HTPC Build For Plex

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 20:03

I am looking to build a HTPC to run Plex and act as a Plex Server.

The HTPC Will connect to my 5.1 surround sound via HDMI.

Issue is router is in the studio so I was thinking a Mains power line (That carries Ethernet through mains) as I don't think WiFi will give a stable enough connection.

Intel or AMD, either is fine.

Storage will be SSD for OS, Plex and HDDs for Media.

Unsure on what components I should buy as I'm used to building for Game Development or Gaming.

This is the Build so far

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Silverstone Milo ML03 HTPC Case - Black (SST-ML03B)= £64.99
1 x Kingston 120GB SSDNow V300 Drive SATA 6Gb/s 3 2.5" (7mm height) Solid State Hard Drive - (SV300S37A/= £39.95
1 x EVGA 430W 80 Plus Power Supply (100-W1-0430-KR)= £36.95
4 x Arctic F8 PWM Case Fan - 80mm= £3.49
1 x Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-HD2 AMD A68 Chipset (Socket FM2+) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard= £39.95
1 x AMD Kaveri A10-7700K 10 Compute Core APU w/ Radeon R7 Graphics (4 CPU + 6 GPU Compute Cores) - Reta= £79.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Savage Red 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (HX324C11SRK2/8)= £41.99

Total: £317.78
(includes shipping: £0.00)

Any information and Advise is greatly appreciated.

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 20:40

Torn between these 2 cases

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Silverstone Grandia GD09 Home Theatre Server Case - Black (SST-GD09B)= £66.95

Total: £66.95
(includes shipping: £0.00)

and

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Silverstone Milo ML03 HTPC Case - Black (SST-ML03B)= £64.99

Total: £64.99
(includes shipping: £0.00)

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 22:21

I have updated my original post with a build I have compiled.

Any recommendations?

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 22:48

LewisRaz said:
Shame OCUK dont appear to stock them

Yeah noticed this, I think this build is a worthy contender.

Wanted peoples opinions before Purchasing

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 23:02

LewisRaz said:
Why not a raspberry pi?

Haha, they just don't have the minerals do they

.

Also would like a box to fit nicely with my 5.1 Receiver

.

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 23:45

ExoMale said:
Good build and 2nd case be better if you not having a dedicated graphics card, however if you plan to stream 1080 I would question the Intel graphics as mine has hd4400 and just about runs 1080 movies, you would want skylake ideally for Intel wise otherwise any A8-A10 APU system should do it fine.

The HTPC will be running 1080p Films however it will not host them and will only be pulling them from a server which is more than powerful enough to stream.

Would the Processor not be able to do this effectively ?

I will look into AMD alternatives now.

Kuuwahi · 3 Aug 2016 at 23:57

With this said, I'm thinking of making the HTPC The server.

Will do some jiggery pokery with the current build and see what I can come up with.

Kuuwahi · 4 Aug 2016 at 00:10

LewisRaz said:
Im on the pentium machine now and it is completely unplayable trying to play my 1080p gameplay footage recorded from fraps...

Brilliant, Thanks for testing that for me, I really appreciate it.

I have updated my original post with a new idea as The HTPC will also now act as the server.

Kuuwahi · 4 Aug 2016 at 00:17

LewisRaz said:
No problem. Glad I could help

I would click the Thanks / +1 / Karma button, but OCUK hasn't got that feature :mad:

Kuuwahi · 4 Aug 2016 at 00:49

What would you say to this build as a HTPC Plex Server and Client

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Silverstone Milo ML03 HTPC Case - Black (SST-ML03B)= £64.99
1 x Kingston 120GB SSDNow V300 Drive SATA 6Gb/s 3 2.5" (7mm height) Solid State Hard Drive - (SV300S37A/= £39.95
1 x EVGA 430W 80 Plus Power Supply (100-W1-0430-KR)= £36.95
4 x Arctic F8 PWM Case Fan - 80mm= £3.49
1 x Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-HD2 AMD A68 Chipset (Socket FM2+) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard= £39.95
1 x AMD Kaveri A10-7700K 10 Compute Core APU w/ Radeon R7 Graphics (4 CPU + 6 GPU Compute Cores) - Reta= £79.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Savage Red 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (HX324C11SRK2/8)= £41.99

Total: £317.78
(includes shipping: £0.00)

Kuuwahi · 4 Aug 2016 at 12:12

I will build a server when I get around to it as I will need to run a server for a game which is being developed, as well as containing backups of / and development files.

However That will happen when I upgrade my current rig which will then be turned into a server, thats why I thought there is no point building a HTPC and a separate Plex server at the moment just.

Not to mention that if the missus is watching movies downstairs on the HTPC which is the plex server she won't complain when I start moving heavy files across the network.

Next I need to look at connecting the HTPC to the network / Internet.

Does anybody have any experience with the TP Link Powerline Adaptors ? I have read mixed reviews.

Also, what would be the best way to control the HTPC / Plex from around 10 foot away?

Kuuwahi · 6 Aug 2016 at 11:44

I'm stuck at the moment on how I would connect the HTPC in the living room which is the other side of the house / downstairs from the studio where the Router is.