Little Mini-Itx HTPC build?

Nevakonaza · 14 Oct 2014 at 23:19

Right ive ordered one of these cases.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-002-AN

i want to set up a Low powered HTPC that will run Linux with XMBC with no issues/lag.

I already have a OCZ Solid3 SSD for it.

I was looking at this board + cpu (built in) but im not sure if the graphics would be powerful enough to run 1080p?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-483-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2803

All it says is Intel HD...No mention if its HD3000/4000 etc.

Ideally,i would like to have gone AMD as i heard their APUs are quite good but i cant see any Mini-itx boards on here than have the AMD chips already built into them?

steveo · 15 Oct 2014 at 07:40

i did a bit of research on this before i built mine and i found that the j1800 on that board struggled with media at 1080p you have to go to the top end of them boards for them to become useful for a htpc. In the end i went with the Amd Am1 route

YOUR BASKET
1 x AMD Athlon 5350 2.05GHz Quad Core Processor - Retail (Socket AM1) £41.99
1 x Asus AM1I-A AMD AM1 (Socket FS1b) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £26.99
Total : £78.58 (includes shipping : £8.00).

I have mine set up with Windows 8.1 and plex and thats all its used for and it works great once got the settings right.

i can try sticking some media on a drive and have windows play it like that if you want instead of of the server were its all store.

mine in the gallery

Nevakonaza · 15 Oct 2014 at 12:00

Hi Steve and thanks for replying,

I had a feeling that little Celeron wouldn't be able to handle it either,i done some reading..mainly on the main board itself and some people were saying it didnt like some certain ram,especially if it was 1.5v ram..they were saying it needed to be 1.35v..then someone else mentioned it didn't like to boot anything other than windows lol.

Ive just ordered that AMD mobo+cpu combo you posted,thanks a lot pal...nice to be going with AMD again.

steveo · 15 Oct 2014 at 12:44

no worries bud any problems give us a shout

Nevakonaza · 15 Oct 2014 at 13:30

Will do thanks,Just wondering what ram did you put in yours?

I've asked on the MM wanted to see if anyone has a Single stick of DDR3 240 Pin 4gb 1333 or 1600..although i doubt many will have a single stick.

2X 2gb sticks would be fine right?

Mrjobby · 15 Oct 2014 at 15:20

The AM1 stuff is quite fun but be aware most of them have only 2 sata ports.

I have a nice Asrock asrock AM1B-ITX which i liked because it has a extra 2 sata ports and a USB3 front panel header.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AM1B-ITX/

2 sticks or 1 is fine as it is single channel only, the APU does get a boost from faster memory tho so I would try at least 1600 stuff.

stree · 15 Oct 2014 at 17:22

Any CPU that has Intel HD graphics on board, such as Celeron and Pentium has just that Intel HD graphics, a cut down version of HD4000/4600 Specs are hard to find but those I have seen make it unsuitable for most modern demanding games but adequate enough for browsing, Netflix. iPlayer and Youtube etc but no more.
Enough for HTPC but not a gaming PC

Nevakonaza · 16 Oct 2014 at 22:00

Mrjobby said:
The AM1 stuff is quite fun but be aware most of them have only 2 sata ports.

I have a nice Asrock asrock AM1B-ITX which i liked because it has a extra 2 sata ports and a USB3 front panel header.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AM1B-ITX/

2 sticks or 1 is fine as it is single channel only, the APU does get a boost from faster memory tho so I would try at least 1600 stuff.

The sata ports situation isnt a problem for me,I only need one anyway and if in the future i do want to add another drive i still can.

I ordered 4gb 1600Mhz (single stick) today so should get max performance out of this system.

@stree,Yeah thats why i wanted to go AMD really because i hear their APUs are capable of light gaming too,i dont really intend to game on it but its just that re-assurance that if it can do light gaming it should handle 1080p Video files just fine.

Posted pics of it here if anyones intrested,
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=27065958&postcount=929

Thanks again for your help guys,Especially steveo

steveo · 16 Oct 2014 at 22:15

Looks good man, what software are you using for the htpc ??? xbmc or Plex......or something else

RJC · 16 Oct 2014 at 22:21

Looking good, I need to build one in the next few months and was looking at the AM1 setup.

I did have a Intel Celeron NUC which I used OpenElec on and this played 1080p MKV files fine.

Nevakonaza · 16 Oct 2014 at 22:32

steveo said:
Looks good man, what software are you using for the htpc ??? xbmc or Plex......or something else

XBMC..although im unsure what OS to go with yet,Either Windows 7 x64 or Linux,What Linux distro would you say is the most suitable?

RJC said:
Looking good, I need to build one in the next few months and was looking at the AM1 setup.

I did have a Intel Celeron NUC which I used OpenElec on and this played 1080p MKV files fine.

