1st HTPC Build Have Parts. XBMC Forum Advice Needed
#1
Hey everyone..I am starting to gather all the list of parts i need for my 1st HTPC build. I thought i should spend a bit more and build a powerfull system that would meet all my PC Needs and also function as a dedicated HTPC. I already have a external lcd monitor so I could use this as a home PC also.

I will put up two post one for this one and another for a less powerfull system.

I Thought about using XBMC live but then that would defeat the purpose of having a powerfull system if im only using XBMC. So anyway this is the list of parts i plan on using.

Case:
"poofyhairguy" lol suggested this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814500147

MOBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...HDMI%20USB
Or:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116283 i found this for $70 this is great deal plus i dont think the i3 is worth it for this htpc. the dual core is powerfull enough i think.

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231253

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227510
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6822148231

I plan on getting a new laptop and i was going to take out the 5400 rpm drive it comes with and use it with my HTPC build..But im not sure so im open to suggestions.

Some thoughts i had about the build:
1. The case has a 300w PSU is that enough juice to run everything?
2. Using the 7200 RPM seagate how much of a difference would i see at the XBMC menu scrolling and etc?
3. from what i gather the new Dharma build will support hardware accelaration?
4. What would be the cheapest remote solution for me..I just need basic stuff Subtitle button. on off info volume etc nothing fancy cheaper the better?

total cost is ?? idk depends which video card i get

with the dual core and the new case i save $109..
i will also look for a new 220gt video card..Just wondering if i need it? i wont be doing gaming so poofyhairguy what do say?
Reply
#2
Ok so this is my 2nd build for less powerfull Hopefully cheaper tooBig Grin

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

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

VIDEO CARD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814500164

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116074

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820134113

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6822148231

I just realized i have not counted total cost for each build lol...i will though
forgot this also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

i want to stream with that to the HTPC

Ok so total cost for this build is $288 not including the nas
Reply
#3
Guys im sorry i think this should be moved to the hardware discussion. i didnt see it sorry
Reply
#4
I will comment on each build:

Audible101 Wrote:Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814500147

MOBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...HDMI%20USB
Or:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819115222

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231253

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227510
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6822148231

I like this build overall. A few notes:

-Get the Gigabyte board. They never fail me.

-Get a better GPU. The 9500 GT is dated. Find a 220 GT to match your other parts.

-Get the SSD. There is not a single HTPC upgrade I have liked as much as adding a SSD to my HTPC. Makes it boot SOOOO fast. Do it. Seriously it will make a big difference in the interface responsiveness.

-The PSU is enough

-Here is a good remote:

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

I use it. Works great with XBMC.

Overall I like the build.

Reply
#5
Audible101 Wrote:MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

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

VIDEO CARD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814500164

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116074

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820134113

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6822148231

I just realized i have not counted total cost for each build lol...i will though
forgot this also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

i want to stream with that to the HTPC

Ok so total cost for this build is $288 not including the nas

I HATE this build. No offense, but compared to your first build this is a freak show:

-The non-ION mobo plus an ION GPU!!!! WTF!!! You really hurt my soul with that.

Just get a freaking ION mobo!!!!! Here is the one I use:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813500036

Seriously the ION box I linked above is able to play my pure Avatar Blu Ray rip perfectly - that means it can play the meanest HD video on the planet. I understand that you think you need more CPU than an Atom, but unless the second box is doing anything other than XBMC you don't. Take the money saved and buy another SSD. HDs in HTPCs really suck once you try a SSD.

My ION box with an SSD has a faster interface than my quad core with a HD. SSD is where its at!

Here is a case I think is superior for HTPC as well (from others reviews):

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

Next question: What are you doing for a NAS? I will help you pick out parts for an Unraid server if you want...

Reply
#6
hahaha yea that second build was a late night idea.

I plan on using this for a NAS. I have two, 2TB samsung 5400 eco spinpoint HDD. U mention UNRAID? why raid 0 why be much faster streaming. I dont care so much for raid but its fast why do you ray unraid?
http://www.amazon.com/Synology-Station-D...B00275G0LO
or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XQ3...VYYHXFXYCZ

Total cost for the 2nd build with the MOBO you suggested is 356.
For 1st build total would be $468.

So 1080p playback is not a problem. But is that Avatar is .mkv format? or m2ts or mpg4. I know that would be a file around 40 gb. i doubt it could handle a mkv file in that size? right, wrong? Are you using a video card or just the onboard gpu?
Also since i will be using the nas how does that work with the ssd since all my files are on the nas..Its reading from the nas so what is really the ssd going to be doing?

Also this MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product looks identical but minus the wi-fi which i dont need..so wouldnt this be be better for me if it does not affect performance?

Some deciding factors for me
1. That $100 difference could go towards a SSD
2. Performance VS Price
3. What would i really be doing with the HTPC.
Reply
#7
Audible101 Wrote:I plan on using this for a NAS. I have two, 2TB samsung 5400 eco spinpoint HDD. U mention UNRAID? why raid 0 why be much faster streaming. I dont care so much for raid but its fast why do you ray unraid?

I like Unraid for a home built server because UnRaid has this to offer:

- Lose the parity drive, rebuild array with no data loss
- Lose data drive, rebuild array with no data loss
- Lose parity and data drive at the same time, only partial data loss (unlike RAID 5 which loses everything)
- Plug and play different drives to add to storage

Quote:So 1080p playback is not a problem. But is that Avatar is .mkv format? or m2ts or mpg4. I know that would be a file around 40 gb. i doubt it could handle a mkv file in that size? right, wrong? Are you using a video card or just the onboard gpu?

You use the onboard ION GPU. The largest Avatar file was a m2ts file ripped straight from the disk, but I also have played my finalized mkv of near the same size (just different audio).

I didn't believe it at first either, but ION delivers. You can't fit more on a Blu Ray than Avatar- I consider it to be pretty future proof. Seriously put the extra money towards an SSD.

Quote:Also since i will be using the nas how does that work with the ssd since all my files are on the nas..Its reading from the nas so what is really the ssd going to be doing?

The SSD makes it boot lightening fast (mine is under 20 secs) to feel more like an appliance, and to make the menus incredibly snappy. It is a wise investment I think.

Quote:Also this MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product looks identical but minus the wi-fi which i dont need..so wouldnt this be be better for me if it does not affect performance?

That board is fine also!

Reply
#8
Ok so i think i will go with the ion boards and the SSD.. I hope it will be enough for me. thanks for the input poofyhairguy will keep updated with pics.
Reply

Logout Mark Read Team Forum Stats Members Help
1st HTPC Build Have Parts. XBMC Forum Advice Needed0