Htpc build help

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dtalbot777

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Hi guys and gals

Looking to build my first home theater PC. I only just installed XBMC on my desktop and I am blown away. I now want to get this onto my beautiful 40" LED.

Options:
1) Xtreamer Ultra (upgrades doubtful, but something sleek and ready to go out the box is appealing +/- R3300)
2) build htpc (upgrades in the future a big plus)

Parts:

Chassis
the most difficult to find! It doesn't need to be pretty as it will be in a TV unit behind tinted glass.
I quiet like this one: http://www.takealot.com/electronics/cfi-6719-black-mini-atx-chassis,5313651
Only concern is the PSU, take2 says 60w but the website says 150w
or the http://www.takealot.com/electronics...-vesa-mounting-kit-flex-atx-150w-powe,5830324

CPU &
Motherboard
Is a core i3 with built in HD graphics fine, and a graphics card unnecessary? Or is a MB with on board graphics the way to go? HDMI required obviously.
http://www.takealot.com/electronics...sor-3-10ghz-dual-core-socket-1155-cpu,9652328

Need some help on the MB. I'm not sure on this one? Would appreciate any ideas.

Ram
2Gb i think will be fine.


HTPC with this kind of spec is looking really good for about R2500.

Suggestions?
Things i haven't considered?
 
dtalbot777 said:
Hi guys and gals

Looking to build my first home theater PC. I only just installed XBMC on my desktop and I am blown away. I now want to get this onto my beautiful 40" LED.

Options:
1) Xtreamer Ultra (upgrades doubtful, but something sleek and ready to go out the box is appealing +/- R3300)
2) build htpc (upgrades in the future a big plus)

Parts:

Chassis
the most difficult to find! It doesn't need to be pretty as it will be in a TV unit behind tinted glass.
I quiet like this one: http://www.takealot.com/electronics/cfi-6719-black-mini-atx-chassis,5313651
Only concern is the PSU, take2 says 60w but the website says 150w
or the http://www.takealot.com/electronics...-vesa-mounting-kit-flex-atx-150w-powe,5830324

CPU &
Motherboard
Is a core i3 with built in HD graphics fine, and a graphics card unnecessary? Or is a MB with on board graphics the way to go? HDMI required obviously.
http://www.takealot.com/electronics...sor-3-10ghz-dual-core-socket-1155-cpu,9652328

Need some help on the MB. I'm not sure on this one? Would appreciate any ideas.

Ram
2Gb i think will be fine.


HTPC with this kind of spec is looking really good for about R2500.

Suggestions?
Things i haven't considered?
Click to expand...

Even a dual-core cpu is perfect for a HTPC. Don't use onboard graphics, rather get a cheapie graphics card.

You're aware that that case is a mini-atx right?
 
Oh also interested in replacing my blu ray player with this as well. So add another R1000 for the drive. Does playing Blu-ray change the specs at all with regards to the i3 handling the graphics?
 
Yea that's why i'm not sure on the MB?
So would you say 775 MB and cheapie card (suggestions?) or a core i3 with HD graphics? (if i'm reading your reply correctly you still prefer the card instead of on CPU or board?)
I'm personally leaning to the newer technology but being a newbie to this i don't want to do the wrong thing.
 
Last edited:
I have that CFi case and it doesn't take 5.25" DVD/Bluray drives, which means that you'll be paying a MASSIVE premium for the slim 5.25" drives. I'm really not impressed with the CFi case, because the space is very limited and it came with only 1 fan, which wasn't enough for my Intel Atom D525.

Ask the guys about the HP Proliant Microserver. You would have to install a low profile dedicated graphics card with HDMI out, because that HP Proliant Microserver doesn't have audio out, and its CPU is too weak to decode 1080p videos, which is why you'll need a graphics card to do the decoding for you.
The HP Proliant Microserver costs R999, and it includes the motherboard (with VGA out), CPU (dual core AMD), 1GB DDR3 RAM, 250GB HDD, case and power supply. The case has space for full sized 5.25" DVD/Bluray drives, as well as for 4x 3.5" HDD's.

If you really want to build your own PC up from scratch, then it will cost considerably more. It would be worth while having a look at the AMD A8-3850 CPU + MSI A75MA-G55 motherboard, which you can get for R1999 from PCZone or like for around R220 more at Wootware. With that CPU and motherboard & CPU you won't have to buy a dedicated graphics card, and you should be able to play games even ;)

Update:
Wouldn't it also be possible to run Linux with XBMC on a Playstation3?
 
Last edited:
Hay Pada

What got me started on this whole mission was my xbox 360 and windows media center was forever a problem regarding codecs with Hidef as well as surround sound. The idea is great but i want a hassle free solution without having to convert files etc. Then xbmc blew me out the water!

PS3 with Linux? Is it a mission, risk of it being bricked? Definitely an option!!
 
Hay Pada

really like that special for the amd a8 and msi mb.

Apologies if this is a stupid question. I have a denon amp (AVR-1911) that i would plug this htpc into, does a pc with hdmi on the mb pass audio as well? rather ask the question and find out later instead need like a 2k sound card or something.

thanks in advance
 
Most (if not all) graphics cards (including onboard ones) with HDMI outputs should be able to transmit audio over HDMI.
That MSI A75MA-G55 motherboard still has normal 3.5mm audio outputs, but it doesn't have optical audio out unfortunately.
 
The i3 will work fine. AMD will also have some good solutions.

I have used the on-board graphics with an i3 equipped socket 1156 motherboard (Intel DH55TC - http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-dh55tc.html) to play back h264 rips of Blue Ray discs. The HDMI has worked fine for everything except at one point on Avatar where there were some signs of video tearing. The VGA output did not give any problems at all. Maybe you can try starting out with the on-board graphics and add a card if it is not up to standard.

The important thing with the case is that it fits onto your TV stand. A common problem is that the depth of most cases is greater than the depth of your shelf. If the stand has a solid back panel then you will need to add some allowance for the cables back there. A normal size micro ATX case is better than the small cases you are looking at if it will fit. The bigger cases give better cooling (quieter PC) and the full size expansion slots give a better choice of cards.

The microserver is also worth looking at if it is not too high for your stand. It is small, cheap and puts out very little noise.
 
I have just set up a HTPC now.

Started with the case - Antec NSK 2480B - +- R 1 100 - comes with 380W psu
M/board - Asus P5GT41 - LGA 775
CPU - Dual core E5700
4MB DDR3 RAM
Nvidia GT 430
1TB HDD
Sony Blu-ray player
Hauppauge HVR 2200 tv tuner
Win 7 Home Premium

Havent fully done the software side incl link up with tv though.
 
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