Spec Check

Greboth · 16 Sep 2012 at 16:22

Afternoon all,

I know how these threads are loved so thought I would post one

I am looking at building a low powered HTPC, will be used for streaming (iplayer, 4OD), DVD rips and Bluray rips (I use handbrake to reduce to 5Gb per film) and normal videos through XBMC.

I don't need, optical drive, keyboard/mouse, windows and budget is around £300, is this spec ok?

Case: Bitfenix Prodigy Mini ITX Cube Case
Mobo: ASRock H61M-ITX
CPU: i3 (sandybridge) 3.3 Ghz.
RAM: Kingston Blu 4Gb (2x2Gb) 1600MHz
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX 430W
Fan: Bitfenix Spectre 230mm fan (to replace front 120mm)

Total: £283.92.

HDD: 1Tb 7200rpm Samsung (already own this)

I realise PSU is way overkill for the build but I have a lot of trust in corsair PSU's and the cheaper ones are only a few pounds so worth it I think.

Few questions though

I assume the i3 onboard graphics will be enough for video playback?
Is the standard i3 cooler quiet or is it worth getting a different cooler???

Finally, anything worth changing for a better / cheaper build?

Greboth · 16 Sep 2012 at 17:00

Thanks for that, I did not realise of the 24p problem, I shall add a 5450 to the shopping list. I did look at those PSUs but as there isn't any in stock I looked for another one, though come order time I will change if they are in stock.

Greboth · 19 Sep 2012 at 12:01

Bit of a bump on this one as I have been thinking about it some more. If to avoid the 24p problem of sandbridge cpu's I will be running a gpu is it worth the extra for the i3 over something like the G620. I assume that both being sandybridge they are both going to power effecient?

Also GPU I was looking at is the MSI 5450 1Gb from reading reviews it seems this is good enough for htpc duties but double checking.

Greboth · 19 Sep 2012 at 12:55

The original thinking was to run onboard graphics, leaving pci free for my capture card (though I don't know whether could be used for capture due to compression being on the fly) or a sound card. However the 24p problem that firefly linked to put me off doing that, though I don't have first hand of how noticeable it is. I suppose I could build it with i3 and if it is bad enough then £30 on a little gpu isn't too bad.

Edit: Just noticed you linked to ivybridge i3 not sandybridge. Haven't kept up with the cpu changes so correct me if I am wrong but ivybridge is a dieshrink of sandybridge? in which case the 24p problem would still exist.