[Flomaster]

so my old Desktop has lived a long good life, but my Asus A7n8x Deluxe with atlong XP3000 cpu has run its coarse. it can't play 1080P I do not have HDMI output, its BIG LOUD and shuts down / freezes way to MUCH...

so here is my idea for a new HTPC let me know what you all think any suggestions or recommendation are welcome.

I am going to be running Linux Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid desktop and XBMC this machine will be downloading like a Mofo from newsgroups and playing Tv Shows, Movies, and Music.


these are from FRYS Electronics

Mobo:
ZOTAC IONITX-G-E SYNERGY Atom N330 1.6GHz Dual-Core Mini ITX Intel Motherboard $154.99


Memory: not sure whats good its been ages since I bought computer gear
Extreme Performance DDR2 / 2GB (2x1GB) / PC2-6400 (800MHz) / Low Latency DIMM Kit / PDC22G6400LLK $49.99

Case: want it to look like it belongs in my entertainment system
Silverstone Grandia GD05B Black HTPC mATX Computer Case $89.99

PSU: gotta go Green here
Antec Earthwatts EA 380D Green PSU 380w ATX Power Supply $49.99



Total= $344

this is $100 cheaper than the Asrock330-HT


I have 3 sata Hard Drives, and Dvd drive so im set there.
let me know if anything I am planning on buying is not going work.


-=Jason=-

[poofyhairguy]

I really like you enthusiasm. You just brightened up the hardware forum.

I LOVE that mobo from your build- its very similar to mine. But the case and power supply you picked (even though I LOVE both of them) is for a Micro ATX mobos and the mobo you picked is a Mini ITX mobo. Its mismatched.

So you have two choices: Go bigger and get a Micro ATX Mobo+ Normal CPU or Go Mini ITX and get a proper Mini ITX case.

For me the answer comes down to this: do you care about playing Flash video? If you care about Flash (say you want to watch Hulu) then you need more power than the ION can provide. Get a AMD Micro ATX mobo, a cheap GPU and a cheap AMD CPU and everything else on your list. Here is suggestions:

Something like this mobo+CPU:

http://www.frys.com/product/6118799

Plus this something like this GPU:

http://www.frys.com/product/6054888?site...IN_RSLT_PG

If you don't need Flash and you want to go small (its why I did), then you need to just get a good Mini ITX case to go with your ION mobo. Most Mini ITX cases come with a power supply. Here is my recommendation:

http://www.frys.com/product/6170419?site...IN_RSLT_PG

Comes with a 150 watt power supply, which is more than enough power.

Hope I helped!

[cowfodder]

I can vouch for that mobo. It's been great for me. Running live off of a 4gb flash drive with 2gb ram, a 500gb WD green drive and Blu-Ray.

[Flomaster]

damn I was digging the smaller case until I saw it only takes 2.5" hard drives I only have 3.5" drives and JUST last week bought a 1TB WD 10ears sata green drive.

this case here : http://www.frys.com/product/6164919

will house my 3.5" drives and comes with 200watt power supply it will also bring my total from $344 to $275 saving me $$$
or I can go with this case for $20 more
http://www.frys.com/product/5895753?site...IN_RSLT_PG

I dont really NEED a nice HTPC case it would just be a BAMF factor when I show off my XBMC.


-=Jason=-

[cowfodder]

I've read good things about the thermaltake case.

[poofyhairguy]

If you like the style of the Thermaltake, then go for it. 200w is MORE than enough power (Even for like 3 HDs).

I would prefer the Thermaltake because the other case uses a Slim DVDrom, which I learned in my build is EXPENSIVE.

If you will allow me to switch from Frys to Newegg, let me introduce you to by far the most popular mini itx HTPC case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

[Flomaster]

only reason for Frys is I am going to be near one this weekend and was planning on buying in the store rather than waiting for shipping and chance of damaging of my packages. Frys might have more stuff on the shelf the website doesn't show.

Now say I do want to Hulu am I correct that the ionitx board is not powerful enough to run it?


-=Jason=-

[poofyhairguy]

Now say I do want to Hulu am I correct that the ionitx board is not powerful enough to run it?

An Atom processor is not enough to run HD flash. As it is to get best performance with even with SD Flash on an ION box you really need to use Windows+Flash 10.1.

If you are dealing with a site that allows for you to get at the stream you can use XBMC's internal decoders and you are fine. Hulu and Netflix unfortunately don't let you at the stream (very much on purpose).

Basically ION boxes are the perfect devices for playback of local content. You want streaming content? Then you need something more like a real PC.

[jmarshall]

I believe Hulu at least is semi-feasible in XBMC (uses rtmpe) but it's very much a game of cat n mouse. Netflix (silverlight) is out though.

[Flomaster]

hrm maybe going bigger is better, I just want a quite system that will house my 3 sata hard drives and allow for 1080P playback, since I am building new I might as well build for Hulu so now my quest for a new Mobo, CPU, and Video card is not over
and I don't want to blow a lot of $$$ would like to keep it cheap as possible

Poofyhair guy would this be equal to if not better than the zotac ionitx ?

Something like this mobo+CPU:

http://www.frys.com/product/6118799

Plus this something like this GPU:

http://www.frys.com/product/6054888?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah, that mobo combo plus that GPU is way more powerful than an ION system.

[Flomaster]

Yeah, that mobo combo plus that GPU is way more powerful than an ION system.

looks like I'll just have to see what the store has to offer and build it there. I am not really hard pressed for a small footprint but have heard so much good things about the Zotac Ion boards I figured that was the way to go, I haven't really ready anything recent about building a larger sized HTPCs

-=Jason=-

[poofyhairguy]

You had a good start on the first post- I like that case and I like that PSU. Just go an see what combo deals they have...

[Flomaster]

You had a good start on the first post- I like that case and I like that PSU. Just go an see what combo deals they have...

yeah I really like the case too it matches my black Brushed aluminum Receiver perfect. maybe I should go to the store with out my wife because I plan on spending HOURS there


-=Jason=-

[highlandsun]

I believe Hulu at least is semi-feasible in XBMC (uses rtmpe) but it's very much a game of cat n mouse. Netflix (silverlight) is out though.

Yes, Hulu is working fine at the moment, no Flash needed. It will probably run into more bumps along the way but they tend to get patched up again pretty quickly. There's only so much crap they can throw on top of it before it starts impacting their server load and thus becomes too expensive. Once they realize how much it's costing them to play this losing game, things should settle down again.

http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=561...tcount=330