Your Very First HTPC? But Where do You Start?

Superorb · 2011-02-22 18:00

tigris Wrote:Thanks for the info! I was thinking of running some games on it.

What games were you thinking of running? My setup might be able to run an SNES/Sega emulator, but anything N64 or up it won't do. When I replace this system I'm going with an ION setup, probably Atom or a cheapy Celeron.

Paulkai · 2011-02-23 01:32

I have come across this case, I like the look of, what hardware spec would you suggest will be used for xbmc to play movies including 1080p
WESENA MINI ITX7- 2 CASE

eskro · 2011-02-23 01:49

Paulkai Wrote:what hardware spec would you suggest will be used for xbmc to play movies including 1080p

check links in my signature

Matt1701D · 2011-02-23 04:58

eskro, I am building one from scratch and have read a ton on the forum to determine the best HTPC setup. My plan was the following, can you comment on your thoughts and how this system compares to the ones you recommended, particularly playing full 1080P, bitstream audio to A/V receiver, and streaming netflix HD:

HTPC: Zotac ZBOX ZBOXHD-ND22-U Intel dual core CULV SU2300 NVIDIA ION graphics processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856173012

Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820226019

SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX40G 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227610

OS: Windows 7 Pro 64 bit

eskro · 2011-02-23 05:23

@Matt1701D
everything good except the bitstream part...
That ZOTAC cant do that....

bmcclure937 · 2011-02-23 05:31

Honestly, my next build I am going to get a $200 nettop (ION2). My GT430 is great for the home theater... and is great for future-proof. But I am going to run OpenELEC on a nettop for my second room/bedroom/kitchen.

eskro · 2011-02-23 06:25

-nm- delete plz Tongue

Superorb · 2011-02-23 17:06

eskro Wrote:-nm- delete plz

I see what you did there Wink

Hammi · 2011-03-03 18:55

eskro Wrote:[Mini-ITX] Atom 2x1.6Ghz + ION1 ($186)
[...]
Q. Which one of these can I use with XBMC Live (Linux)?
A. All of them but i don't recommend the $183 Zacate Mini-ITX build for now!!

There is a number of threads on the forum from people having issues with XBMC under Linux and ION chipset (e.g. here, here, here, and here), me being one of them.

I know that lots of people here don't have issues with ION and Dharma, so it's surely still worth recommending this setup. But maybe a disclaimer would be worthwhile.

Anyhow, I'm fed up with the hours I invested into reinstalling and tweaking the system over the last 2 months, without being able to resolve this. So I'm ready to try different hardware now. I want to stay away from Atom and ION this time and rather go with a low heat CPU (far more powerful than Atom) and a GT 220 (no GT 210 here available anymore) gfx card.

I'm thinking about an energy efficient AMD (X2 250e) or the pricier i3-2100T, both with 45W TDP... Probably rather the latter because of the additional capacity to be on the safe side (I want to de-interlace 1080i, maybe play some streaming movies...), even if I'll have to wait some more weeks before there will be ok Sandy Bridge mobos.

Superorb · 2011-03-03 19:30

^^ What about a Sempron 140? Low power, and it's more powerful than an Atom chip. Plus, you can unlock the 2nd core if you need the extra juice.

Superorb Fan Posts: 458 Joined: Jun 2009 Reputation: 0	2011-02-22 18:00 Post: #31 tigris Wrote:Thanks for the info! I was thinking of running some games on it. What games were you thinking of running? My setup might be able to run an SNES/Sega emulator, but anything N64 or up it won't do. When I replace this system I'm going with an ION setup, probably Atom or a cheapy Celeron.
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Paulkai Senior Member Posts: 287 Joined: May 2009 Reputation: 0	2011-02-23 01:32 Post: #32 I have come across this case, I like the look of, what hardware spec would you suggest will be used for xbmc to play movies including 1080p WESENA MINI ITX7- 2 CASE
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eskro Posting Freak Posts: 8,333 Joined: Nov 2010 Reputation: 162	2011-02-23 01:49 Post: #33 Paulkai Wrote:what hardware spec would you suggest will be used for xbmc to play movies including 1080p check links in my signature My G7 HTPC // eSkRo's HTPC Guide // Poofy's HTPC Guide // unRAID Guide // SSD Optimization thx :)
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eskro Posting Freak Posts: 8,333 Joined: Nov 2010 Reputation: 162	2011-02-23 05:23 Post: #35 @Matt1701D everything good except the bitstream part... That ZOTAC cant do that.... My G7 HTPC // eSkRo's HTPC Guide // Poofy's HTPC Guide // unRAID Guide // SSD Optimization thx :)
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eskro Posting Freak Posts: 8,333 Joined: Nov 2010 Reputation: 162	2011-02-23 06:25 Post: #37 -nm- delete plz My G7 HTPC // eSkRo's HTPC Guide // Poofy's HTPC Guide // unRAID Guide // SSD Optimization thx :)
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Superorb Fan Posts: 458 Joined: Jun 2009 Reputation: 0	2011-02-23 17:06 Post: #38 eskro Wrote:-nm- delete plz I see what you did there
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Superorb Fan Posts: 458 Joined: Jun 2009 Reputation: 0	2011-03-03 19:30 Post: #40 ^^ What about a Sempron 140? Low power, and it's more powerful than an Atom chip. Plus, you can unlock the 2nd core if you need the extra juice.
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