Budget CPU for budget HTPC build..

[SirJangly]

Hey guys. Would a celeron g530 do well in a htpc? The most I'd do is 1080p videos, but generally 720p. I'm guessing it would also be fine for basic computing as well? Also, is it a better value than the pentium g620 for $20 more? Thanks in advance mates

I should specify..I plan on using the integrated gpu and not anything added. So basically, will the intel graphics run all the videos I'd like? Maybe even light gaming, such as league of legends?

 

[Ancalagon44]

Will you also be running any GPU in there?

 

[AtenRa]

I would go for the AMD A4-3400 Llano 2.7GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket FM1 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor AD3400OJGXBOX at $69.99

Much better iGPU for HTPC and light gaming

 

[pauldun170]

Hey guys. Would a celeron g530 do well in a htpc? The most I'd do is 1080p videos, but generally 720p. I'm guessing it would also be fine for basic computing as well? Also, is it a better value than the pentium g620 for $20 more? Thanks in advance mates

I should specify..I plan on using the integrated gpu and not anything added. So basically, will the intel graphics run all the videos I'd like? Maybe even light gaming, such as league of legends?

g530 + basic h61 board works will be fine for HTTPC (should run 1080p).
The HD graphics on that die are not going to cut it for gaming.

Whats your budget?

 

[Dman8777]

Zacate or Llano

 

[SirJangly]

I'd like to not use a gpu, and want to keep it as a mini itx, to which there is not a wide variety in regards to fm1 boards. I was going to go with this combo:

BIOSTAR TH61 ITX LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Model #:TH61 ITX
Item #:N82E16813138327
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$79.99 -$10.00 Instant $69.99

Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623G620
Model #:BX80623G620
Item #:N82E16819116399
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$77.99 $77.99

I'm still trying to decide on a budget case

 

[Lonyo]

Get something made by AMD because the GPU will be much better.
You will regret going Intel IMO (I do, I need to pick up an HD5450 or similar).

 

[SirJangly]

Get something made by AMD because the GPU will be much better.
You will regret going Intel IMO (I do, I need to pick up an HD5450 or similar).

What is your setup? The only concern is the lack of chances regarding FM1 mini itx boards. How is the heat/power consumption of the lower end llano chip?

 

[Lonyo]

What is your setup? The only concern is the lack of chances regarding FM1 mini itx boards. How is the heat/power consumption of the lower end llano chip?

My setup is a G620T on an H61 based mITX board with no external GPU.
DXVA is flaky at best, terrible at worst and yesterday I had some problems with a Bluray being funky, playback wasn't smooth (the other few I've watched have been fine though during the film).
You can be more assured of decent support if you go with something AMD based in terms of driver support, if you don't want to get a separate GPU, although I don't know how power consumption is.

Also you might want to consider how necessary mITX is. If you are planning to have lots of storage (i.e. more than 2 hard drives) you might want to consider mATX, since many mITX cases won't fit lots of hard drives.
What exactly do you want from the machine beyond the ability to play 720/1080p video? Is it just a viewing box or will it be for storage as well?
And if it is going near your TV, then a low profile mATX case might suit fine aesthetically.

 

[SirJangly]

My setup is a G620T on an H61 based mITX board with no external GPU.
DXVA is flaky at best, terrible at worst and yesterday I had some problems with a Bluray being funky, playback wasn't smooth (the other few I've watched have been fine though during the film).
You can be more assured of decent support if you go with something AMD based in terms of driver support, if you don't want to get a separate GPU, although I don't know how power consumption is.

I see...I don't plan on doing bluray, just 1080p mkv at the most. I am not trying to see stubborn, but I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible, and benchmarks I've seen point toward the intel being a better chip. Also, going the AMD route would add around $50 to the price Hmmm.... Would I really be THAT unhappy with the intel? I suppose adding a low profile gpu would be a big deal, if I do ever need it.

 

[pauldun170]

I'd like to not use a gpu, and want to keep it as a mini itx, to which there is not a wide variety in regards to fm1 boards. I was going to go with this combo:

BIOSTAR TH61 ITX LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Model #:TH61 ITX
Item #:N82E16813138327
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$79.99 -$10.00 Instant $69.99

Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623G620
Model #:BX80623G620
Item #:N82E16819116399
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$77.99 $77.99

I'm still trying to decide on a budget case

Whats your budget?
I just went through this last week. Still in the process of loading up all the software I use but I tightened the last screw just last night.

 

[SirJangly]

Whats your budget?
I just went through this last week. Still in the process of loading up all the software I use but I tightened the last screw just last night.

What did you go with? My budget is as low as possible. I am only building this so I have something to do homework on at my girlfriends house while my laptop is in for repairs. She's in the same program as me, so I really need my own device to work out. The HTPC function is secondary, but will likely be used more often when I graduate this december

 

[Ancalagon44]

How exactly is it more expensive? The cheapest Llano APU is also $70, same as the Intel. No need for a GPU.

 

[SirJangly]

My setup is a G620T on an H61 based mITX board with no external GPU.
DXVA is flaky at best, terrible at worst and yesterday I had some problems with a Bluray being funky, playback wasn't smooth (the other few I've watched have been fine though during the film).
You can be more assured of decent support if you go with something AMD based in terms of driver support, if you don't want to get a separate GPU, although I don't know how power consumption is.

