HTPC upgrade / shrink build advice

oxygene · 16 Sep 2015 at 16:05

Hey guys, I was hoping for some confirmation, or even some pointers on a build I want to do.
Currently my htpc was the cheapest I could make it at the time, this means old components. Its my old phenom II quad core, its a silent low profile gfx card (cost around £30), its an old desktop case that barely fits in the tv unit!
Its been juttering a little of late and I and considering it could be the graphics card overheating, either way its a good excuse to finally put in the money it needs to be a great machine!

This is what I have so far:

Asus H81T Motherboard - £60.44
Crucial CT2KIT51264BF160B 8GB Kit (4 GB x 2) DDR3 PC3-12800 - £38.33
Akasa AK-CC7129BP01 Low Profile Intel Cooler - £9.95
SilverStone Petit PT13B Case for PC - £39.38
Intel Core i3 Processor (3.7 GHz, 3 MB, LGA1150 Socket) - £89.40

Not sure the exact model number of the cpu. The prices are taken from a foresty competitor currently I'm afraid.

Due to the tiny nature of the case I am looking at, the motherboard takes SoDimm, and a laptop power adapter. Another consideration is I also already have a laptop harddrive in my current htpc, and spares if needs be. I also have a small SSD sat around if I feel it needs it!
The biggest cost so far is the cpu though, and I am not sure the spec that would do justice to a htpc, baring in mind I need one with built in graphics as the case and motherboard dont allow addons.
Any thoughts? Or should I continue as planned!

chippy08 · 16 Sep 2015 at 16:10

What will you use the htpc for films or films and games ?

oxygene · 16 Sep 2015 at 16:32

chippy08 said:
What will you use the htpc for films or films and games ?

Purely films and tv!
I have The Beast for games!

edGfaCTor · 16 Sep 2015 at 16:51

Have you already purchased those parts you listed?

eyezpy · 16 Sep 2015 at 17:37

I would have just got an Intel Nuc, but building one your self does seem more fun.

oxygene · 16 Sep 2015 at 17:53

edGfaCTor said:
Have you already purchased those parts you listed?

Not yet, payday is next week!

eyezpy said:
I would have just got an Intel Nuc, but building one your self does seem more fun.

Indeed, I was considering one of those chaps, but theres something about building it yourself thats just nicer. Plus this currently works out cheaper!

chippy08 · 16 Sep 2015 at 18:00

Am1 build around £200

edGfaCTor · 16 Sep 2015 at 18:07

Intel Nuc is a good idea or if you want to build something I went for.

Silverstone Milo ML05B Case
Intel Pentium K G3258 CPU
Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 Value Select 4GB Ram
MSI H81I LGA1150 Mini-ITX Motherboard
Silverstone SST-ST30SF Strider 300W SFX Power Supply
TBS Twin tuner
Kingston 120 GB SSD
500GB Hard drive
flirc IR reciever

Cost at the time just under £300 you could drop the tv card and save £60 and maybe fit a cheaper psu in there also no need really for cpu that high.

This runs everything media wise currently running openelec/tvheadend and as you can see I use it as a tv set top box as well

oxygene · 17 Sep 2015 at 10:36

edGfaCTor said:
Intel Nuc is a good idea or if you want to build something I went for.

Silverstone Milo ML05B Case
Intel Pentium K G3258 CPU
Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 Value Select 4GB Ram
MSI H81I LGA1150 Mini-ITX Motherboard
Silverstone SST-ST30SF Strider 300W SFX Power Supply
TBS Twin tuner
Kingston 120 GB SSD
500GB Hard drive
flirc IR reciever

Cost at the time just under £300 you could drop the tv card and save £60 and maybe fit a cheaper psu in there also no need really for cpu that high.

This runs everything media wise currently running openelec/tvheadend and as you can see I use it as a tv set top box as well

Yeah could drop the hds too as I have those chaps, and the IT receiver as Kodi is controller by phone so thats good, but tbh its a bit bigger then I am looking for!
I am looking for a case with an external power supply and no optical drive ideally.

edGfaCTor · 17 Sep 2015 at 16:18

oxygene said:
Yeah could drop the hds too as I have those chaps, and the IT receiver as Kodi is controller by phone so thats good, but tbh its a bit bigger then I am looking for!
I am looking for a case with an external power supply and no optical drive ideally.

I Had to have IR receiver so the wife could use Sky remote which she is used to with it.

The case is tiny around same as most sat receivers and only 5-10cm different to the one you listed

350mm (W) x 99 mm (H) x 204 mm (D)

Are you sure something like NowTV box wont be fine for you?

oxygene · 17 Sep 2015 at 16:24

edGfaCTor said:
Are you sure something like NowTV box wont be fine for you?

Tried that, not a fan. I like the pc route because I am a big fan of Kodi, especially with the Kore phone app remote control. They work wonders together and allow a lot of usability for myself and my gf while still having a lot of customization.
All content is currently stored on a NAS and theres not a lot of streamer boxes that allow a nice UI and easy of use for streaming from network sources. Although it has been a while since I last looked.