HTPC/Media server

[jamst149]

OK well here it is. Unless anyone has any objections/suggestions here is what I am going with

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-2105 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($121.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H67MA-E35 (B3) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.53 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda Green 1.5TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($93.61 @ Compuvest)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($27.53 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 380W ATX12V Power Supply ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $410.15
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2011-12-27 00:03 EST-0500)


No gaming and I don't forsee much in the way of CPU intensive tasks. This is what I am choosing as an alternative to say a roku or a boxee box in order to stream HD content to my TV. On top of that I envision this housing my music/torrents and having them be accesible on my home network. I will purchase two fo the 1.5 TB HDD's for an automated backup soluion

 

[masteryoda34]

I've had very bad luck with the Seagate 5900 series. It seems none of the high capacity drives are very reliable, but I prefer Samsung. Otherwise looks good to me.

 

[boomhower]

The CPU is ovekill. You could save $40-$50 going with a G530 or G620 for your uses. Save another $20 going with a SS-350ET PSU, more than enough power for that system. If it's going to be in the living room you may want to invest that savings in a more appropriate case. I went with a Silverstone ML03 but haven't received it yet to give any real thoughts but looks wise will fit in a media cabinet nicely.

 

[jamst149]

The CPU is ovekill. You could save $40-$50 going with a G530 or G620 for your uses. Save another $20 going with a SS-350ET PSU, more than enough power for that system. If it's going to be in the living room you may want to invest that savings in a more appropriate case. I went with a Silverstone ML03 but haven't received it yet to give any real thoughts but looks wise will fit in a media cabinet nicely.

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I can save around $100+ with these changes.

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($43.34 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Biostar H61MU3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($15.98 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W ATX12V Power Supply ($48.56 @ Newegg)
Total: $292.86
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2011-12-27 14:13 EST-0500)

 

[DesiPower]

If its for HTPC, IMHO, the G series will not be enough, not without a dedicated GPU. Its, atleast GXXX + AMD HD 3XXX OR you can go with i3 2105 only. 2105 has HD3000 IPG which should be better for a HTPC. I say stick with i3

 

[jamst149]

Yeah after looking I was thinking of going with the g620 over the 530.

The 620 has HD 2000. You don't think that would suffice for simply streaming like netflix etc? I don't envision encoding/transcoding/ripping etc etc. Essentially trying to find for an alternative to a boxee box where I will have more authority over what it can run.

 

[DesiPower]

You should be OK with 620. I am not sure if you read Assassins HTPC guide, here's a quote

Option 2: Pentium Sandy Bridge:
Sandy Bridge Pentium G620 - $78
This is Intel's budget CPU based on the Sandy Bridge LGA 1155 platform that is a great option if you are not needing 3D playback and otherwise the features are roughly the same for HTPC uses. It still has plenty horsepower and costs almost half of the i3 2100. If you are building a basic HTPC and don't need 3D playback then this is the CPU for you.
Sandy Bridge Pentium G620T -$85
Similar to the G620 except lower wattage. Likely will come with the 2100T's low profile CPU fan as well.
Sandy Bridge G840 - $90
Similar to the G620 but a little more power if you need it.

Option 3: Celeron Sandy Bridge:
Intel Celeron G540 - $67
Intel Celeron G530 - $57
These are yet another option for HTPC by Intel for the most budget conscience builder or those on a strict budget. They have a 2MB cache as opposed to a 3MB for the Pentium SB and 4MB for the i3. All the Sandy Bridge processors, including these budget offerings, can bitstream HD Audio and can handle 1080p video with ease. Picture quality for the HD3000, HD2000 and HD1000 (the latter of which is found in these chips) is the exact same for 1080p HTPC use.

 

[jamst149]

great thanks so much.

 

[boomhower]

The 530 is fine for HTPC use. There is nothing taxing about it, the GPU in it is plenty capable of putting out 1080P. The 620 doesn't really gain you anything. Your paying 27% more for 17% better performance that your not going to see. These boxes don't need a lot of horsepower.

 

[jamst149]

OK then back to the 530 it is lol.

 

[mfenn]

The 530 is fine for HTPC use. There is nothing taxing about it, the GPU in it is plenty capable of putting out 1080P. The 620 doesn't really gain you anything. Your paying 27% more for 17% better performance that your not going to see. These boxes don't need a lot of horsepower.

