[bharath23]

I have an aging XBOX v1. I am thinking of building a new HTPC to replace it as I am addicted to XBMC. My main requirements are as follows

• Noise level, want to keep it quite
  
• Run XBMC on Linux with hardware acceleration.
  
• Ability to run a DLNA server if possible.
  
• Keep the price to minimum.
  
• 7.1ch audio and 3D capability if possible.
  

I am not very much inclined to wards the AMD Fusion Zacate solution, from my past experience linux support for ATI isnt great. I prefer not installing any proprietary drivers. I was thinking in terms of either Intel Atom or the newer Intel Sandy Bridge. I was wondering if the forum members had any suggestions.

[eskro]

problem is,
you want 7.1ch audio and 3D capability (if possible)...

this means,
you can get those with an i3 CPU but,
if you plan to use its onboard video,
you'll run into issues when playing 23.937fps movies...
your movie will stutter...
because i3 will output it to 24fps..
which is incorrect but INTEL knows about the issue
but hasnt correct it,,,
apparently, it'll be fixed in their next Bridge version..
so for Sandy Bridge, issue is still their...

i mean, i dont know what to say,,,
if you need Linux support and 3D playback,
you have to get a GeForce GT430 video card...

So to give you an idea,
you'd need at least these parts to start with,
for keeping it at 'price minimum' like u want...
so here it goes:


[mobo] Intel BOXDG43RK LGA-775 Micro-ATX ($61 + $5)
[cpu] Intel Pentium E5700 3.0GHz Dual-Core LGA-775 65W ($66 + $0)
[gpu] ASUS GeForce GT430 1GB DDR3 128-bit Low Profile ($64 + $0)
[case] SILVERSTONE ML03B Micro-ATX ($60 + $0)
[psu] Antec EarthWatts 380W ATX12V ($40 + $0)
TOTAL: ($296)

note that you still need to buy some RAM and an OS drive....

[bharath23]

I know the Sandy Bridge has issues playing 23.976fps movies which happens to be the majority. I heard that there was a software fix for it but I havent seen any comments on it. I have kind of decided on a discrete graphics card would be the only way to go. Ideally I would like to wait for the Ivy Bridge that is provided my good old xbox is still alive.

Linux support is essential as whatever money I have, I want to invest it on hardware rather than software.

[eskro]

well the build i suggest you will do what u want

[bharath23]

Any suggestions for mini-itx form factor solution. I want to see if I can find a solution of using an a/c adapter instead of a PSU.