[OpenRoadSong]

Looking to "build" my first HTPC. After looking around at all the technical aspects of this process I am currently planning to work from a barebones system unless convinced otherwise. Did some research and these are two boxes I've hobbled together. I would prefer to go with the cheaper option if people think it will work (I am in group 5 or 6), but I am open to suggestions. I like the small streamlined size of both of these cases.

I am just looking for some suggestions of better ways to go, or if anyone notices anything that isn't compatible.

BOX 1:
http://www.ecosmartpc.com/ei5a63500.html - $324.99
MEMORY:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231460 - $54.99
HARDDRIVE:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...llFullInfo - $99.99
CONTROLER ADAPTOR:
http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/product...apter.aspx - $47.99

TOTAL
$527.96

or...

BOX 2:
http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/product...ebone.aspx - $191.98
MEMORY:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231212 - $28.98
HARDDRIVE:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...llFullInfo - $99.99
CONTROLER ADAPTOR:
http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/product...apter.aspx - $47.99

TOTAL
$368.94

[OPTIONAL for either?] Graphics Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814133453 - $59.99

THANK YOU!


P.S. does anyone have suggestions on how to run the software. Over windows or OpenELEC+Pulse? Ideas?

[bluray]

How about this handsome Intel NUC- Intel Next Unit of Computing Kit with Dual HDMI, Gigabit LAN, Core i3-3217U DC3217IYE

XBMC users are enjoying it in this thread- Intel NUC - HTPC possibilities

[OpenRoadSong]

Decent little machine, but no USB 3.0 and it needs a lot of extra parts to be a functional box, which means that the cost is going to be closer to the cost of machine #1.

[Dougie Fresh]

BOX 1:
http://www.ecosmartpc.com/ei5a63500.html - $324.99
MEMORY:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820104259 - $64.99
HARDDRIVE:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...llFullInfo - $99.99
CONTROLER ADAPTOR:
http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/product...apter.aspx - $47.99

[OPTIONAL for either?] Graphics Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814133453 - $59.99

Hi, a few comments for you on your build here. The RAM you've chosen is SO-DIMM RAM which is not compatible with the motherboard that comes with the E-i5 A6-3500. You just need regular DDR3-1866 DIMMs. Also, the E-i5 case does not have an expansion slot so you won't be able to add a graphics card.

To help design a build for you, can you say what you'd like to do with your HTPC? There are many options on the ecosmartpc.com website and depending on what you want to do, get something with the E-i5 or E-i3 case closer to the price of box #2. Box #2 has the E-350 which has it's pluses/minuses depending on what you want to do with your HTPC.

[OpenRoadSong]

Here is my scenario, I have my desktop computer on the third floor of my apartment attached to it are 3-4 hard drives worth of about 2 TB's or so of Movies, TV shows, and music that gets added to weekly.There is a cement floor between the 3rd and second floor, and a second wireless hub on the first floor (not separated by a cement floor). I get wireless internet on my ipad and iphone when in my room, and have little issue watching netflix on those.

My primary use for my HTPC would be visually organizing and streaming video files (from Smaller SD files to Bluray rips) to play on the 55in 1080p lcd tv in my room.

I would also ideally like to be able to:
- play DVD's
- watch Hi-res Netflix movies
- stream a large 600 Gig Music Library
- look at Still Images
- play spotify

I won't be doing any gaming on the machine and I can take or leave the ability to browse the Internet.

Hope this helps you understand my needs a little better. I would like to come in around the $400-500 mark (including that CEC adapter listed above). I am willing to build something from scratch if someone can help my pick out the right parts for my needs. Thank you for your help!

[OpenRoadSong]

I have swapped out the Ram listed in box 1 with the E-i5 A6-3500 motherboard and updated the price... Thanks Dougie Fresh.

[Dougie Fresh]

I would also ideally like to be able to:
- play DVD's
- watch Hi-res Netflix movies
- stream a large 600 Gig Music Library
- look at Still Images
- play spotify

I have an Intel G620-based HTPC in my bedroom that is capable of all those things. This barebones: http://www.ecosmartpc.com/ei5g530.html with 4GB (plenty for non-gaming/non-transcoding HTPC) and the G630T would do all those things no problem and would be just over $300 shipped, compared to $380 that you have for the barebones + RAM in your OP. Or, you could use it as a blueprint to put one together yourself and just order the E-i5 separately. You'd need the 84W AC adapter upgrade for an Intel system. The barebones comes standard with the 84W AC adapter but for the case alone it's an upgrade.

With the E-350 in the Pulse-Box the one thing on your list that isn't going to work is Netflix HD.

[OpenRoadSong]

A couple of questions...

1 - Do you know what kind of RAM ecosmart sells? Should I go with this and save the hassle or get my own?

2 - Once I get my box, what version of XBMC should I run? I was considering OpenELEC+Pulse. Thoughts?

3 - Though most of my video files are avi or mpeg I do have some that are other things, will this be an issue of transcoding?

4 - What is the difference between the H61 motherboard and the H77 motherboard listed on the ecosmartpc site and which CPU will serve me best?

Thanks for your help so far!

[Dougie Fresh]

1 - Do you know what kind of RAM ecosmart sells? Should I go with this and save the hassle or get my own?

The speed of the RAM is matched to the maximum the processor supports w/o overclocking and it's Kingston or Kingston HyperX RAM.

2 - Once I get my box, what version of XBMC should I run? I was considering OpenELEC+Pulse. Thoughts?

If you want Netflix HD, you're going to need to run Windows. If you want to run OpenELEC that's who different thing and I would make a different barebones recommendation. My recommendation is based on running Windows. For OpenELEC, this would be a less expensive and smaller choice: S197-H80 Atom D2500/Nvidia GT610 mini-ITX barebones HTPC

3 - Though most of my video files are avi or mpeg I do have some that are other things, will this be an issue of transcoding?

If the video player supports them, there will be no need to transcode. The nice thing about an HTPC is you can usually find a codec for what you want to play though most of the time it's just supported, especially in XBMC.

4 - What is the difference between the H61 motherboard and the H77 motherboard listed on the ecosmartpc site and which CPU will serve me best?

Besides price, the H77 is the newer chipset that came out with Ivy Bridge, the latest generation of Intel CPUs. H61 was the last generation, Sandy Bridge, which is still widely available and popular, especially now at a lower price point.

Here's a comparison of the specifications of the two chipsets: http://ark.intel.com/compare/52806,64018