2014-07-13, 15:13
I just bought a TV for my mom and would like to buy HTPC as well. I will install windows8 on it so she can browse web and be able to remote into her work's PC if needed.
At the moment I have always on PC which serves content for her smartphone through plex but would love to just connect external HDD to the new HTPC and serve content without leaving other PC on . Through XBMC to TV and probably just a regular sharing to smartphones.
All the content will be 720p with a few SD and 1080p files.
Low power consumption and form factor is a high priority.
I have two options:
1. Used HTPC
Case: Streacom F1CWS Evo Chassis
Power adapter: 120W
CPU: i5-3470T
Motherboard: Intel DQ77KB
SSD: 60GB Intel 525
RAM: 4GB RAM DDR3
Price: $320
2. New barebones + ssd and ram from craigslist
Zotac CI320 (new from shop, has quadcore N2930 celeron inside, wifi adapter and IR) - $210
SSD Kingston V300 120GB (yeah I aware of everything what Kingston is doing with their SSD) - $60
Elpida 4GB PC3 1600MHz - $30
Price: $300
Prices are slightly higher over here so keep that in mind.
I do realize that #1 is way more powerful but it's almost 2 years old and probably consumes way more electricity than Zotac. And isn't Zotac powerful enough for my tasks?
Which one would you pick and why?
At the moment I have always on PC which serves content for her smartphone through plex but would love to just connect external HDD to the new HTPC and serve content without leaving other PC on . Through XBMC to TV and probably just a regular sharing to smartphones.
All the content will be 720p with a few SD and 1080p files.
Low power consumption and form factor is a high priority.
I have two options:
1. Used HTPC
Case: Streacom F1CWS Evo Chassis
Power adapter: 120W
CPU: i5-3470T
Motherboard: Intel DQ77KB
SSD: 60GB Intel 525
RAM: 4GB RAM DDR3
Price: $320
2. New barebones + ssd and ram from craigslist
Zotac CI320 (new from shop, has quadcore N2930 celeron inside, wifi adapter and IR) - $210
SSD Kingston V300 120GB (yeah I aware of everything what Kingston is doing with their SSD) - $60
Elpida 4GB PC3 1600MHz - $30
Price: $300
Prices are slightly higher over here so keep that in mind.
I do realize that #1 is way more powerful but it's almost 2 years old and probably consumes way more electricity than Zotac. And isn't Zotac powerful enough for my tasks?
Which one would you pick and why?