HTPC build

Ross L · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:12

Hi,

I'm looking to replace my Apple TV with a HTPC as it seems to struggle with HD content more and more frequently. All HD content comes from iTunes, but I would be intending on putting my blu-ray drive from my desktop into it. At most the HTPC would be used for general web browsing, as I use my desktop for work / gaming.

This is what I have so far (haven't decided on a case yet):

Is this a decent enough build for the price, or are there some areas in which I could improve it while staying within the price bracket of £400?

Thanks in advance.

Ross

Xelene · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:22

I'd look at the AMD Llano. No need for a GFX card.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4448/amd-llano-desktop-performance-preview

You can stick in a twin tuner Freeview HD card with the money you save. They don't sell them here, but there's a BlackGold DVB-T2 one floating around for around £80.

Ross L · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:31

Thanks for the reply.

I'd never heard of them (looks like I could save a nice bit of cash). Would the MSI A75MA-G55 AMD Hudson D3 Mobo with this be a good pairing: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-306-AM

Thanks for your help.

shadow_boxer · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:52

If all your doing is web browsing and play movies then theres no need to get the i3 2100. How about something along the lines the following for quite a bit cheaper.

MSI H67MA-E35 Intel H67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Micro-ATX Motherboard - (Sandybridge) **B3 REVISION** £61.99
(£51.66) £61.99
(£51.66)
Samsung SpinPoint F4 EcoGreen 2TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD204UI) Samsung SpinPoint F4 EcoGreen 2TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD204UI) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £51.98
(£43.32) £51.98
(£43.32)
BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W '80 Plus' Power Supply BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W '80 Plus' Power Supply £45.98
(£38.32) £45.98
(£38.32)
Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT25664BA1339) Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT25664BA1339) £24.98
(£20.82) £24.98
(£20.82)
ATI Radeon HD 5450 SILENT 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card ATI Radeon HD 5450 SILENT 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card £19.99
(£16.66) £19.99
(£16.66)
Sub Total : £220.77
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.00
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £46.15
Total : £276.92

Although with the board above and the G620 you have onboard graphics, you will reduced frame stuttering by having a dedicated graphics card when playing Blu-Rays at 24fps/23.976fps.
Could get a single 2TB drive for stroage, quieter, better power consumption

Xelene · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:59

shadow_boxer said:
If all your doing is web browsing and play movies then theres no need to get the i3 2100. How about something along the lines the following for quite a bit cheaper.

Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail

Although with the board above and the G620 you have onboard graphics, you will reduced frame stuttering by having a dedicated graphics card when playing Blu-Rays at 24fps/23.976fps.

Could get a single 2TB drive for stroage, quieter, better power consumption

I'm using a Macbook Pro with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo for 1080p streaming / display at the moment. I think that's roughly the same performance as the G620 (bit slower). It's starting to struggle. The top end Llano is basically a Phenom II quad with an onchip 6550. A bargain for £100 I think.

I cant answer about the motherboard as haven't used this chipset before, but there's been some reviews in CustomPC recently.

R088ieS86 · 11 Oct 2011 at 21:04

sldsmkd said:
I'm using a Macbook Pro with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo for 1080p streaming / display at the moment. I think that's roughly the same performance as the G620 (bit slower). It's starting to struggle.

The video (from shadow_boxer's build) will be offloaded onto the HD5450 which will cope with it easily!
If you want 3D output over HDMI you will need a HD6000 series GPU though.

Xelene · 11 Oct 2011 at 21:17

R088ieS86 said:
The video (from shadow_boxer's build) will be offloaded onto the HD5450 which will cope with it easily!

Always found that a bit hit and miss TBH. All sorts of driver pain, then it's offloaded until it isn't as the file is encoded in slightly different way.