03B microATX
PSU - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W PSU
Motherboard - AsRock FM2A85X Extreme6 FM2 AMD A85X
CPU - AMD A10-5800k
GPU – ATI HD 7750 (not sure if it can fit in the case)
Memory Kingston HyperX 8GB
Hard Drive SSD 2.5" SATA III 128GB Samsung
Blueray -LG Electronics UH12LS29

[Dougie Fresh]

Choice C:

Micro ATX with Intel CPU:
Case – Silverstone ML03B microATX
PSU - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W PSU
Motherboard - ASRock B75M LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU - Intel i3-3220 CPU
GPU – Sapphire or PowerColor low profile HD 7750 graphics card
Memory Kingston HyperX 8GB
Hard Drive SSD 2.5" SATA III 128GB Samsung
Blueray -LG Electronics UH12LS29

My only concern is check the depth of the blu-ray player with the power supply to make sure they fit. You may need to choose differently.

[Giovanni95816]

Choice C:

Micro ATX with Intel CPU:
Case – Silverstone ML03B microATX
PSU - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W PSU
Motherboard - ASRock B75M LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU - Intel i3-3220 CPU
GPU – Sapphire or PowerColor low profile HD 7750 graphics card
Memory Kingston HyperX 8GB
Hard Drive SSD 2.5" SATA III 128GB Samsung
Blueray -LG Electronics UH12LS29

My only concern is check the depth of the blu-ray player with the power supply to make sure they fit. You may need to choose differently.

Dougie,
Thanks for your input . I really appreciated.
Can you please tell me any specific reasons why not to get the I3-3225 and/or A10-5800K?
It is just cheaper or there some other technical issue I am not aware?

[Dougie Fresh]

You've indicated you want a discrete graphics card so that eliminates any advantage the integrated GPU in one chip might have over another.

First, if comparing the i3-3220 vs. i3-3225, the extra $20 for the i3-3225 is just for the better integrated GPU, the CPUs are the same (see http://ark.intel.com/compare/65693,65692). The i3-3220 makes more sense on that basis.

Second, If comparing the i3-3220 vs. A10-5800K just on the basis of CPU (not GPU since again you're using a discrete GPU), the i3-3220 CPU performs better, throws less heat and uses less power (see here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/A...eview/1646)

It'd be a totally different story if you were not using a discrete GPU.

[Giovanni95816]

You've indicated you want a discrete graphics card so that eliminates any advantage the integrated GPU in one chip might have over another.

First, if comparing the i3-3220 vs. i3-3225, the extra $20 for the i3-3225 is just for the better integrated GPU, the CPUs are the same (see http://ark.intel.com/compare/65693,65692). The i3-3220 makes more sense on that basis.

Second, If comparing the i3-3220 vs. A10-5800K just on the basis of CPU (not GPU since again you're using a discrete GPU), the i3-3220 CPU performs better, throws less heat and uses less power (see here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/A...eview/1646)

It'd be a totally different story if you were not using a discrete GPU.

That makes sense!!
So for running XBMC, playing 1080p, HD music etc and playing games at a discrete level your option C looks the choice right?

[bluray]

Since you are using a discrete GPU, this cheaper and low power iVy "Pentium G2120" should be fine too....

[Beer40oz]

Yes C looks like the right choice.... a little more horse power from intel and your separate GPU...

I have not messed with the ATI HD 7750 so I can't comment on how good of a gaming experience you will have.

[Giovanni95816]

Choice C:

Micro ATX with Intel CPU:
Case – Silverstone ML03B microATX
PSU - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W PSU
Motherboard - ASRock B75M LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU - Intel i3-3220 CPU
GPU – Sapphire or PowerColor low profile HD 7750 graphics card
Memory Kingston HyperX 8GB
Hard Drive SSD 2.5" SATA III 128GB Samsung
Blueray -LG Electronics UH12LS29

My only concern is check the depth of the blu-ray player with the power supply to make sure they fit. You may need to choose differently.

Thanks.
How am I suppose to check the measurement by the cut sheets?