Possible HTPC

[OverClockerNoob]

This will be my first actual HTPC...I use my current setup to host drives across the network and my Nixeus Media Player will play pretty much everything, but it does have issues with MKV skipping/studdering/some xvid codecs the audio is off. Support for these boxes has somewhat dwindled and many responses are "the hardware doesn't support it". Well I figured I would build an HTPC because the SAME files play fine on my PC and the audio stays in sync.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

HTPC

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

approx $600ish...unless more is needed

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA, newegg, anywhere i can order it less expensive

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

nope...

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I do have a logitech harmony one remote... i chose a case that comes with a remote in hopes of using the harmony one... if someone has a better case/idea please let me know

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

yes... many seem to use a separate graphics card.. i chose a processor with graphics...not sure which is better was going for something that would easily fit in a small case

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

default unless a better solution/easy solution is given.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

not gaming mostly movies/videos/internet...but resolution 1080p

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

in the next couple of months.. depending on replies/suggestions...and possibly more research..

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
ok..

Software... planning on XBMC(Eden) unless someone can link me to something MUCH better and supports MORE codecs...
Case:
Antec Black Aluminum / Steel Fusion Remote Black Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129054 135.99 + 14.99 S&H

Motherboard:
ASRock A55M-HVS FM1 AMD A55 (Hudson D2) HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157277 58.99 + 6.98 S&H

Processor
AMD A4-3400 Llano 2.7GHz Socket FM1 65W Dual-Core Desktop APU with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6410D AD3400OJGXBOX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103955 69.99 + free S&H

Memory:

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104206 24.99 + free shipping

Harddrive:
HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721075DLE630 (0F13179) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145532 99.99 + 6.29 S&H

Bluray Drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136239 79.99 + 4.99 S&H

PowerSupply:

Athena Power AP-MPS3ATX40 400W Micro PS3 / ATX12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready DELL, HP Upgrades/Replacement Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338009 29.99 + 3.99 S&h


If anyone has any better Ideas....Reason this was even thought of was due to my setup... for some reason some encodes on xvid are out of sync on my Nixeus. My older Onkyo TX-SR876 went out just after warranty this past summer... and the new reciever I bought Pioneer SC-37 is awesome but doesn't have autosync built in.. so I have to sometimes set the audio sync in milliseconds??? and while most out of sync happens to be between 6.5-7.5... at times its 9... This is actually embarassing when you invite friends over to watch stuff and you have to stop and correct the audio.. and you can't pause it because it reverts back, so you have to stop it and then press play again...I tried one of my older Mediagate boxes and the same thing happens.. I just never noticed it due to my reciever. Again these same files will play perfectly on my computers..so there's the reason for my HTPC build(easily upgradable/updatable).

If i could build one that is as small as the Nixues/Mediagate/media players and gave me the same options that would be great.. but wanted to see what experienced builders have done/suggested..

 

[billyb0b]

spend a little more on a decent PSU. go with a quality brand like silverstone, antec, corsair, thermaltake

 

[Zap]

Definitely better PSU. The Antec case is pretty deep, so you don't need a super short PSU. You just can't use one that is super long. Which you choose will depend on if any are on sale, but I would look for ones like the Antec Neo Eco 400c, Antec EarthWatts EA380, XFX Core 450W, any Seasonic 350W. You should be able to find one under $50 that is a lot better quality, efficiency and quieter than the PSU you linked.

You can also go with a cheaper case and an external IR receiver. I see some available (USB interface) for under $10. Just hide it under the case, if it is thinner than the feet. One possible cheaper case is the Silverstone Milo ML03B, which runs $60 with free shipping at Amazon.

EDIT: Build your own

 

[mfenn]

Given that it sounds like you will be using this solely to play videos, I would go with an Intel setup. The GPU isn't at as good as Llano, but the idle power consumption simply can't be beat. I agree with Zap and billybob, you need to get a better PSU in there. With that in mind:

- CPU: Pentium G620 $80
- Mobo: ASRock H61M-GE $63
- PSU: Neo Eco 400C $40

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Given that it sounds like you will be using this solely to play videos, I would go with an Intel setup. The GPU isn't at as good as Llano, but the idle power consumption simply can't be beat. I agree with Zap and billybob, you need to get a better PSU in there. With that in mind:

- CPU: Pentium G620 $80
- Mobo: ASRock H61M-GE $63
- PSU: Neo Eco 400C $40

Just saw this thread and I'm thinking of a similar build using one of the Llano apu's like the OP. Mfenn, if you're recommending an Intel cpu, would the cpu alone handle blu ray playback on it's own? Or do you recommend a discrete gpu as well? Even if the build is specifically for an HTPC?

