[dvandriesen]

Been doing some serious research and wanted to see what the thoughts are on this build. I am coming from a Raspberry Pi and would just like 1080p to play flawlessly. Will just be using XBMC to start no OS only streaming from XBMC addons.


Foxconn RM3-H2 BareBones (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856119066) $90
This would include PSU/CASE/MB Intel H61

Intel Celeron G530 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...tel%20g530) $49
RAM- G.SKill 2X4GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231396) $22
Total: $160 not including shipping

I would just run XBMC off usb flash drive so no need for HDD

Or Should I go with a Intel G860 (http://www.directron.com/bx80623g860.html) $67

Would I notice much of a difference for the price? Any other help on the barebones case would be great or any other insight really just want something to start out in the HTPC scene as the Raspberry Pi is just a tease. Thanks

[dvandriesen]

Any insight would be great it looks like it should be good from all my research but this is my first htpc build.

[nikc0069]

If you are planning on not using a discreet Graphics card yuo just need to check the integrated graphics on each one really - assuming this isn't going to be doing anything more than XBMC?

Having said that - shop around and you can get a half decent i3 for very little nowadays, which is the way I would go if building my htpc again (probably)

[dvandriesen]

It would only be used for XBMC but i would like to be able to stream 1080p Flawlessly i have heard i would need a better graphics card for that?

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This would be better you think?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819115078

[aptalca]

For just 1080p, the G530 is plenty

You do not need a discrete graphics card either

With intel, you will most likely be using software decoding anyway, and that processor is plenty powerful for that

The one thing it won't do is 3D, if you care for that

[polkaroo]

For just 1080p, the G530 is plenty

You do not need a discrete graphics card either

With intel, you will most likely be using software decoding anyway, and that processor is plenty powerful for that

The one thing it won't do is 3D, if you care for that

It looks like you won't have complete HD audio streaming. No OS = Linux USB key?

I've been asking this question on the forums myself . The overall response is a Nvidia card would be needed. Just before I borked my existing machine, it was an AMD Sempron with a MSI 210 card running XBMCbuntu via USB and it was able to play 1080p with no issues (changing HD audio streams to LPCM).

[dvandriesen]

I was planning on running the OS off usb I was under the impression you could run something like xbmcbuntu via usb did i misunderstand that?

[polkaroo]

I was planning on running the OS off usb I was under the impression you could run something like xbmcbuntu via usb did i misunderstand that?

Yes, you can. Video will be fine too. HD audio is the thing that is *quite* not there for Intel video, unless you use a Nvidia card like the GT430.

[aptalca]

I thought intel was able to convert HD audio to LPCM and send it over hdmi. I thought it was the bitstreaming that had issues. Well, I never messed around with HD audio. I am perfectly fine with my 5.1 DTS

And by the way, you can also use openelec off of a flash drive. I like it because it is more appliance-like

[Vertigo]

Your Pi should be able to play 1080p flawlessly. If it doesnt, then either you have a network issue (assuming you stream over the lan), or you are letting it do audio decode rather than passing through. You mention DTS, so I assume you have a DTS capable receiver, right? Have you configured it as such in XBMC and are you using HDMI passthrough? Did you connect it to the receiver, rather than the TV?

edit: it wasnt you that mentioned DTS. So perhaps you dont have a DTS decoder, and you are letting the Pi do the decoding. Try playing the back the audio track that matches your decoder. If you only have a stereo TV, use the stereo audio track.

Another possibility is that you are using VC1 codecs. You need to buy a licence key to enable accelerated VC1 playback:
http://www.raspberrypi.com/vc-1-license-key/

1.44 euro is cheaper than a new HTPC .