HELP NEEDED Custom Build HTPC
#1
Hello I'm a newbie to HTPC builds so bare with me....

Please can someone suggest suitable hardware for the following, the reason I'm thinking of a custom build rather than an out of the box offering e.g Asrock is that small form factor does not matter as it will be tucked away under the stairs with a long HDMI cable and IR receiver for connectivity. Because of this I think I should be able to build it cheaper i.e. because it does not need to be small factor sized - is my thinking correct here?

Usage
- Will be used for watching movies that are 1080p Blu-ray rips with DTS sound and also a few 3D rips
- Will also initially be used as a media server until I can afford to buy one separately
- Wont be used for gaming

Requirements
- Needs to be able to play 3D movies flawlessly
- Needs to output DTS-HD sound using bitstreaming
- Blu-ray drive not necessary initially as will be playing rips but will probably get one in the future so will need expansion space
- Size/location not an issue - so doesn't need the expense of silent operation and doesn't need to be small form factor.
- Space for at least 4 internal hard drives and USB 3.0 connectivity for 4 external hard drives
- needs to have HDMI out, (multiple outputs and the ability to watch different movies at different locations would be advantageous but not a must)
- gigabit networking

Look forward to your suggestions



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#2
Ok so after some research it seems this is a decent CPU:

Intel Core i3 3225 3.3GHz Socket LGA1155
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel-cor...che-retail

What motherboard and memory would people recommend to pair that with?

Also in terms of gpu is this overkill given that I don't need gaming capability?
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-gigab...-sub-dvi-d
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#3
Since your will be using a discrete GPU anyway, you can opt for this "Intel Core i3 3220". It is the same CPU, and it is cheaper. This cheaper "2GB Sapphire HD 6670" should be more than enough for HTPC.....
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#4
Thanks bluray - much appreciated - in terms of motherboard and memory what would you recommend to pair with the i3 3220 given my requirements?

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#5
(2012-12-03, 17:36)willcmuk Wrote: Thanks bluray - much appreciated - in terms of motherboard and memory what would you recommend to pair with the i3 3220 given my requirements?
Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H and Corsair Memory Vengeance should do the trick....
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
Reply
#6
Brilliant - thanks Bluray, I'm almost there with my shopping list Smile

So:

CPU - Intel Core i3 3225 Ivy Bridge Dual Core http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel-cor...che-retail
Memory - Corsair Memory Vengeance Jet Black Low Profile 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz CAS 9 XMP Dual Channel http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-(2x4g...-24-xmp-15
GPU - Sapphire HD6670 AMD/ATI Graphics Card - 2GB http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-sapph...d-sub-hdmi
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H Intel Z77 Socket 1155 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-...i-d-hdmi-a

Undecided
OS HDD - ? - Crucial 64GB RealSSD M4 SSD http://www.scan.co.uk/products/64gb-cruc...0-iops-max
Storage HD - Western Digital 2TB RE4 Enterprise Hard Drive 24x7x365 - http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2tb-weste...-cache-ncq
PSU - No idea here!
Case - ? http://www.scan.co.uk/products/72antec-9...an-w-o-psu


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#7
The Crucial M4 is definitely a good choice for the OS HDD. I'm not sure why you would need to pay the significant difference for the enterprise WD hard drive. They're usually much more expensive than a green drive, which is all you need. If you're worried about data, you could run 2x2Tb green drives in RAID 1 since the Z77 supports that.
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#8
If you don't need all the "bling" of the Antec 900, check out the Antec 300: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/antec-300...w-version) . This is my favorite "under the stairs, in a closet, etc.: case. This is a nice power supply: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/380w-seas...mm-fan-psu

Looking at the list of what you want to do with this, it doesn't seem like you need the HD6670 discrete GPU. You should try the integrated GPU on the i3-3225 and then if needed, drop in a discrete card later. I don't think you'll need to though. The GPU in the i3-3225 is very good for HTPC duties and will do all the things you list in your first post.
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#9
Thanks Dougie very helpful, so I can get True-HD from the intel?
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#10
(2012-12-03, 20:36)willcmuk Wrote: Thanks Dougie very helpful, so I can get True-HD from the intel?

Yes, all modern CPUs with integrated GPU support HD audio bitstreaming. It's actually a function of the integrated GPU.
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#11
(2012-12-03, 20:36)willcmuk Wrote: so I can get True-HD from the intel?
Yes, you can but you'll have stronger HTPC with a discrete GPU. The CPU and GPU I suggested in 3rd post is cheaper than what you listed in your 2nd post.....

>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
Reply
#12
(2012-12-03, 18:49)willcmuk Wrote: Brilliant - thanks Bluray, I'm almost there with my shopping list Smile
PSU - No idea here!
Case - ? http://www.scan.co.uk/products/72antec-9...an-w-o-psu
Since you have a big case, this "Seasonic Bronze S12II-520 520W" should have enough power for future upgrades.....


(2012-12-03, 18:49)willcmuk Wrote: OS HDD - ? - Crucial 64GB RealSSD M4 SSD http://www.scan.co.uk/products/64gb-cruc...0-iops-max
64GB should be plenty for OS....
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
Reply

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