Thanks,Not really been able to try it yet..i just fired it up to make sure it was all working okay,went into Bios to check temps and see if my SSD was detected and all is good.

Il wait until my Ram comes then il get down to installing an OS and XBMC

chippy08 · 16 Oct 2014 at 23:17

U need to tidy them cables in the case

My build is
Cooler master 130 Elite case
AM1H-ITX
5350 CPU
120watt brick

Nevakonaza · 18 Oct 2014 at 13:40

Houston, We Have a Problem.

Recieved my ram today,Put it in...switched on and went into Bios,Shows the ram fine.

Started Memtest 86+ as i wanted to make sure the ram i bought was good.
Went downstairs for like 30 mins,come back up and the computer was off.
I thought wtf,why is it off!

Tried switching it back on,nothing..removed and re-inserted ram..nothing,took out cmos and re-tried..nothing?

The little LED on the motherboard is on,So it is receiving power..but so far everything ive tried,even removing the ram and seeing if it will come on has failed.

jubei · 24 Oct 2014 at 21:59

If i buy the case/cpu/mobo recommended in this thread, the ops case along with the amd cpu and mobo linked by steve. What else would i need to buy to complete a media server.

HDDs obviously, and some ram.

Does this require a separate cpu cooler to be bought? How about psu or is it part of the case etc?

Wifi?

If someone could help me with a full breakdown of a system that will be able to hold my media files and dish them out at 1080p that would be fantastic

Nevakonaza · 24 Oct 2014 at 22:27

jubei said:
If i buy the case/cpu/mobo recommended in this thread, the ops case along with the amd cpu and mobo linked by steve. What else would i need to buy to complete a media server.

HDDs obviously, and some ram.

Does this require a separate cpu cooler to be bought? How about psu or is it part of the case etc?

Wifi?

If someone could help me with a full breakdown of a system that will be able to hold my media files and dish them out at 1080p that would be fantastic

All you would need is the HDD and ram,you get the CPU cooler with the CPU/APU.

Psu has a 90w psu built in.

I received my replacement motherboard and the system if fine now,The stock cooler is very quiet.

jubei · 24 Oct 2014 at 23:16

Nevakonaza said:
All you would need is the HDD and ram,you get the CPU cooler with the CPU/APU.

Psu has a 90w psu built in.

I received my replacement motherboard and the system if fine now,The stock cooler is very quiet.

Thanks mate, so that 90w is enough to power it? You connect it to router with ethernet then?

Nevakonaza · 25 Oct 2014 at 00:44

Yeah having no issues so far,Ive got 1x 4gb stick of ram (1600Mhz),1x OCZ Solid3 SSD..it has another connector for an additional hard drive..i don't think the antec PSU would have any issue with powering another hard drive too.

Yeah i have mine connected directly to my Superhub via Cat5.

chippy08 · 25 Oct 2014 at 14:04

My build is

AM1H-ITX
5350 CPU
120watt power brick
120Gig ssd
3TB wd green drive

Uses around 25-27watts the reason i brought the AM1H-ITX is becuase i can connect the power brick straight into he board so less cables in the case so no mess from a normal psu.

The AM1H-ITX was voted the best board to use out of all the other Am1 boards

Nevakonaza · 26 Oct 2014 at 17:15

chippy08 said:
i brought the AM1H-ITX is becuase i can connect the power brick straight into he board so less cables in the case so no mess from a normal psu.

Yeah that board looks very similar to my Asus except yours has a full length PCI-E slot..but i didn't need any slots at all so.

Really happy with my HTPC now,Running the latest version of Ubuntu 64bit with XBMC set to start up straight away..i don't even see the Ubuntu desktop its that fast.
But it works flawless.

Shame about the hiccup with the dead board but all has been sorted now i got a replacement board very quick..thanks overclockers.

Might eventually pick up one of those AM1 noctua coolers if they ever get released,they were shown at Computex 2014..but tbh,My 5350 idles at like 17c with stock cooler & Coolermaster E2 thermal paste.

What OS/Software do you use Chippy?

chippy08 · 26 Oct 2014 at 21:24

Nevakonaza said:
Yeah that board looks very similar to my Asus except yours has a full length PCI-E slot..but i didn't need any slots at all so.

Really happy with my HTPC now,Running the latest version of Ubuntu 64bit with XBMC set to start up straight away..i don't even see the Ubuntu desktop its that fast.
But it works flawless.

Shame about the hiccup with the dead board but all has been sorted now i got a replacement board very quick..thanks overclockers.

Might eventually pick up one of those AM1 noctua coolers if they ever get released,they were shown at Computex 2014..but tbh,My 5350 idles at like 17c with stock cooler & Coolermaster E2 thermal paste.

What OS/Software do you use Chippy?

Windows 7 64bit and vlc for movies but it also does other jobs