[jabster]

Hi.

So I've decided to build an XBMC HTPC. Looked at the guides, hardware requirements, etc. However, I'd like some feedback from folks In The Know before plunking out the cash.

Here's what I'm looing at:
Case: APEX SK-393-C (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...20SK-393-C)
Motherboard: ASRock N68C-GS FX AM3+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...X%20AM3%2b)
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 270 Regor 3.4GHz
RAM: 2G DDR3
Video: EVGA 01G-P3-1313-KR GeForce 210 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814130606)
HD (if required): Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V30GB2A 2.5" 30GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...0GB%20SATA)
PS: Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817182199)

The main open issue is sound: I have an old PCI Soundblaster Live 5.1. Will that work ok? I'm also looking at this: ASUS Xonar DS 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI, as an upgrade or now if recommended. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6829132013)

One comment on the audio: I need to have digital output (optical or coax) for sound, as my amp, while good, does not support HDMI. So, the HDMI will go to the TV, and the sound will go to the amp. I currently only need 5.1. Amp supports DTS and 7.1.

I am going to run Linux. The question I have on the HD is: will OpenElec run on what I have listed, or will I need the HD (vs a USB key for openelec)?

I'll worry about an IR remote later and will use my OG Droid for now.

Usage: Streaming SD & HD MKVs over the LAN and from USB drives. If youtube works, great; if not, no biggie. No netfllix, etc.

That's basically it. Any feedback or suggestions is most welcome.

Thanks,
John

[teeedubb]

Build looks good, you have a very similar setup to me + your audio needs are the same. The gt210 is getting a bit old, have you had a look at a gt430? Insted of a sound card how about a motherboard with a optical out? I personally love ssd's so I say get one, but I am not sure of the performance difference with openelec. Im currently using [PATCH] Dual Audio Output support for XBMC (Eden Updated) to achieve what you want with audio outputs, stereo via hdmi to tv and dd + dts via optical to receiver, it works really well.

[jabster]

teeedubb,

Well, I found this MB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157260
Optical 7.1. Two PCI slots for expansion. I'd still use the add-on video card tho.

But what the heck is an FM1 socket? I used to stay current on all this stuff, but Real Life caught up to me....Is this CPU OK for an HTPC: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819106013 Looks like I'd need an aftermarket fan tho.

And then video would be this I suppose then: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814130656

Thanks,
John

---

P.S. Would I need that dual audio patch for the optical audio output? I don't care about audio to the TV. It's muted all the time.

[Dougie Fresh]

What you have there will work but it's basically the hardware (except the tower) I built my first HTPC with in 2008.

This combination: A6-3500 + ASrock A75M micro-ATX motherboard is a very popular and well supported combination you'll find a lot of information about on there forums (search for A6-PACK). Pair that with a GT520 or GT610 if you really have to but I'd look into using the integrated GPU.

There is also the FM2 socket now, so A6-5400K + FM2 A75.

[lagledavid]

What you have there will work but it's basically the hardware (except the tower) I built my first HTPC with in 2008.

This combination: A6-3500 + ASrock A75M micro-ATX motherboard is a very popular and well supported combination you'll find a lot of information about on there forums (search for A6-PACK). Pair that with a GT520 or GT610 if you really have to but I'd look into using the integrated GPU.

There is also the FM2 socket now, so A6-5400K + FM2 A75.

Wow Dougie your actualt sugesting amd this is a first.

[Dougie Fresh]

Wow Dougie your actualt sugesting amd this is a first.

LOL. Hardly. I love the A6-PACK! It's my most popular build! But, for mini-ITX I do like Intel best because of the heat factor. But this isn't a mini-ITX build.

It all depends... though I was thinking Intel for Linux because of really good driver support but the OP started with an AMD so I figured he want to know about the latest AMD . If adding a discrete card I'd still say Intel + discrete card is a better combination than AMD + discrete card.

[jabster]

So this what I'm up to now:
MB: ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157260)
CPU: AMD A4-3300 Llano 2.5GHz Socket FM1 65W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819106013)
RAM (2G): 1x 240-Pin DDR3
HD (SSD): Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V30GB2A 2.5" 30GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Case: APEX SK-393-C
Power Supply: Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W
Fan: ENERMAX UC-8EB 80mm Case Fan
Video: EVGA 01G-P3-1335-KR GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 64-bit

And it sounds like I can always add the GT-430 later if I need to. I've never used AMD/ATI cards with Linux. (Well, not quite...I did try ATI a long time ago and it never really worked....hence my switch to NVIDIA). I know NVIDIA works well with Linux so I like sticking with that.

