HTPC Build - Noob, please help

pingutm · 30 Jul 2011 at 21:28

Hi,

Im a total noob and looking for advice on parts etc to build my first htpc. My wdtv live just doesent cut it anymore.

I'm looking for it to run XBMC

it will be used for 1080p MKV's bluray isos etc and MUST be able to bitstream HD Audio to my AV Reciever.

I also would'nt mind also using it for retro gaming using emulators (snes, sega, amiga etc) but not a necessity

I would like it to fit approx 4 2tb drives which i allready own (3.5) (or would it be better to have a nas?)

Would prefer it as small and quiet as possible with quick speeds so im thinking a sata3 solid state drive for the OS?

Im also thinking a bluray/dvd drive would be nice but again not a necessity

Please please please! post links to parts etc that would make a nice tidy system, I have been looking at threads all day but dont really know what im looking for as im a total novice.

I dont need the 2tb drives or os as i have these.

Looking at spending approx £200 - £250

Many Thanks

Reaper 392 · 31 Jul 2011 at 00:03

so you need everything in the tower except for an optical drive and a DVD drive, and the main things are being able to play 1080p movies (presumably streamed from somewhere) and working with your AV reciever.

i have literally no idea what the requirements are for an AV streamer but this is about the best your going to get on your budget:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black (with 500w Elite Power PSU) £64.99
1 x MSI H67MA-E35 Intel H67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Micro-ATX Motherboard - (Sandybridge) **B3 REVISION** £59.99
1 x Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £53.99
1 x OCZ Vertex 30GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive (OCZSSD2-1VTX30G) £49.99
1 x Corsair Value 2GB (1x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low-Voltage Single Channel Module (VS2GB1333D3) £11.99
Total : £254.45 (includes shipping : £11.25).

chrisarm · 31 Jul 2011 at 00:42

you could always go for summit like this

YOUR BASKET
1 x Zotac ZBOX Blu-Ray HD-ID34 Complete System £399.98
Total : £410.78 (includes shipping : £9.00).

It's only an atom but has extras which makes watchin 1080p a doddle
here's a review

http://www.trustedreviews.com/Zotac-ZBOX-Blu-ray-HD-ID34_Desktop-PC_review

If this is too expensive then you can always buy a PS3 and convert the MKV files on the PC you already have (Guessing you have a PC or Laptop as you are on here.)

Reaper 392 · 31 Jul 2011 at 00:49

just slightly over the OP's budget though

chrisarm · 31 Jul 2011 at 00:54

You tried finding a itx case and slimline bluray player, thats why I put a spec for a ps3 ;p

Ok how about this, still slightly over but not by much (and worth the bit extra)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £85.99
1 x Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM / 16x DVD±RW Lightscribe SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
1 x MSI H61M-E33 Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION** £46.99
1 x OCUK EZCool NA-705 Case - Black (500w PSU) £24.98
1 x Lepa N-Series 400W Power Supply £24.98
1 x Corsair Value 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low Voltage Dual-Channel Kit £23.98
Total : £270.42 (includes shipping : £11.25).

must have been lookin at the other post about the itx got a little confused

Oh and I know that I have put a spec with 2 PSU's but the one you get free with this case is only worth putting in the bin

pingutm · 31 Jul 2011 at 02:49

is there any smaller cases or...?

Subliminal Aura · 31 Jul 2011 at 04:20

pingutm said:
is there any smaller cases or...?

Revo or Zbox are the smallest ready builds or the htpc in my sig if you're building

olivier renault · 31 Jul 2011 at 09:22

bunch of small cases that don't look like plastic junk. takes m-atx boards, although Lian Li can fit ATX boards iirc.

1 x Silverstone Temjin TJ08B Midi Tower Case - Black £74.99
1 x Lian Li PC-A05NB Aluminium Mini-Tower Case - Black £72.98
1 x Fractal Design Core 1000 Midi Tower Case - Black £35.99

Lian Li also has aluminium drive bay covers mods. And all sorts of front bay accessories available in 3.5'' and 5.25''.

1 x Lian Li C-02B 5.25" Aluminium DVD/CD Drive Bezel £6.12

Reaper 392 · 31 Jul 2011 at 15:19

if your willing to spend a bit more im pretty sure this will do everything you want, and is nice and small:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte GA-E350N-USB3 Zacate with HD6310 iGPU - AMD Fusion (ITX) £119.98
1 x LG CH10LS20 10x BluRay-ROM / 16x DVD±RW Drive - Black (Retail) £52.99
1 x Lian Li PC-Q07I Mini-ITX Case - Blue £44.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 ATX '80 Plus' Power Supply (CMPSU-430CXUKV2) £39.98
1 x Corsair Value 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low Voltage Dual-Channel Kit £23.98
Total : £293.92 (includes shipping : £10.00).

probably best to wait until you have more money to go for a decent SSD that can take the OS and whatever programs you need for it to work as a HTPC

Subliminal Aura · 31 Jul 2011 at 15:45

If the case is of concern that I'd suggest you google ...

Wesena Mini ITX2 Case or another from their range

chrisarm · 31 Jul 2011 at 17:36

here you go it's quite a bit more expensive but smaller (about quater of the size 193mm x 280mm x 208mm) than my other build but you can only fit 1 HDD the others would have to be external

YOUR BASKET
1 x Zotac Z68ITX-A-E Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £129.98
1 x Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £85.99
1 x Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM / 16x DVD±RW Lightscribe SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
1 x Lian Li PC-Q07I Mini-ITX Case - Blue £44.99
1 x Lepa N-Series 400W Power Supply £24.98
1 x Corsair Value 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low Voltage Dual-Channel Kit £23.98
Total : £371.92 (includes shipping : £10.00).

Oh and sorry for the awful colour