Building HTPC

bastic

bastic

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Lukas
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After stopping my SKY sub, I started using my Laptop to stream some TV programs to my TV.
As this laptop was meant to last ages on battery bit wasn't too fast and struggled a bit.
Almost bought a laptop from a neighbour of mine but Ive noticed he has a Zotac PC-the tiny one that he uses for XBMC.....
So it gave me an idea to build one myself as TV programs I am watching are using XBMC plugin as well :)
And when needed, my GF can use PC to work on her documents on big screen so win win:)

Bought AMD A8-5600k( planned to get A6 but changed it to A8), mini-ITX mobo, small Silverstone case and a SSD drive -sata2 only but it will do for £50:)
Have some spare DDR3 ram.
Could do without SSD but wanted it to be as fast as possible. Without SSD it would be around £210,went for bigger case with slot for disc drive as I plan to get a bluray on it and sell my bluray player as well.

On top of that, I will install win8pro I have bought for £26 :)

Once it all arrives I plan do make a build log.
Anyone interested in seeing it? Or should I not bother?:)
 
I'll be interested in your experience... All my htpcs run Linux - be interested in your experience with win...
 
is there a version of Linux that is easy to install and has easy /clear interface ?
it will be a PC for my other half when tablet wont be enough - ie word etc
and I have win8 that is not being used anyway :)
 
I'd be interested to see how you get on. I've been through a few windows based Htpc in the past, consequently I scrapped them all and ended up with a wdtv as they all had flaws.

Main thing is don't waste your money overspecing it, I've had core2 chips with 4gb and cheap onboard or passive hdmi cards playing back hd and bluray. I don't see the point of an ssd, presumably all of your media will be on large disks anyway so it'll only help with boot times.
 
Ssd was only 50 for 128gb so not bad.
Please remember that it will be used as a 'normal' PC now and then. Not only htpc
 
I run Windows Server 2012 on a last-gen Zotac Atom box, 4gb ram, SSD + a few TB of external disk.

Works a treat, use XBMC with a mysql library that is shared with the other XBMC clients.
 
I have s simple Seriio installed on main PC on which I hold all music and videos.
Hopefully that will share with XBMC on htpc
 
SSD = quiet Neil ;) The bedroom system is silent...

As to Linux, what does she require from a "normal" PC. You can configure a keyboard in xbmc to boot something like chrome if all you want to be able to do is surf...
 
All is in place apart from ssd that was delivered one day late...need to get better and quiet cooler for CPU and am considering getting rid of a fan from case as well....it is quite noisy at the moment...
Had some blue screens already and not sure why...will try to investigate over next weekend.
 
BSOD: what does it say?
 
cant remember now.
there were different ones..
 
arad85 said:
SSD = quiet Neil ;) The bedroom system is silent...

As to Linux, what does she require from a "normal" PC. You can configure a keyboard in xbmc to boot something like chrome if all you want to be able to do is surf...
Click to expand...


surf, word processing, and some game time to time - but if there will be someone playing games, it will be me ;)

now Steam is availible for linux...need to find out if all Steam games run on it...
 
I've run a windows htpc for years, no real problems with it. Currently run media portal because XBMC doesn't interface with tv cards, I think I read somewhere that the new version of XBMC will, so I'll have a look at that sometime.

Mine is i3 based.
 
New version of XBMC has been released with TV tuner support. I used to use MediaPortal for the same reason, but it is a really really nasty piece of software compard to XBMC. You'll be glad you changed!
 
I use DVBviewer and its been solid for the past 6 months. Never really got into XBMC...
 
had no time to play with it yet...
SSD still packed...am awaiting 2400MHz ram on Friday ;D it is 2x8GB lol so bit of an overkill :D but it was a good price

IGP is running at 760MHz as stock..will try to push it up to at least 1GHz :) hence need for fast memory.

if it wont go, will replace it with my 1866 from main PC as I do hope that I will get at least 900MHz from GPU...

bring on the Friday - and time over weekend :)

I can always try to use one stick of 8GB and overclock it - IGP takes only 2GB max and 6GB would be plenty
 
I think I know what is casing crashes...RAM was under powered...it is 1.9 ant it was running on 1.1V lol

still max for this mobo is 1.8...

don't think I will have problem overclocking :)
 
Late update...
Had to return As rock MOBO as they tend to catch fire!!!
Replaced for MSI that appeared to be better :)
Used old Corsair Vengeance 1866MHz 8gb ram.
With this CPU runs easily at 4GHz, and gpu was overclocked to 900MHz (and something) from 760MHz.
NB is 2000MHz.
It is capable of playing games in Full HD

Unfortunately, SHMBO decided that she wants a laptop now....so it is no good for me anymore....if anyone fancies it, it is for sale in classifieds for a bargain price ;)
Pretty sure it will run lightroom and CS with ease :)
 
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