[Superorb]

My 12 year old Pentium 3 HTPC has finally kicked the bucket, so I'm looking for recommendations on a new build. I'm fine with AMD or Intel, I've built systems using both. I have an 8400GS from the old box that I could use, but that would likely require a mATX when I'd like to keep it mITX if possible. I'd like it to satisfy the following:

1. Very small, the smaller the better
   
2. Efficient
   
3. 2D 1080P high bitrate Rips
   
4. Game Emulators (SNES, N64)
   
5. I'd prefer a power brick instead of an internal PSU, but I wouldn't be against one.
   

I do have a Microcenter 30 minutes away if it helps. I wish I got in on the Antec ISK-300 for $35 a few weeks ago, I would've just used that.

[lightshow12]

I would recommend my build linked in my signature since I also have Hyperspin setup on it with all the game emulators (ie SNES, n64, NES, Genesis, etc.) seamless integrated (using a 360 controller, ps2 controller, and now actual N64 Controllers!


Very small, the smaller the better Check (could be smaller like zotac or foxconn, but i need an optical drive)
Efficient (my autosleeps)
2D 1080P high bitrate Rips (Plays 1080p Waterworld mkv perfectly)
Game Emulators (SNES, N64) (check)
I'd prefer a power brick instead of an internal PSU, but I wouldn't be against one. (This has internal PSU, but the whole thing is almost silent except for the dvd-rom spinning up when you insert a disk)

[hydog]

The link in your sig doesn't work...

I would recommend my build linked in my signature since I also have Hyperspin setup on it with all the game emulators (ie SNES, n64, NES, Genesis, etc.) seamless integrated (using a 360 controller, ps2 controller, and now actual N64 Controllers!


Very small, the smaller the better Check (could be smaller like zotac or foxconn, but i need an optical drive)
Efficient (my autosleeps)
2D 1080P high bitrate Rips (Plays 1080p Waterworld mkv perfectly)
Game Emulators (SNES, N64) (check)
I'd prefer a power brick instead of an internal PSU, but I wouldn't be against one. (This has internal PSU, but the whole thing is almost silent except for the dvd-rom spinning up when you insert a disk)

[bluray]

here one great choice- (it's tiny and it can handles BD and streaming 1080P and DTS-HD/TrueHD with ease):

1. APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX
2. ASRock E350M1/USB3
3. Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV125-S2/30GB
4. Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
5. SilenX IXP-74-09 120mm Case Fan
6. HP MCE Remote Control
7. LG Black 10X BD-ROM
8. Buffalo Technology MiniStation Stealth 1 TB USB 3.0

[Superorb]

The link in your sig doesn't work...

+1. It doesn't work for me either.

here one great choice- (it's tiny and it can handles BD and streaming 1080P and DTS-HD/TrueHD with ease):

1. APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX
2. ASRock E350M1/USB3
3. Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV125-S2/30GB
4. Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
5. SilenX IXP-74-09 120mm Case Fan
6. HP MCE Remote Control
7. LG Black 10X BD-ROM
8. Buffalo Technology MiniStation Stealth 1 TB USB 3.0

I've looked at the Zacate boards, but several people have said to avoid them if you're doing Live/OpenELEC, and that's what I'm going to put on there. It will not do emulators though.

[bluray]

It will not do emulators though.

Tested with AMD Zacate E-350:

[lightshow12]

Ah, I looks like something happened to the video. I'll have to re-upload it.

Here are the specs of what I built:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=104465

[bluray]

Ah, I looks like something happened to the video. I'll have to re-upload it.

Here are the specs of what I built:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=104465

it's very similar spec as post #4, but slightly lower spec than post #4

[Superorb]

Ah, I looks like something happened to the video. I'll have to re-upload it.

Here are the specs of what I built:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=104465

Will everything work on an install of XBMC Live though? I've heard that the Zacate boards work great with Win7 but not on Linux, and I'm doing Linux Live install.

[eskro]

Superorb, sorry, i just came back from FLORiDA
What i suggest you is to start either with one of these 2 barebone builds:

[Mini-ITX] Celeron-E3400 (2x2.6Ghz) + X4500HD ($216)
[Mini-ITX] Pentium-G620 (2x2.6Ghz) + GT210 ($251)

no matter which of these 2 you'll choose,
they'll do "2D 1080P high bitrate Rips" + "Game Emulators (SNES, N64)"
and they'll play nice with Linux,,,
i'd still avoid ATi for now,,,,
unLess you like headaches

Now from there, if u want a smaller case,
in my HTPC guide,
i've listed some miniITX cases you could check out!
They are listed in the second post of my HTPC guide...
http://ow.ly/1s4Jcf
** if u choose another case, u might not need to buy that extra SilenX fan **

now, PSU wise, depending on your case,
of course, you can always get a PICO-PSU,,,
90W Power Brick will suffice for any of those 2 builds there,,,,

OK, happy shopping!!