New build for HTPC

Schizophonic

Schizophonic

Schizophonic

Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2006
Posts
2,916
Location
Northampton
Looking to replace my old HTPC which I handed over to a family member recently.

I need a CPU/Mobo. Must be


  • HDMI built in
    USB3
    6GB SATA (optional)
    mATX

I've got 2GB DDR Ram I can reuse but checking whats out there it looks like I need to purchase some DDR3 now.

I will be playing Full BR rips from ISOs, streaming media from my NAS on my GB network. Play any format effortless and its all going through my AMP.

Any suggestions? Cheap as possible please. I can take on 2nd hand goods as well. Not bothered either Intel or AMD.
 
Here's an Intel one. Get second opinions on this before buying:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-4130 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £89.99
1 x Asus H81M-A Intel H81 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £44.99



The i3-4130 has better graphics and a few functions that the cheaper Pentiums don't have, which sound useful for your purpose.


Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology provides stereoscopic 3-D Blu-ray* playback in full 1080p resolution over HDMI* 1.4 and premium audio.

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology delivers High Definition quality playback so that you can experience movies and games like never before.

http://ark.intel.com/products/77480...cessor-3M-Cache-3_40-GHz?q=Intel Core i3-4130
Click to expand...

Someone can please correct me if I'm wrong, but 4GB of DDR3 memory should be enough for your particular needs.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX) £37.99



Two sticks so you can use Dual Channel.
 
Thanks for taking the time to post, I did come across that motherboard but was then put off by the price of Intel CPUs. Was wondering what AMD setups are at a reasonable price.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x AMD A6-6400K 3.90GHz (Socket FM2) APU Richland Dual Core Processor (AD640KOKHLBOX) £59.99
1 x Gigabyte F2A88XM-D3H AMD A88X Chipset (Socket FM2+) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £59.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED34GM1600HC11DC01) £32.99
Total : £162.56 (includes shipping : £8.00).



Decent IGP and can actually play some games if you ever wanted to. 4GB of RAM as that's all you'll need.
The price difference isn't much, however I would expect the AMD to perform better.
 
That motherboard might be overkill but will check out benchmarks on the CPU.

@Chihero that HDMI can't do over inbuilt audi is hi-def bit streaming. Sound profiling like DTS/DTS-Master/TrueHD cannot stream over standard 3.5mm audio ports. They will be compressed and HDMI can handle this higher form of sound capabilities.

Basically if you watch blue Rays and connect the HTPC into an AMP then HDMI is a must.
 
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