HTPC Specification Check

Misan · 20 Sep 2010 at 17:08

Hi guys, this is my first HTPC build. The objective is to replace my rather aging XBOX running XBMC as due to the low-end CPU not cutting the mustard for 720p playback and above. I'll be hooking this up to a HD TV via HDMI and will be streaming content (AVI's, MKV's, both 720p and 1080i) from my 2008 R2 file server which is already up and running. I won't be needing an PVR functionality at the moment, but may look into it with something like MythTV for XBMC.

I'm planning on using Ubuntu with XBMC installed.

Anyway, here are my current components.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-US2H 760G Socket AM3 DVI VGA HDMI Out 8 Channel Audio MATX Motherboard
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 260 3.2 GHz Socket AM3 2MB Cache Retail Box Processor
RAM: Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz HyperX Blu Memory Kit CL9 1.7-1.9V Non-ECC Unbuffered
HDD: Western Digital WD1600AAJS 160GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 8MB Cache - OEM
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S223 22x DVD±RW DL & RAM SATA Optical Drive - OEM Black
Case: Antec Micro Fusion Remote VERIS Media Center Case - With 350W PSU and Media Remote Control

Does anyone have any experience with the integrated ATI 3000 cards?, as looking at the specs it appears to be OK for 720p and 1080 playback.

The whole build comes to £285. If anyone has any recommendations or changes fire away!

Thanks for any help in advance.

Baboonanza · 20 Sep 2010 at 19:53

Personally I'd upgrade it to a 780/785 chipset, the 3000 seems a little underpowered and it shouldn't cost much more.

However, that's irrelevant because XBMC doesn't suport video acceleration with ATi cards under Linux. You'll need an nVidia card / integrated GPU.

Sootie · 20 Sep 2010 at 22:24

The 880 chipset like this Gigabyte has a HD4200 which will do 1080p with a more modern chipset.

Cold_And_Miserable · 20 Sep 2010 at 23:38

I recommend a silent CPU cooler since the stock cooler will be the loudest component.

jrwagh333 · 21 Sep 2010 at 09:38

PanMaster said:
I recommend a silent CPU cooler since the stock cooler will be the loudest component.

It really is not that loud when you enable cool'n'quiet

Don't buy another cooler if you don't want to. try at the stock cooler first and if the noise and temps are OK then stick with it... AMD stock coolers are far superior to Intel stock coolers

Misan · 21 Sep 2010 at 16:04

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Think I'll go with the 780 chipset instead. Shame about the lack of video excelleration under Linux, as I was kinda hoping to go with Ubuntu instead of Windows.