Looking for a cheap HTPC build... suggestions?

Jed Shields

Jed Shields

Jed Shields

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Joined
23 Apr 2007
Posts
1,785
Location
Cardiff-ish, Wales
Just looking for suggestions for new parts for my HTPC. I have an old Antec Fusion case https://www.overclockers.co.uk/antec-fusion-remote-htpc-case-silver-ca-060-an.html that I'll probably keep, including 380w PSU. I'll need a Mobo, CPU and possibly RAM. My existing kit in an old Athlon, can't remember off the top of my head but the RAM I have is DDR3, so I could use that assuming it can still fit in new motherboards. Mainly running Kodi, streaming non compressed BR rips from my server. Also, ideally mobo would have an optical out that I can connect to my DAC. Cheaper the better :)
 
Intel NUC is a good HTPC. i have the DN2820 which has been flawless. Im running an older version of openelec (i have no reason to update it), streaming from a NAS. i assume you mean blu-ray as its stripped from the disc, rather than actual uncompressed video (that would be huuuuuge) i can stream that no problem. Bitstreaming DTSMA and TrueHD is no problem either, and proper 23.976 playback is sliky smooth on the plasma.

maybe look for something that does h265 in hardware for future proofing.

i have a raspberry pi too, its ok, does the job, but the nuc is far quicker to navigate (i'm using an older pi though). Unless you already have the pi, by the time youve bought it, a power supply, SD card, some sort of remote receiver and remote, your not far off a nuc.
 
I would add a new PSU and new case fans - as they'll all be very old at this point... I had to add a sound card as I can't for the life of me find a mobo with optical out - though I'm sure they'll be one somewhere, alternatively there's probably a cheap USB external soundcard on the market with optical

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £303.00 (includes shipping: £11.10)
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