 

[Binky]

The G620 with the H61 chipset will be able to play blu-ray content without an addtional graphics card. If you need 3D capability, you may want to push the CPU a little higher.

For basic HTPC info, a great place to start is "Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide" (google it).

 

[jdjbuffalo]

I agree with mfenn. Go with the Intel.

 

[OverClockerNoob]

hmm.. thanks for the advice... will definitely do somemore reading/searching..

appreciate all the feedback..

 

[mfenn]

Just saw this thread and I'm thinking of a similar build using one of the Llano apu's like the OP. Mfenn, if you're recommending an Intel cpu, would the cpu alone handle blu ray playback on it's own? Or do you recommend a discrete gpu as well? Even if the build is specifically for an HTPC?

A G620 is powerful enough to play back a couple of Blu-ray's simultaneously with absolutely no GPU assist. Decoding a highish bitrate H.264 stream (i.e. Blu-ray) is just not the task that it used to be.

 

[velis]

I have a HTPC built around i3-2100 and one built around A4-3400. While the processors are both capable of working their magic, if you have interlaced SD material, don't go with Intel. Deinterlacer simply suxx.
Also since this is HTPC only, maybe you should think about getting yourself a lower power PSU. The entire setup will be burning about 30 - 40W, so using a power supply like the 75W one in LC Mini ITX 1360 might shave off a few watts in the power outlet.
Also since the HDD obviously isn't main storage you might want to consider using a SSD for the OS (at least 2nd generation that is). It would make the UI *extremely* responsive and drop power usage another watt or so.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I have a HTPC built around i3-2100 and one built around A4-3400. While the processors are both capable of working their magic, if you have interlaced SD material, don't go with Intel. Deinterlacer simply suxx.
Also since this is HTPC only, maybe you should think about getting yourself a lower power PSU. The entire setup will be burning about 30 - 40W, so using a power supply like the 75W one in LC Mini ITX 1360 might shave off a few watts in the power outlet.
Also since the HDD obviously isn't main storage you might want to consider using a SSD for the OS (at least 2nd generation that is). It would make the UI *extremely* responsive and drop power usage another watt or so.

What is "interlaced SD" or "interlaced" mean? Never heard of the term but I'm a noob to htpc and video stuff for the pc.

 

[illram]

You could do something like a G530, cheap mini H61 mobo, plus an SSD (for silence) in something like an Antec ISK 300-65, which includes the option for a low profile card if the G530 doesn't cut it. Plus, reviews of this case indicate that the PSU is actually capable of 135w, so you can buy a 120w power brick and use that instead if you go with a low profile card, such as a 5450, which sells for around $30. (Which would be cheaper than buying a 2100T or anything with HD2000 or HD3000 graphics.) (See this page of reviews discussing the PSU.) I'd be a little concerned about 65w pushing a discrete GPU, even if it was a low power one. Last time I priced this system it was around $600.00.

Remember you want your HTPC to be quiet. So whatever you do, make sure you have the ability to control fan speed and get a low power and quiet PSU. There really is no need for much more than 150w in an HTPC, and that's on the high end. For a totally onboard solution 65w should be fine. You could also look into Pico PSUs, which are completely silent. (The ISK 300-65 comes with something similar.)

 

[mfenn]

I have a HTPC built around i3-2100 and one built around A4-3400. While the processors are both capable of working their magic, if you have interlaced SD material, don't go with Intel. Deinterlacer simply suxx.

Don't use the DXVA deinterlacer then. The i3 has plenty of power to drive a good software deinterlacing algo.

 

[velis]

What is "interlaced SD" or "interlaced" mean? Never heard of the term but I'm a noob to htpc and video stuff for the pc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlaced_video
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDTV

Don't use the DXVA deinterlacer then. The i3 has plenty of power to drive a good software deinterlacing algo.

Turns out it can't. There are other factors to consider and all in all, it comes up short when deinterlacing 1080i. But that's not the topic here, so let's leave it at that.

 

[mfenn]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlaced_video
Turns out it can't. There are other factors to consider and all in all, it comes up short when deinterlacing 1080i. But that's not the topic here, so let's leave it at that.

Links > FUD

 

[velis]

I'm sorry, I'd love to give you links, but that's just my personal experience with my HTPC. I tried decoding in ffdshow (all software), but it couldn't manage, so I went back to hardware decoding. Though I admit that for some reason MediaPortal using ffdshow takes a lot more CPU that MPC-HC using the same filters. That's why I said there are other factors to consider.
Take it as FUD if you want, but for me CPU decoding is just not feasible.

 

[mfenn]

If you couldn't make it work, that's one thing and you should have stated such. That is not the same as a technical limitation of the chip. As a test, I disabled two of the cores of my i7 and ran pure software through MPC-HC and it worked fine.