However, with the integrated GPU, I suppose I can always give it a shot if you think it'll work.

Going to an FM2 would add about $10 to the cost...might do that instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157334

Good to go?

Thanks,
John



P.S. From the newegg comments on the CPU: "Cons: The built-in GPU doesn't place nice with Linux of any kind, and AMD's website doesn't give driver support for this APU, only going down to the A4-3400." So maybe I will grab the video card.
Tho the FM2 seems ok on linux: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819113283

[teeedubb]

Ah I misread your post, only audio to optical - yeah you wont need the patch for that and that will work fine. Dougie Fresh is right in saying intel has great driver support but in terms of video playback I'd say nvidia is on currently ontop. If you do try the amd video let us know how it goes. My opinion on your build is get a cpu + nvidia card - vdpau has been around for yonks in xbmc while I believe that xvba wont be making it into frodo and if you do want a apu look at intel over amd.

[RealDealNeil]

If the motherboard has an SPDIF header, add a SPDIF bracket to get optical out. It normally runs $10. I got a deal on a ECS motherboard with HDMI and plan to add a SPDIF bracket. It ended up cheaper than getting a mobo with optical out.

Here's an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/V-2-Gigabyte12CR...35b48a3c76

[Dougie Fresh]

If you're going to use a discrete GPU, then go with an Intel CPU and motherboard. Even the G530 is going to have more CPU power than the A4-3300. Pair that a H61 motherboard (some are available with SPDIF out) and you've got a great machine.

[jabster]

If the motherboard has an SPDIF header, add a SPDIF bracket to get optical out. It normally runs $10. I got a deal on a ECS motherboard with HDMI and plan to add a SPDIF bracket. It ended up cheaper than getting a mobo with optical out.

Here's an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/V-2-Gigabyte12CR...35b48a3c76

Ooh. Thanks for that. That could open up my options a bit and hopefully lower my costs.

And regarding Intel....I don't even know where to start with those anymore. I guess an H61 MB like Dougie says?.....But why Intel? I initially moved to AMD because of price, and I basically just stuck with it.

-john

[Dougie Fresh]

If it's been awhile, look a price/performance again. You can get a G530 for $40 and it'll run circles around the A4-3300. What AMD brings to the table is a good integrated GPU. What Intel brings to the table is a good CPU. If you're going to not use the integrated GPU, then the best CPU makes sense.

[jabster]

So now I've got this:
CPU: Intel Celeron G530 Sandy Bridge 2.4GHz LGA 1155 65W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...9&Tpk=g530)
MB: ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157303)
Video: EVGA 01G-P3-1335-KR GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 64-bit
(everything else the same)

A bit surprised by the Celeron recommendation, but ok. Thought those were lower end, but again, it's been awhile. (And I've learned the hard way that Semprons are essentially crap.)

Two more questions to throw at you:
1) Can I run OpenElec on that and skip the 30G HD?
2) If I decide to expand the use of this box, will that CPU allow me to record HD OTA, preferably while watching at the same time? (If I need significantly better hardware to make it a tivo I'll skip this option entirely for now.)

Thanks,
John

[Dougie Fresh]

A4-3300 passmark = 1702
G530 passmark = 2310

The G530 might be called "Celeron" but it's still a 2.4GHz dual-core SandyBridge CPU -- no slouch at all.

My main livingroom HTPC is a G530 + HD5450. I record from a CableCard tuner, watch TV and serve an extender all at the same time without hiccups.

If you're feeling nervous about it though, for $1 more also at Newegg.com you can get 100Mhz more with the G540. Or, if you feel though you want even more CPU, this is a great deal: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor G850 2.9GHz 5.0GT/s 3MB LGA1155 CPU $63 + $7 shipping with - $6 off with coupon code SBZ4PRZ = $64 shipped, so $16 more than the G530.

AFAIK, (at least from everything I've read in these forums) Intel + NVIDIA is a good OpenELEC combination.

[jabster]

Thanks for the info and advice. I'll be buying this stuff just between Thanksgiving and Xmas most likely. Hopefully prices will drop by then or I'll find some nice Black Friday-type deals on some of the components.

Thanks,
John