6668-004BUS: Want to build HTPC on the Cheap

[jensbodal]

Hey everyone.

Been looking to build a very cheap HTPC that can handle 720p movies, preferably streaming, has anyone tried this barebones setup from Newegg? My only two requirements are:

1. 720p (streaming the videos isn't a requirement but is highly desirable)
2. HDMI Out

Here is the MSI 6668-004BUS specs:

• Intel Atom D510
• 2 x DDR2 800/667 (Slots) w/4GB max RAM
• ATI Radeon HD 4330
• HDMI Port
• 1 x eSATA/USB2.0 Combo
• 11.14" x 7" x 1.59"
• 3.55 lbs.

I don't really need this PC to do much else than this for the moment, as I'm sure if it can stream 720p then it can be used for web browsing. If it can play Hulu/Netflix that might be nice, but really all I want to do is watch 720p MKV files.

Even at $190 it is a bit more than I'd like to spend as I would still have to pick up some RAM ($58) and I would assume a hard drive ($45), not sure if it can boot and run entirely from a thumb drive. If I do need a hard drive I'd probably pick up a WD Caviar Blue and maybe down the road take advantage of the e-sata port with an external hard drive. Also is 4GB RAM too much?

Any experience with this MSI barebones system? And/or does anyone have some good experience with a great deal for a similarly spec'd system, and if so how much did you pay? I've been looking on Slick Deals and TechBargains but have yet to anything worth picking up.

Total atm without tax/shipping is $293 -- I'd love to spend more around $200

 

[mfenn]

The D510 isn't that great, so I dunno how well it would work for HD content. I'll let somebody else chime in on that though.

As for running completely from a thumb drive, yes it is possible. It's actually fairly easy with Linux. You just set up a system somewhat like a LiveCD that reads from the thumbdrive and writes back to a ramdisk. In that case, 4GB of RAM would be good, otherwise it is not necessary.

 

[jensbodal]

Alright well that's good to know about the Thumb drive aspect. Is it more up to the CPU or the GPU regarding playback of 720p MKV files?

 

[Slugbait]

Is it more up to the CPU or the GPU regarding playback of 720p MKV files?

Can't speak directly to MKV, but full-screen Hulu definitely depends more on the CPU. I have an x2 4200+ in one HTPC, and a C2D/EE in another HTPC, both with 3+ gigs of RAM. I tested with an 8600GTS in both boxes: even after turning off Flash's hardware acceleration, the full-screen playback is still pretty choppy on the x2 (it's really choppy with it turned on). But on the C2D/EE, I leave hardware acceleration turned on and don't see any choppiness at all.

 

[fffblackmage]

Is it more up to the CPU or the GPU regarding playback of 720p MKV files?

By default, you'll be relying on the cpu for all decoding. I'm not familiar with using Linux for HTPC purposes, so I can't say anything about that.

My cheapy HTPC runs Windows 7 and consists of an Athlon X2 240, 2GB of DDR2-800, and a cheapy mobo with an IGP not capable of hardware accelerated decoding (old GeForce 6150SE chipset). That alone was able to play everything I threw at it. You don't need an especially beefy CPU, but at least something much better than an Atom.

I actually use my primary rig more often for watching videos now. My 5870 (previously, a 4890) is capable of doing the H.264 decoding via DXVA, and while it works most of the time, I occasionally got corrupted video or it just doesn't work. It has gotten much better after I installed the latest MPC-HC build though. Still, it's nice to have a decent CPU to make sure playback is flawless.

 

[ther00kie16]

Why not get one of the sub $100 media devices? There's the Patriot Box Office http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822219002 that was highly praised for being able to play almost everything when it was first released. There's also a wireless N adapter for it out there that's capable of 720p via wireless. I see some selling for <$90 on ebay for the box + wifi adapter, which would be much cheaper than any pc.

 

[jensbodal]

I'm not against getting one of those stand alone media devices, but I haven't seen enough consistent review to warrant a purchase yet. Also haven't heard of that device so I will look into it.

The Boxee looked promising but even with that I see lots of problems with MKV files. I had a bad experience with one of the older media streaming devices, but that was a few years ago so I guess it might be worth giving it another shot.

Another idea would be to just buy a long HDMI cable and hook it up to a HDMI switch so I can toggle between my TV and the TV in the living room. Actually now that I think of it this just might be a fantastic idea, assuming HDMI quality doesn't degrade over 30ft.

 

[jensbodal]

The Patriot PBO thing is looking like it might fit the bill, thank you for that!

My router is right next to the TV so I don't have a need for the wifi capabilities, but I want to find a bit more out regarding the UI before I proceed, some comments mentioned problems with W7, though those might be fixed after a firmware upgrade.