[mark238]

Hey everyone this is my first post, great community you have here. Its a long time since i used XBMC back in the days of the old xbox. Currently im using PS3 Media Server to stream my media from my desktop, its not doing my setup justice as it does not support full HD audio which I only get from burning Bluray's. So a HTPC is the way forward.

My current setup consists of 50" Pioneer 500M, Pioneer SC LX71 Receiver, and KEF 5.1 KHT3005SE Speakers.

My desktop which would have to suffice as the server for the time being (NAS to be added later) Consists of an intel Q6600 cpu, 4gb of ram and 2tb hard disks for storage. Ps everything is connected via gigabit ethernet.

What im thinking of putting together is the following combination.

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H

http://www.giga-byte.co.uk/products/prod...id=3503#ov

Processor
Intel Core i3 530

Harddrive
OCZ Vertex 40gb

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/so...ii_2_5-ssd

Ram
2gb of DDR3

Case
OrigenAE S10V

http://www.origenae.co.uk/en/htpc_s10v.htm

I would like to add a Satelite card/TV tuner at a later date and maybe more internal storage. My main goal from this build is to play full Bluray/Remuxed structures trouble free. Would this build cut it?

Thanks for your input!
Mark

[poofyhairguy]

Only thing I think is go for either the 30gb or the 60gb Vertex 1 drives. Those faster 40s are a waste for this setup. Otherwise looks good- an i3 can cut through everything you throw at it!

[mark238]

Only thing I think is go for either the 30gb or the 60gb Vertex 1 drives. Those faster 40s are a waste for this setup. Otherwise looks good- an i3 can cut through everything you throw at it!

Thanks for the heads up, looking forward to putting this together now!

[maxinc]

I recently built my HTPC based on the i3 530 and was really impressed. Really silent with the SSD running very cool and with HW decoding, plays very high bit rate 1080p media effortlessly.

I used a cheap chassis with a silent psu (140mm fan) and it's hidden inside a tight cupboard. Overall it generates less heat than the PS3.

[mark238]

Which PSU did you go for? At the moment it's my only concern to make sure it's quiet. The PS3 is rather loud and annoying.

[maxinc]

I got something from Cooler Master that was in the shop and I can't remember the exact model other than it had silent writing on it and it has a 14cm fan. If I had some time to plan ahead, I would have gone for something on here http://www.quietpc.com

[>>X<<]

Just to point out you wont get full HD audio from xbmc unless you use the DSPlayer branch

Nice screen btw I have the 500A

[mark238]

Just to point out you wont get full HD audio from xbmc unless you use the DSPlayer branch

Nice screen btw I have the 500A

Thanks for the heads up, think it's the 500A I have the one with the media box. There still refered to as the benchmark for plasmas over here. Just a shame Pioneer stopped making TV's and sold the Kuro rights to Panasonic.