Mini-ITX for media

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:04

Was wanting a spec for a media centre. Been using the GF's laptop for movies/sky go in the bedroom via HDMI but it's quite slow. As cheap as possible would be good.

Was thinking i3, 8GB ram, BitFenix Prodigy case, Antec VP350P 350W and Mobo with HDMI?

Don't know a lot about AMD but am happy to use.

honosuseri · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:06

is it literally to do media playback or are you looking for a more capable HTPC?

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:08

I don't think I would use the HTPC's full potential, I have a big set up in the lounge. This is just for watching tv and movies.

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:13

Oh and I have a HDD and a spare 4GB DDR3 if that's enough (can't see why not)

honosuseri · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:13

You could consider the AMD Hudson. Which is a mini-itx mobo with a CPU built in. Be fine for media playback. My mate bought a raspberry Pi and put XBMC on it or......

YOUR BASKET
1 x ASRock FM2A75M-ITX AMD A75 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £73.99
1 x Intel 330 Series 60GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive - Retail £59.99
1 x Thermaltake Element Q mini-ITX HTPC Case - 220W Power Supply £56.99
1 x AMD A6-5400K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD540KOKHJBOX) £49.99
1 x Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual CHannel Kit (PV38G213C1K) £39.95
1 x Asus 24x DVD±RW DRW-24B5ST SATA ReWriter - Black (Retail) £17.99
Total : £310.90 (includes shipping : £10.00).

There is this. Case is much smaller than the prodigy with a pico PSU in it. This could play games to, think of it as a homemade console. Im sure you know the 128GB SSDs arent much more

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:23

Looks good. What's my options OS-wise? I mean if I am just using for browser and media, I don't need to splash out on windows?

Would XBMC let me get to the web?

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:26

Also, £10 more for ASRock H61M-ITX and i3 2120 worth it?

honosuseri · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:30

R-evans said:
Also, £10 more for ASRock H61M-ITX and i3 2120 worth it?

I dont think so bud. That H61 wont have sataIII I doubt and the IGP is better on Trinity. The FM2 mini-itx I used does have sataIII so the SSD I used will be running at full speed. As far as the OS goes XBMC is Linux so is free and yes you can install firefox

Click me for a little overview

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:35

Cool thanks will have a look. It Never occurred to me, I am wanting to upgrade my main PC processor/motherboard soon, are there any 1156 mobos I can stick my i5 into?

R-evans · 21 Dec 2012 at 23:40

Found out it's micro ATX, so might just get a different case. Cheers anyway.