Cheap HTPC XBMC build - Less than £100

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

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Hi guys,

I need some advice on parts for a cheap HTPC build to run XBMC. I would like it to be able to output 1080p and also HD audio.

My budget is £100 but really I would like it to be less. Just a general idea on parts is fine as I will try and source second hand parts. I just need to know whether things like AMD or Intel for the CPU, good motherboards, PSU's etc.

Any help appreciated :)
 
deano-5 said:
Wonder if a Raspberry Pi could do it?
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Hey, thanks for the response.

I have some concerns/doubts about the Pi. I keep reading that people are having problems with things such as scrolling through menus etc. I want something that works well but obviously for a good price. Perhaps I'm wrong though!

Cheers :)
 
Space Monkey said:
Done :)
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Thanks!

passey89 said:
now tv, unlock developer mode, install media browser / PLEX. £9.99
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Thanks for the response but I think the Now TV (although cheap) doesn't provide things like 1080p and a wired ethernet connection.

Pedaars said:
If your just after an idea on parts check out this thread http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18618352 has a £300 spec but if your going to look for 2nd hand or have some of the parts already that could bring the cost down
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I will take a look at the thread now cheers :)
 
nkata said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte F2A58M-HD2 AMD A58 Chipset (Socket FM2+) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £35.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) HDD £34.49
1 x Zalman T1 Plus Mini-Tower USB 3.0 - Black £19.99
1 x **B Grade** AMD A4-5300 3.40GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD5300OKHJBOX) £19.99
1 x Antec VP450P 450W '80 Plus' Continuous Power Supply £19.79
1 x TeamGroup Elite 2GB (1x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Single Channel Module (TED32GM1333C901) £13.99
Total : £144.24 (includes shipping : ).



Maybe better with 4GB faster memory. Upgradeable to xfire 6670 or just use a single faster GPU if required. Should run XBMC just fine.
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Will take a look at this I might even have some parts so let me take a look and I will post back. Is AMD the way to go then? I have no experience with it. Is it more for the integrated graphics or the cost?

Thanks again!
 
nkata said:
Just to see what you could get with a low budget. Using SH parts you could get more memory, more storage, slightly better features.

An AMD APU is probably the best way to go for your requirements and budget.
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Thanks again.

I've had a look at parts that I've got here and I could probably take out 4GB RAM out of my NAS, I have an SSD lieing around as well as some standard hard drives. I can't think what else I have right now.

Do you think that particular APU would handle everything I need? My main goals are for XBMC with 1080p and maybe even HD audio.

Cheers :)
 
mrham4321 said:
Surely the AM1 Kabini w/ Athlon 5350 would be absolutely perfect for your needs? Extremely cheap platform cost, low TDP, integrated graphics, quad core etc.
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I'm not really sure what that is. Is it just an APU? Or motherboard as well?

Thanks :)

EDIT: Eventually found it, Kabini is the APU generation I think.
 
Last edited:
That's pretty nice actually, didn't see that one when I was looking either. The only thing that worries me is the TFX PSU. I think I would prefer ATX PSU compatible but I'm not sure if it's worth it or not.
 
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Thanks for all of the responses.

I think the Pi still might struggle when it comes to running lots of addons and streaming etc. This might be wrong but I don't know if its worth the risk or not.

The Roku 3 is quite a good idea but the problem is that it costs about the same if not a bit more than this custom build. I don't think it would be as good either when compared to this custom build though.

Yeh I did change to a 5150 but I can always increase to the 5350. My main problem is still the case and PSU. I would like to get second hand parts if I can get the parts cheaper. Perhaps I should post in the wanted section.

I think the droidbox might be similar to some of the MX boxes etc that I was looking at on the bay.

Thanks :)
 
mrham4321 said:
It increases the platform cost as the board is more expensive, but there is an ASRock AM1 (ITX) board you can find (don't think it's on OCUK) that foregoes the ATX connectors, requiring only a laptop power brick (19.5V I think?) DC in, which means you won't need to get a PSU if you have one of those knocking around...
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Now that's quite an interesting idea. The only thing I would ask is how would I power the SSD for example? Am I being stupid?
 
chippy08 said:
I would not buy the MSI Board if your going AM1 as people have returned them.
Why not go

AM1H-ITX
Athlon 5350
19v laptop charger
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Thanks for the response. The problem with that motherboard you are suggesting is that it doesn't really seem to be available in the UK and certainly not at a good price.

I can change to a different motherboard anyway though.
 
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