Budget HTPC Build

2010-07-26 20:12:51

#1

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

Does everything look okay? I have 2x1GB 667mhz RAM sticks lying around, the motherboard has an integrated Radeon HD 4200, and the case has a built in PSU. It will be hooked up to the TV via HDMI and to the Surround Receiver via Optical.

Will this be able to output 1080p with no issues?

Last edited by alexb (2010-07-26 20:13:38)

2010-07-26 20:18:47

#2

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6949|Devon, England

Does the CPU come with a stock cooler, and will it fit in your case? I don't see why it wouldn't, but it's best to make sure.

2010-07-26 20:22:21

#3

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

FFLink wrote:
Does the CPU come with a stock cooler, and will it fit in your case? I don't see why it wouldn't, but it's best to make sure.

It should come with a cooler as its not an OEM package, and judging by one of the reviews:

Cons: the heatsink is the smallest i have ever seen for a CPU, didn't even consider using it

Case Dimensions
Height 15.8"
Width 3.9"
Depth 12.8"

So it SHOULD fit.

Last edited by alexb (2010-07-27 07:07:11)

2010-07-27 02:56:45

#4

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6949|Devon, England

I take it that's the case dimensions, then.

2010-07-27 04:14:16

#5

max: Vela Incident; +1,652|6825|NYC / Hamburg

Should be all right. CPU has enough crunching power for 1080p. Do you have some sort of remote keyboard/mouse? Thought about a lower capacity drive and streaming through the network? Aftermarket heatsink? Your ram compatible?

_{once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.}

2010-07-27 07:06:50

#6

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

max wrote:
Should be all right. CPU has enough crunching power for 1080p. Do you have some sort of remote keyboard/mouse? Thought about a lower capacity drive and streaming through the network? Aftermarket heatsink? Your ram compatible?

I'm going to buy a pair of wireless keyboard and mice from a local store.
I haven't though about streaming; what kind of HDD's should I look at?
I didn't opt for an aftermarket heatsink due to the price limitations, and also size. I pretty much need this HTPC as low as a price as possible.

FFLink wrote:
I take it that's the case dimensions, then.

Correct.

Last edited by alexb (2010-07-27 07:07:27)

2010-07-27 07:43:29

#7

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6997|Toronto | Canada

You should just get some cheap 1.5TB WD Green/Samsung F3 drives. They're a great price and storage solution. I've found streaming can be choppy on HD content (especially if its over wireless).

What will you use as a media player? XMBC is pretty sexy as a GUI, though I dont know how well it handles performance wise.

Last edited by Winston_Churchill (2010-07-27 07:47:12)

2010-07-27 16:34:38

#8

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

Winston_Churchill wrote:
You should just get some cheap 1.5TB WD Green/Samsung F3 drives. They're a great price and storage solution. I've found streaming can be choppy on HD content (especially if its over wireless).

What will you use as a media player? XMBC is pretty sexy as a GUI, though I dont know how well it handles performance wise.

Those 1.5TB hard drives are about $30 more, which is a bit too high. As previously stated, I need this to be as low price as possible, unfortunately.

ebug recommended me XMBC, but I could also use Windows Media Center for the built in Netflix streaming app.

2010-07-28 05:18:00

#9

max: Vela Incident; +1,652|6825|NYC / Hamburg

You can't stream properly over WLAN. You need at least fast Ethernet. Gigabit is better. If you do opt for steaming, you can use any old HDD in the HTPC.

_{once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.}

2010-07-28 07:36:56

#10

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

max wrote:
You can't stream properly over WLAN. You need at least fast Ethernet. Gigabit is better. If you do opt for steaming, you can use any old HDD in the HTPC.

Is that hard drive too slow for usage?

I could always buy a lager hard drive in the future.

2010-07-28 07:41:58

#11

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6997|Toronto | Canada

alexb wrote:
Winston_Churchill wrote:
You should just get some cheap 1.5TB WD Green/Samsung F3 drives. They're a great price and storage solution. I've found streaming can be choppy on HD content (especially if its over wireless).

What will you use as a media player? XMBC is pretty sexy as a GUI, though I dont know how well it handles performance wise.
Those 1.5TB hard drives are about $30 more, which is a bit too high. As previously stated, I need this to be as low price as possible, unfortunately.

ebug recommended me XMBC, but I could also use Windows Media Center for the built in Netflix streaming app.

WMP is pretty meh for HD, I wouldnt recommend it at all.

2010-07-30 17:16:44

#12

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

Just ordered it.

2010-07-30 19:03:03

#13

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6949|Devon, England

Nicely done. Hope it works out well.

2010-07-31 07:23:53

#14

alexb: <3; +590|6198|Kentucky, USA

Lol, I completely forgot about a wireless adapter. Just ordered this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6833166020

BF2S Forums Budget HTPC Build

FFLink wrote:

max wrote:

FFLink wrote:

Winston_Churchill wrote:

max wrote:

alexb wrote:

Winston_Churchill wrote:

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