Parts for XBMC client

Whiffle · 15 Apr 2014 at 13:40

Hi,

I am currently looking to a build a quiet but powerful to run XBMC on.

Thus far, I have the following parts:

* Antec NSK 2480 (case only).
* 2 x 2GB Corsair Ram
* 60GB M4 Crusial SSD

I am therefore looking for a CPU, Motherboard and PSU.

Requirements:

I want to go down the intel route and am looking for an efficient but powerful CPU, do you think the i3-4330 would do the trick.

The total power draw on this PC is going to be pretty low (in addition to the above), it is going to also power a single 120mm case fan. Do you think I could get away with a PicoPSU?

Thanks very much.

abbotsmike · 15 Apr 2014 at 14:03

Have you considered a raspberrypi or intel NUC?

Deep · 15 Apr 2014 at 15:01

abbotsmike said:
Have you considered a raspberrypi or intel NUC?

If you're going to be streaming full BD rips then don't bother with a Raspberry Pi but if it's regular file sizes then they are a pretty good choice

abbotsmike · 15 Apr 2014 at 17:07

I must admit, I haven't used mine with any 1080p content, but it does just fine with 720p. The UI is still a bit laggy, but my SD card is slow and there are refinements being worked on to fix that.
It is in a different league to a NUC though, which would probably be my choice for a small, quiet media PC. You can pick them up for silly money!

badcompany · 16 Apr 2014 at 10:11

Got a baytrail nuc on order <10w power draw.
The pi works very well once playing media but ui can be slow, will for my taste anyway lack of Netflix integration is The deal breaker for me. My nuc will be win 8.1 do I can have xbmc + Netflix+Netflix (USA)