Agree. The hardware video decoders are fixed function units anyway, and only benefit very minimally from the shaders. Anyway, the G530 is powerful enough to decode 1080P H.264 completely in software if it has to.

 

[pitz]

Ever considered a Q67 motherboard? If this is going to be a server, the Q67 will allow you to access it remotely, VNC to it natively (ie: without a VNC client installed in the OS), and generally allow it to be run headlessly. Even if the OS crashes or fails to start for whatever reason.

Its all part of the Intel AMT suite which is embedded into the Q67 platform.

Go look at some videos on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq-mHC9JYwY

I have a home server that I bought a H67 board for -- that I am itching to replace with a Q77 board once they become available (Ivy Bridge). Being able to access the console on an out-of-band VNC connection is, and control/reboot the machine remotely is, IMHO, incredibly powerful and useful.

 

[DesiPower]

I dont know... Celeron vs Real CPU, 2 vs 3 MB L3, non-HD vs HD IGP... I would feel more comfortable with 620. Besides, celeron had a terrible reputation in the past as being unstable...

 

[mfenn]

I dont know... Celeron vs Real CPU, 2 vs 3 MB L3, non-HD vs HD IGP... I would feel more comfortable with 620. Besides, celeron had a terrible reputation in the past as being unstable...

Celerons are not and have never been any less stable than any other Intel CPU. The perceived instability is due to the cheap POS mobos that they were paired with.

 

[mfenn]

Ever considered a Q67 motherboard? If this is going to be a server, the Q67 will allow you to access it remotely, VNC to it natively (ie: without a VNC client installed in the OS), and generally allow it to be run headlessly. Even if the OS crashes or fails to start for whatever reason.

Its all part of the Intel AMT suite which is embedded into the Q67 platform.

Go look at some videos on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq-mHC9JYwY

I have a home server that I bought a H67 board for -- that I am itching to replace with a Q77 board once they become available (Ivy Bridge). Being able to access the console on an out-of-band VNC connection is, and control/reboot the machine remotely is, IMHO, incredibly powerful and useful.

I'm pretty sure that an HTPC has a head by definition.

 

[pitz]

I'm pretty sure that an HTPC has a head by definition.

Yeah but its not always in the same room as the user, hehe... And if the HTPC is for a kid, being able to VNC into it to shut it off or at least monitor what the kids are watching can be useful lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7PrB5Rs3pE&feature=related

http://www.radmin.com/download/index.php <-- free viewer package; only the 'server' side has a pay license, and one wouldn't need that to monitor an Intel AMT/VPro equipped machine...

 

[darkamulets]

What kind of remote will you be using with this out of curiosity? I'm still shopping around for one that's similar to the tivo peanut if possible.

 

[DesiPower]

I use Lenovo Multimedia Remote Keyboard N5901, its $27 right now, I am very happy with it, works like a charm. Can be a little challenging if the room is dark, there is also a backlit version N5902 but its expensive right now.

 

[boomhower]

I use Lenovo Multimedia Remote Keyboard N5901, its $27 right now, I am very happy with it, works like a charm. Can be a little challenging if the room is dark, there is also a backlit version N5902 but its expensive right now.

It's $43 shipped from Lenovo right now, not to bad. I'm giving one of these a try as I intend on staying in Media Center with it.

 

[Zap]

Ever considered a Q67 motherboard? If this is going to be a server, the Q67 will allow you to access it remotely, VNC to it natively (ie: without a VNC client installed in the OS), and generally allow it to be run headlessly. Even if the OS crashes or fails to start for whatever reason.

Very interesting! I learned something new today. Thanks!

Celerons are not and have never been any less stable than any other Intel CPU. The perceived instability is due to the cheap POS mobos that they were paired with.

This. The Celeron G530 is a dual core Sandy Bridge CPU, just like all other dual core Sandy Bridge CPUs such as the Core i3-2100.

I've known people to still avoid Celerons due to them being "slow" but this one's new.

 

[mfenn]

I've known people to still avoid Celerons due to them being "slow" but this one's new.

I refuse to believe that a Celeron G530 is faster than my Pentium 4. It's a Celeron for God's sake, everyone knows that they are slow.

:awe: