New HTPC build log....

arad85

arad85

Suspended / Banned
Messages
9,438
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a little time over the next 6 weeks and I haven't built anything for ages.... I have no need for more compute computers (my current desktop is overclocked to 4.7GHz and is fine for everything I want to throw at it) and I don't really have a need for any more media computers - the atom based systems do their job nicely. Having said that, the main HTPC is 4 years old now and has about as much power as an overextended bit of knicker elastic (Atom 330 @ 1.6GHz), so, time for a new build. If I'm honest, there are a couple of niggles with it (inability to properly deinterlace content is a major gripe) plus it is noticeably slower than other HTPCs here but there isn't an overriding reason other than "I want to..." Specs are:

  • Case (already used for original HTPC): Antec Fusion HTPC
  • PSU (already in use on current HTPC): Silver Power SP-S460FL 460W fanless PSU (with an added fan just idling, just in case)
  • CPU i3-4330
  • Heatsink: Scythe Shurkien 2 B
  • 4G Corsair XMS memory
  • Asus Z87M-PLUS, Intel Z87, S 1150
  • 128GB Toshiba, 2.5" SSD, SATA III

Pics/more info in a few days. Just have a need to fill some time over the coming weeks and this will be as good a way as any.
 
It would cost LOTS of M&Ms Neil ;) :p

Some 'puter pr0n to keep you going (system is now built, just about to start installing software...)

P1010118-800.jpg


P1010127-800.jpg


P1010128-800.jpg


P1010131-800.jpg
 
That looks a neat wee heatsink.
 
Yup... Even loading the CPU flat out I haven't got CPU temps above 47 deg C. The fan spins at 650ish RPM at that temp I think and will be silent when in the box. The reviews say that at that sort of duty cycle you are in the 10-15dB range. I currently have it out on a table next to me being driven by a Corsair TX650 PSU which is louder on its own than all 4 PCs in the room put together! Now I remember why I spent loads on silent PSUs!!

I have to say I'm pleased with it so far - it's pretty fast. I'm building a bleeding edge media centre so am compiling up a lot of stuff and it's doing that quite well. Booting to command line just takes a few seconds with a stock Ubuntu 13.10 installed.
 
Love those components! Glad you are putting a decent ish os on it.

Ubuntu does well for Myth / xbmc

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Talk Photography Forums mobile app
 
Yes - always use Linux for media players - it's made for it with low level access readily available and the ability to start compiling up the latest drivers if you need it! I also have a dual sat. card to put in and will be moving my myth system over to this in the next couple of days. Bizarrely board choice came down to finding one that had a S/PDIF interface and vertical SATA ports - which was more difficult than I was expecting. The box it is going into doesn't have room for side ports.
 
A quick update:

The system is working well, although the Intel video hardware acceleration drivers under Linux are apparently a bit flakey - I've not run into this issue yet though. Having said that, the CPU is more than capable of decoding HD in software
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top