Home Cinema Build

Associate
Joined
2 Jun 2014
Posts
1,240
Brother's after a budget home cinema build (streaming HD movies/holding large collections of media), I've told him pretty much any comp on the market will be adequate for streaming and such but he wants to build for the experience and what not. This may have to be an AMD build simply because his budget is pretty tight at £400. A GPU would be a plus but I don't think that's going to happen at this price, perhaps an APU though? Anyway keyboard/mouse/monitor he has, but could do with a legit OS (8.1). Ideally would want a small SSD for quick boot up too.

Thanks guys, I'm going to spec one up now but just thought I'd see what you peeps can come up with. ;)
 
I would swap that ssd for another make

I have a Crucial and I'm extremely happy with it, so will probably buy the same. ;)

And thank you to the first poster! Just whatsapp'd him now with the spec. May change the APU for something with alittle more power but other than that it looks great.
 
Awesome. A spec that's under budget?! Am I on the right forum? Haha, kidding. But thanks guys appreciate it, just discussing it with him now. :)

Does happen once in a while :p :D

I am looking to get one based on the Kabini APU.
 
Awesome. A spec that's under budget?! Am I on the right forum? Haha, kidding. But thanks guys appreciate it, just discussing it with him now. :)

They're awesome little CPU's IMO :) I can watch 1080p or 3D with DTS-HD Master audio though the onboard HDMI without a single issue.

Here's mine:

20140813_154233.jpg
 
Does happen once in a while :p :D

I am looking to get one based on the Kabini APU.

Haha : ) first time looking into the APUs. Can pick some of them up real cheap! Well surprised.

They're awesome little CPU's IMO :) I can watch 1080p or 3D with DTS-HD Master audio though the onboard HDMI without a single issue.

Here's mine:

20140813_154233.jpg

That looks awesome man, love the smaller builds! Can't wait to get started on his, haha. :D

He's talking about Photoshop now, nothing too heavy. He does alittle website design as a hobby. Surely it should run it adequately?
 
Last edited:
Pretty much anything will run photoshop, only really slows down if you're working with pretty large images. There's no harm in going for a slightly beefier CPU if he can afford it though!
 
Used to have 4TB of drives in mine and it worked very well as a Plex server too. Only recently moved them out as I need more storage space!
 
They're awesome little CPU's IMO :) I can watch 1080p or 3D with DTS-HD Master audio though the onboard HDMI without a single issue.

Here's mine:

20140813_154233.jpg

Just out of interest what do you use to control this wireless keyboard or some sort of remote?

I have wanted to build one of these for some time keep thinking of raspberry pi then going off the idea. I think a htpc would be more beneficial as I can let the kids lose on it and keep them away from mine if you know what I mean I also didnt realise how affordable they were to build
 
Just out of interest what do you use to control this wireless keyboard or some sort of remote?

Yep you can use any of those, i use a Logitech harmony remote with mine. The programs that are used for streaming such as XBMC & Plex also have android/iOS apps so you can turn your phone or tablet into a remote.
 
I use a USB-CEC HDMI adaptor, so everything is controlled through my original TV remote.

I also have a K400 keyboard for anything else but it's rare I use it.
 
Ok thanks I will look into the adapter. I used to have a harmony remote was great had to get rid of it as the Mrs couldn't use it too complicated for her
 
It's ace :) CEC control is the way forward.

I turn my TV on, it wakes my HTPC from sleep, and turns on my AVR. Then the TV remote controls everything, controls all the HTPC functions in Plex, and it controls the volume though my AVR. One remote for everything :)
 
Yer sounds like exactly what I would need Mrs proof. Can the apu's handle bluray playback if I was to add a drive? or would I need a gpu
 
Back
Top Bottom