HTPC - AMD or Intel

Invisible_Jim

Invisible_Jim

Invisible_Jim

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11 Nov 2011
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Looking at upgrading my HTPC, have a full size case as have 2 HDD's for storage and one to boot off of, but want to upgrade the internals as I've got a nice new Full HDTV and want to make the most of it.

Is it worth going with an AMD Llano setup or am going to get better performance off an Intel setup with a separate GFX card with an HDMI out?

Want to be able to watch at full 1080p and get a blu-ray drive with smooth playback. Would a 60GB SSDD to boot off of be overkill for this?

Thoughts/advice appreciated!

Thanks
 
It's a debatable topic and there isn't a right or wrong asnwer. I personally went Intel G620+GT520.

I also added a 60GB SSD and it flies!! Starts up in mere seconds into XBMC... a lot better than waiting to watch a film and the long startup. SSD's in a HTPC are definitely a good use of them. Startup time actually does matter on a HTPC unlike a normal desktop.

You also don't need a full size case. Many HTPC will house two drives with ease. You also don't need a seperate drive just for Windows. Partitioning it would be better to save space and noise.
 
SSD is a great idea as mentioned above in a HTPC.

There are quite a few different options available for both AMD and Intel. If your after a low power solution on a budget then consider AMD Brazos. Has CPU and GPU integrated onto the motherboard. For a bit more CPU grunt and casual gaming Llano offers a great all in one solution. Finally if your planning to do any sort of ripping DVD's / Blu Rays of more intensive gaming then Intel i3 is better suited.
 
At the moment it's a really old rig, C2D E6300, 2GB, 150GB WD Raptor, 2x WD 500GB SATA, ATi X850XT running WinXp.

Got 3 drives in total at the minute, the Raptor for OS and the other two for storage. Want an mATX board so when I get round to replacing the drives I can go into a smaller case and just like the idea of an SSD for it.

I'd prefer low power where possible as long term it will end up being HTPC/Media Server at home for streaming etc.. but want enough grunt to archive DVD's/Blu-rays in a reasonable time. Was thinking about waiting for AMD Trinity, but gather that's like waiting for bus.

So was thinking an FM1 mATX board with A75 chipset, A8 CPU, 4GB RAM, HDMI out, RAID capability for speed/security long term. 60GB SSD for OS/short term storage & blu ray drive.
Also want to ensure smooth blu-ray playback at 24p Full HD.

Plus I could probably slap an SSD anywhere, or boot XBMC off of a fast USB Stick that I place inside the case long term.

The on-board GFX does concern me a little, even though AMD rate it for Blu-ray playback.
 
If you're just looking for play back then don't worry about the onboard. Even the lower end 6310 graphics chip can handle that. (in the AMD Brazos like Shadow_Boxer recommended)

So unless you plann on doing more than that the Llano A8 will actually be more than you need.

Another consideration, use your current rig as the media server and build a small htpc with the AMD brazos just for playback. This can be a good idea because if you want to build a media library you will start to add more and more HDDs for extra storage and it will more than likely exceed the small that nice HTPC cases can hold. (except the expensive Silverstone cases which can take 3x 3.5" drives)
 
R088ieS86 said:
If you're just looking for play back then don't worry about the onboard. Even the lower end 6310 graphics chip can handle that. (in the AMD Brazos like Shadow_Boxer recommended)

So unless you plann on doing more than that the Llano A8 will actually be more than you need.

Another consideration, use your current rig as the media server and build a small htpc with the AMD brazos just for playback. This can be a good idea because if you want to build a media library you will start to add more and more HDDs for extra storage and it will more than likely exceed the small that nice HTPC cases can hold. (except the expensive Silverstone cases which can take 3x 3.5" drives)
Click to expand...

Excellent idea there!!

Use your current PC as a media server and place it in another room. Will also keep noise down.

All you need a bit of wiring to make it all work and a gigabit switch if you want to stream full blown bluray rips.
 
I have just built one [going to make a build thread now] i have a silverstone gd06 case, i can fit 3x3.5in hdd and 1x2.5in and also another 3.5 if i didnt have a blu ray drive.

With some coolers you can even fit another 3.5 drive under the optical bay.

Yep i can fill all 6 of my sata ports on my mobo! nice case, but 94£ is quite a lot! more than my HAF 922 case!
 
al4x said:
I have just built one [going to make a build thread now] i have a silverstone gd06 case, i can fit 3x3.5in hdd and 1x2.5in and also another 3.5 if i didnt have a blu ray drive.

With some coolers you can even fit another 3.5 drive under the optical bay.

Yep i can fill all 6 of my sata ports on my mobo! nice case, but 94£ is quite a lot! more than my HAF 922 case!
Click to expand...

I couldn't justify the cost of one of those. Fair play to you though.

I got a Thermaltake Element Q for 50 quid which included a decent PSU.
 
I went for a Zalman HD503 due to the size, but also the look. Closer to a regular amp in style too as will sit under the TV for a while.

Long term plan is to have something smaller and keep this as a media server, but at the minute everything is all in the same room, so will have to wait till I move next for proper cabling and setup. Was partly going by AMD's Vision rating as well for the CPU

I think long term I'd want more than just playback as I'd want it encoding and ripping on a regular basis. Have the server relatively beefy then build a smaller AMD Trinity based machine in 12months or so.
 
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