Also you might want to consider how necessary mITX is. If you are planning to have lots of storage (i.e. more than 2 hard drives) you might want to consider mATX, since many mITX cases won't fit lots of hard drives.
What exactly do you want from the machine beyond the ability to play 720/1080p video? Is it just a viewing box or will it be for storage as well?
And if it is going near your TV, then a low profile mATX case might suit fine aesthetically.

Well I just enjoy the size and portability of mini itx. Also, There is about a $13 difference between the procs, but ~$25 on the lowest priced mini itx boards for both.

 

[SirJangly]

I can't tell, would this case work on a micro itx board? http://www.amazon.com/MI-008-Tower-B...317831&sr=1-23

 

[pauldun170]

I had some parts laying around but I ended up going with a asrock z68m ($99), i3-2100 ($99 at microcenter) 4gb gskill and a rosewill r102 case for $30(note: r101 is the better case.)
Parts reused were an old hd4830 I had laying around, an Antec earthwatts 380 and a older WD 500gb black drive. Its replacing an old htpc (P4 2.8 + 7600gt agp hooked up to 46' Samsung. Ran 720p fine but due the agp 7600gt didn't have the decode stuff the pcie version had so 1080p was a no go)

You'll need mobo, cpu, 4gb ram, hard drive, psu
You want an ITX board and case.

You can go low end llano but its ability to game will be limited and the proc itself is meh. Its a nice option today but next month your stuck with a crappy proc attached to fading fast gpu (from a gaming perspective). So make sure you really like the games you play on it today because that will be the only game you will be able to play on it tomorrow.
You can go Celeron or Pentium SB, where the onboard will have EXTREMELY limited gaming potential but you do get a faster proc.

Personally, I'd forget the gaming aspect of this box (for now) but that's just me.

Asrock itx + a4-3400 = $160 (usd)
Asus itx + g530 = $130

heres a nice guide
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559

Stronger proc vs stronger gpu.

The llano option looks like your best bet based on what you want.

 

[Arkaign]

Low-end discrete GPU is still the way to go at this point. Perhaps the next generation will change that, but Llano and Intel GPU are still ... not quite there.

If you have to use onboard/ondie, then Llano. Once you add a discrete GPU though, Intel wins.

 

[SirJangly]

Low-end discrete GPU is still the way to go at this point. Perhaps the next generation will change that, but Llano and Intel GPU are still ... not quite there.

If you have to use onboard/ondie, then Llano. Once you add a discrete GPU though, Intel wins.

I'm having trouble finding whether or not the intel onboard gpu can do well as a htpc

 

[pauldun170]

I'm having trouble finding whether or not the intel onboard gpu can do well as a htpc

Check out the link I sent.
Many people over there use them for HTPC use.
What software will you be using?

 

[86waterpumper]

what would a htpc be doing that a llano or hd2000/3000 gpu could not handle? I know alot blame the intel graphics for having the 24fps bug, but other than that I can't see what would be inadequate about it? I don't know I use onboard 4250 graphics for my htpc and it does just fine, I guess I'm not a hardcore htpc user

 

[blckgrffn]

I am still having a helluva time getting Gigabyte to support the G620 in one of their z68 boards, I would recommend getting the i3-2100 for the best compatibility. It seems like a lot less validation effort is expended on the low end chips. Plus, it looks like QuickSync is coming to FFDShow which would be good for HTPC - but you need at least an i3 for it to be supported.

 

[SirJangly]

Not sure waterpumper. Here is another option though:

ASRock E350M1 AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD A50M Hudson M1 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157228

I am guessing that is the worst of the bunch?

 

[Arkaign]

That E350 setup is agonizing. Even for just an HTPC, it's got a little bit of power to spare. The atoms are even worse.

 

[cebalrai]

I would go for the AMD A4-3400 Llano 2.7GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket FM1 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor AD3400OJGXBOX at $69.99

Much better iGPU for HTPC and light gaming

I'd go this route as well. And an ITX FM1 board with USB 3.0 for $89.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157273

It's hard to go wrong with an HTPC. Even Zacate is plenty unless you're trying to play non-accelerated 1080p video for some reason.

If you're just wanting to play videos you might want to go with something like Ubuntu or Linux Mint. HTPCs can get insanely cheap if you're not having to fork out $100 for the OS. Not sure if you're on Newegg's mailing list, but they have a promo going on right now where they're selling Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for just $80. I think you can go to their site and request a copy of it.

Lastly, not sure if you have a case picked out yet but this one has been perfect for my needs for only $50. It was just featured in Maximum PC magazine as their case of choice for a $340 M-ITX build. It's tiny but has a sturdy feel and comes with a solid PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147131

 

[SirJangly]

I'd go this route as well. And an ITX FM1 board with USB 3.0 for $89.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157273

It's hard to go wrong with an HTPC. Even Zacate is plenty unless you're trying to play non-accelerated 1080p video for some reason.

If you're just wanting to play videos you might want to go with something like Ubuntu or Linux Mint. HTPCs can get insanely cheap if you're not having to fork out $100 for the OS. Not sure if you're on Newegg's mailing list, but they have a promo going on right now where they're selling Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for just $80. I think you can go to their site and request a copy of it.

Lastly, not sure if you have a case picked out yet but this one has been perfect for my needs for only $50. It was just featured in Maximum PC magazine as their case of choice for a $340 M-ITX build. It's tiny but has a sturdy feel and comes with a solid PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147131

Thanks everyone. Would that case for for both mini AND micro itx?