HTPC build #2

geordiejc

geordiejc

geordiejc

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Hello,

I've decided to build a 2nd HTPC for the bedroom. It is simply for Kodi/Streaming/1080p - thats it!

I've sourced some 2nd hand parts for £38 off ebay, i'm waiting for them to arrive in the post.

AMD 5350
Asus AM1I-A Mini ITX m/b
8GB HyperX DDR3 (2x4GB)
500GB Seagate HDD
Vibox PSU - not sure of wattage or size.

Until i find out what size the PSU is i can't order a case - the silverstone ML05 was perfect for my last build but it uses an SFX PSU.

I was criticized in my last build for going intel and to be fair to the guys it was overkill:D

Questions:

  • Can the CPU be passively cooled without the use of a fan ?
  • How much power will the PC use if it is on stand by?
  • I'd like to use an all in one (mouse/keyboard remote) a Tronsmart TSM01 Air Mouse+ Keyboard was reccomended - any reccomendations from overclockers?
 
Im keen to understand the concept of this 60w 'brick' i assume this is like a laptop charger? the motherboard i have doesnt accept direct AC in like the ASrock AM1H - any advice here would be great.

i've found some software called vectir remote, it essentially sets up a server on windwos 10 and uses your android device as a remote control and you can move the mouse and type etc... pretty neat actually and very responsive - it uses wifi.
 
i dont see any on overclockers. Is it ok to talk about other sources on this forum ?

Also i don't have a 'brick' - i think i'll stick with then psu the guy sends me, should be here by monday so i'll see if its fit for purpose... or not.

how much am i looking at ?
 
Last edited:
crinkleshoes said:
Yes - you can passively cool the CPU... look at the Streacom fanless cases:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/case.../all-pc-cases?ckSuppliers=574&ckTab=0&sSort=5

I have the FC8 Evo cooling an i3... apparently it can also cool an i5, so you'll be OK with that AMD chip too.

You need to buy the PSU separately.



Some peoples' ears obviously don't work... like yours.

Fans in the living room annoy me... let alone in the bedroom.
Click to expand...

Those cases cost more than the whole PC did :) :eek:
 
Oh you are the person in the know for streaming then!

I have a 4k Gsync display on my main PC. Sometimes i want to kick back on my settee and play fallout 4 on my 1080p TV.

I have a G3258 @ 4Ghz on my living room TV as the HTPC.

i understand if i have steam installed on both gaming PC and HTPC then i can stream via my home network to my 1080p tv from my PC...

How do i control the game? the keyboard/mouse from the PC or the HTPC?
 
i just tried it on my HTPC, works a treat.

Only problem is my logitech k270 wireless keyboard/mouse has too much lag for games, may need some new batteries.

My case arrived today , bought a £10 piece of crap to house the components (its going behind a TV and will never be seen)

Just need the parts to arrive. can't wait to build the 5350 and sew how it fares against the G3258.

I'll be over the moon if i have managed to build a full 5350 system for £52
 
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chippy08 said:
I wish to know this as well as i run Am1 and i am thinking of going G3258 for the extra grunt.
the G3258 has a higher Benchmark score 4003 compared to the Am1 5350 2587 but then you have 2 cores versus 4 cores.
so when are you completing the build
Click to expand...

I've completed the build today!

Final specs:

HTPC #1 - The daily driver in the living room for watching TV.

G3258 2 cores @ 4Ghz stoc HSF.
8GB Ram
SSD 128GB / 320GB 2.5"
W10

HTPC #2 - Infrequent use.

AMD 5350 4 cores @2.05ghz
4GB Ram
HDD (Seagate 500GB)
W10

I can run some benchmarks if you like? The biggest difference between both systems is boot times down to the SSD. I'd probably find it hard to quantify web browsing / 1080p playback in terms of speed because of the HDD vs SSD situ.

i originally had 4GB in HTPC #1 , however the guy sold me 8GB of 1600 hyperx ram with the HDD / CPU / motherboard etc... for £38 so i just swapped the ram over as i will be using HTPC #1 every day and HTPC infrequently.

Neither PC will be used for gaming as i have a 4770k @ 4.4ghz / 980 ti /4k monitor as my gaming rig.
 
SupermotoMX said:
i have the same CPU with an asus board in an ML03 for my HTPC, currently using ARCTIC Apline M1 Passive cpu cooler, very cheap and just about fits inside my case, max temp i could get it to was 51c, there are no fans in the case, its 100% passive[the mesh just above the cpu will help a lot with that though]

cpu is very strong and the entire pc only pulls 21 watts when recording including HD homerun, extended idle, display switched off, so gpu will be off.

coupled with a GT 730 2gb, and 8gb of ram, it will play world of warcraft [very cpu heavy] at between 50 - 90 fps on 'high' settings @1080p.

only downside for me was only 2x sata connectors [i have an SSD boot, and 500gb 7200 record / scratch drive for pause] and i needed to add another HDD so i ended up buying a pciex1 - sata card to make that work, will probably pickup a nas later next year. can probably post some [i think now quite dated] pictures if you would like, its a very capable cpu and i am always surprised by how low the power draw is, and also how little it all cost me.


my parents next PC will be the same 5350, as it can [just about] handle youtube 60fps1080p, i dont have access to any 4k content or displays, so unable to comment on that.
Click to expand...

i had the ML03 and i returned it and got the ML05 - the size is half that of the ml03 , obviously it requires a mini itx m/b

I havent had a chance of checking temps on the AMD HTPC as it was built today. I have no intake/exhaust fans on the cheap case i bought. Which s/w do you reccomend for AMD cpu temps ? Realtemp only supports intel - this is my first ever AMD CPU. Interesting point on the 1080p/60fps for youtube. i'll have to check that out tomorrow and see how it performs. I did try 1080p/30fps and it ran as expected, smooth.
 
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