HTPC build #2

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.
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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.
 
i found the AI suite to be quite accurate, along with HW monitor

and as for the 60fps 1080p on onboard graphics, it runs fine with a tiny tiny stutter every min or so, overclocking ever so slightly would probably sort that [have read about people hitting 2.5ghz on them easily but haven't dabbled with that myself]
 
geordiejc said:
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?
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With regards to the input device, honestly I wouldn't bother. Once your HTPC's is setup and everything is running you won't need a keyboard and mouse, I make do with Unified remote on my phone.
 
Pico psu is fine for these boxes, just when using a hungry GPU card you need more, sfx, ATX etc.
I run a G3258 on an ASRock H97m-itx/ac with 8GB Hyper, an 850EVO boot with 1TB 2.5HDD Tosh, using a Gelid Slim Silence just because the case is very small. set in BIOS for silent fan and it is..........Ported it from an e-mini H197 case to an EVO-Labs ea2 but kept the Gelid cooler. never gets hot, even clocked to 4.3 only got to high 50s.all purpose box but no gaming apart from maybe an older game now and again. This runs on a Pico 160W
Win7pro 64 bit

Box 2 is an ASRock board again AM1H ITX, with a 5350, stock cooler sometimes disconnected to run passive, Seems just as capable in HTPC use as the Pentium but "better" graphics. But the pentium does 1080P and thats all I need.
This has 850EVO data and 850 EVO 128 boot, 8GB Hyper ram, Pico 120 watt.
Again stock cooler is just as quiet connected as it is disconnected.
This is in the H197 case. Win 10 but will be going back to 7 pro 64 on this too.

Box 3 is an MSI11 running 5150 with 4GB AMD performance ram ( Patriot) with 840 Pro 128GB boot and no data as yet, prob port straight to NAS box, this is stock cooler too but have spare new slim silence if I decide to. Again silent. Linux media on this box
This is running on DC power board 120w
This begins to show the strain when running complex graphics but may experiment with a graphics card in this and uprate the power and cooling etc to suit. This one is in an e-mini eW80 case
None of these have an optical drive, not really needed.
I think any of the above are fine for a simple HTPC and a good basis for a more complex one if desired. All small, silent, low power and minimal heat.
 
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geordiejc said:
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.
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Which system do you think is the better system ?
 
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