HTPC build advice

Kaelsin

Kaelsin

Kaelsin

Associate
Joined
7 Aug 2009
Posts
333
Hey all,

Just recently bought a new 3D TV and looking to build a HTPC to go alongside it for viewing TV shows / movies / streams.

Unfortunately I'am a little unsure of what a good set-up is for a HTPC build and looking for a little build advice.

I currently have a spare 80gb Intel SSD and Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB to put inside the HTPC.

I would obviously like the option to view 3D blu rays but my current understanding is that it will require a good graphics card to view 3D blu rays?

This could be added at a later date if necessary, if it adds a hefty chunk to the cost of the HTPC.

Any build / spec advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
What's your budget?

I'd suggest looking at one of the top-end AMD APUs (A8 or A10) as that will give you enough grunt in both CPU and graphics to play 3D Blu-ray.

You'd need a case that could house an optical drive though too - there are a lot of great options but budget is needed to start.


Personally I like the idea of a Streacom FC1 Evo (plus the 160W Pico PSU), A8 APU, 8GB RAM and a slot-load Blu-Ray.
 
The AMD A8 chips support 3D playback :) Just add some memory, and whatever else you haven't already got and you're away!

YOUR BASKET
1 x AMD A8-5500 3.20GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Quad Core Processor **FREE SIMCITY PC GAME** (AD5500OKHJBOX) £79.99
1 x MSI A55M-E33 AMD A55 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £40.99
Total : £130.88 (includes shipping : £8.25).




I have the above motherboard with an A4-5300 and it is perfect for HTPC use. All in a HTPC case with a decent PSU, CPU cooler and 3x fans running very low RPM, it's very very quiet.
 
I have a budget of around £300. My main worry is getting components that go together well, do the job and actually fit in a decently size case, as I'd like to fit in a blu-ray drive as well.

If the AMD A8 chip plays 3D blu ray that is great, as ot would certainly enable me to reduce the cost and size of the HTPC.
 
I was looking at something like this for now, with the option to add a blu-ray drive / extras on later.

The case is the BitFenix Prodigy, so I went with a mini-itx board obviously as well (A board recommended in another thread). I was unable to find a micro case that I liked and after looking through so many posts in this sub-forum I just couldn't help but choose the Prodigy at the moment.

YOUR BASKET
1 x AMD A8-5500 3.20GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Quad Core Processor **FREE SIMCITY PC GAME** (AD5500OKHJBOX) £76.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £69.95
1 x MSI A75IA-E53 AMD A75 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £64.99
1 x Samsung Green (MV-3V4G3D/US) 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz 30nm Dual Channel Kit £49.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 500W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020047-UK) £49.99
Total : £326.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).

 
Dude, you can put all that into a case 1/3 the size (gonna test the basket post now!)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Silverstone Sugo SG05 HTPC USB 3.0 Case with 300W Power Supply - Black (SST-SG05B USB 3.0) £86.99
1 x AMD A8-5500 3.20GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Quad Core Processor **FREE SIMCITY PC GAME** (AD5500OKHJBOX) £76.99
1 x MSI A75IA-E53 AMD A75 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £64.99
1 x Adata XPG Xtreme v1.0 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17100C10 2133MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AX3U2133XC4G10-2X) £59.99
Total : £302.46 (includes shipping : £11.25).



£20 under and includes 2133MHz RAM (Trinity LOVES fast RAM for the graphics).
 
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