HTPC build advice please

sepulchre

sepulchre

sepulchre

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Joined
30 Sep 2003
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Not so Sunny Dundee
I'm looking at building an HTPC for the living room, having never looked at HTPC's I'm a little lost, so if anyone can offer me some guidance on the following points I'd appreciate it :D

The main uses are for streaming 720p videos and programs from my main PC upstairs to watch on the TV so it must have wireless N networking and a HDMI output, aside from that I'm open to suggestions on what else is required.

1. The spec, I need a case and all the components. I have two PSU's sitting unused from older PC builds, if possible I'd like to reuse one of those but I will need to check connections.

2. The software, what's the best software for a HTPC?

Cheers

Seppy
 
I'd say a Zotac NM10-A-E ITX, 2gb ddr2 800, Samsung F3 eco and any mITX case (depends on space). Reckon about £200 for the lot.

Ubuntu and Myth TV is a good choice on the software front. Alternative would be XP x86 and MPCHC.
 
cheers, looks good. I've been looking at the following this evening after reading around a bit -

Zotac H55-ITX WiFi Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Mini-ITX Motherboard - £108.99
Intel Core i3 530 2.93GHz (Clarkdale) (Socket LGA1156) - Retail - £99.99
Silverstone sugo SG06 - £77

DDR3 - Not sure yet, but 2Gb is all I think I should need?
Slimline/slot loading DVD drive - not sure which one yet
Media remote and IR Receiver - about £12 of the bay
Keysonic ACK-540RF Wireless Mini Keyboard with Built in Touchpad - £32

What do people think of that?
 
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Have you looked at the AMD equivalents? now that should save you a few quid.
whichever you go for don't forget to replace the stock cooler if you want silence.
 
i think you should check out the zotac g41 itx (around the £70 mark) rather than going for the h55 itx board, you could then pick up something like an e2160 or 80 for about £20 and it would be more than up to the job and ddr2 for it is much cheaper also.
 
Good suggestion, thanks :) however I would also need to add a gfx card which increases heat and possibly noise depending on which card you go for, the i3 has an integrated gpu which I believe is up to the job of HD output :confused:
 
I've heard dubious things about video acceleration with the H55 IGP. At any rate ASFAIK XBMC doesn't support it so you'd be forced to run Windows 7 (adding to the cost).
 
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