help me decide - media pc spec

hardc0re_tid

hardc0re_tid

hardc0re_tid

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i am wanting to build a small, cheap (well you know it wont be haha) media pc

mainly used for video playback, i have a ps3 for bluray etc

ive been thinking about building a small media pc with a big attitude

something along the lines of:

Black Lian Li PCQ09FB case
Zotac GF9300-I-E (Socket 775) DDR2 motherboard
Intel Q6600 Processor (Got)
2GB Geil 6400 DDR2 RAM (Got)
Power supply.... i think the case comes with a 150w external psu
Optical Drive.....? i assume i will need a laptop drive for this case?
2.5" 500GB Seagate Momentus HDD
 
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If the toughest thing it will be playing is 1080p video then I would suggest going with either an i3 + H55 M-ITX board or an Athlon II and a M-ITX 880G board. As these should be cheaper and use current generation parts (and also allow you to buy DDR3 which is reasonably cheap now).

For HDD, may I first ask how you will be using the HTPC? Will it be playing files stored locally or playing from some network connected storage?

As for the PSU, I believe that case comes with a 150W unit installed.

The optical drive is indeed a laptop-type slimline drive. If you don't need blu-ray then something like this will be fine.
 
sorry, i didnt see your post when editing my OP.

no, it will be playing locally stored files, 500GB HDD should do the job. it wont be playing 1080p or the likes, 720p will probably be the most it will ever see.

yea i had a look about and found that it does come with an external 150w PSU
 
My suggestion is the Mini-ITX Giga H55N-USB3 motherboard and a i3-530 or 540 CPU.

The CPU will provide more than enough grunt to take on any CPU intensive application or game as well as provide via the onchip graphics outstanding video playback. I use a 530 cpu with XBMC for all my video needs and they include 1080p by the way. The reason I use that motherboard is its size and amazing power. I was able to overclock my little 530 over 5GHz. I posted a thread here at OCUK some place about that combination. And for 24/7 use I find a 4GHz overclock is rock solid with a standard Intel cooler. Heat is also not an issue. The PSU I use is a 150watt same as yours I think. No graphic card. :D
 
really? 150w? i just used a psu calulator and it tells me that with a q6600, 2 sticks ddr2, 1 hdd and 1 dvdrw drive its going to require a psu over 208w, even with using a e6600 it still needs over 160w

EDIT - just used the same psu calc and it tells me that with a 4ghz oc on the 530 or 540 the psu needs to be putting out 2tleast 240w. are you sure that your psu is a 150w one?

anyway, back on topic, i think i will change the case as the psu isnt up to the job IMHO
 
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As you point out the Q6600 is not the ideal CPU for this use - its TDP is 95W, add in a motherboard with onboard graphics, 2 sticks of DDR2, DVD drive and a 2.5in HDD you will certainly be pushing the PSU to its limits. In comparison the i3 is 73W and that includes the graphics core.
 
i agree but its still costing more than i have to spend lol. id rather stick with what i have and buy a case, motherboard and drives, costing about £150+ less than buying a new processor board and ram.

i think i might change the case to something with a stand alone psu
 
Ah, you already have the Q6600 and DDR2 -sorry I missed that bit.

In that case I would suggest having a look at this case instead. Silverstone are a good manufacturer and the 300W PSU should be plenty.

Also, I have that Zotac board in a HTPC back at home and its a great piece of kit - will play 1080p video all day.
 
i never even seen that case, looks ok for what i need to be honest an it will fit in with everything else in my setup :D and i can get a bigger HDD (double the capacity and physical size and still save money :D

whats the space like between the processor and the PSU? i would like to be able to use my thermalright si128 cooler on the q6600 and run it passive
 
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I too missed the bit about having the q6600 CPU

The i3-530 and SSD for my OS with 1 2gb stick of ram. That is it nothing else. And that is all you need for XBMC. All media is streamed via the network so no additional hard drives.
 
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