[rentay]

Hey,

Just registered and am wanting to have some input from members on my new build!

I have done a lot of research and have come up with the following build.

I will be running Openelec and have read that AMD does not have the Linux drivers for True HD and DTS-HD, is this correct?

Based on this, I have specced the following:

***Intel Build***

CPU: Intel Core i3 3225 $155.00

Mobo: ASRock B75M-ITX $92.00

Case: Silverstone GD06B $135.00

Ram: GSkill F3-12800CL9D $49.00

HDD: Samsung 840 series $115.00
120GB

Power: Silverstone ST45SF-G
450 Watt $115.00

GPU: EVGA GeForce GT640 $105.00


Total: $766.00

Is it necessary to go with dedicated GPU? I will only be using this HTPC for watching movies/tv shows. I will not be using it for gaming.

Also, prices are in $AUD!

Let me know what you think

[mashtar]

Im running openelec on a similiar build (same CPU). Its working perfectly for me and id say there is no need for that dedicated GPU as long as you're not doing any gaming.
Sounds to me like a solid HTPC!

[Christer K]

I would go for the newer Haswell i3, skip the GPU and a little lesser W on the PSU.

as for the SSD, the EVO would be my choice =)

[Camlann]

I would go for the newer Haswell i3, skip the GPU and a little lesser W on the PSU.

as for the SSD, the EVO would be my choice =)

I would do the same. No need for the extra GPU, Intel's GPU is very good, in Haswell they even fixed the 24fps Bug.
You can even replace the PSU with a Picu PSU, also I would recommend looking into the Intel NUC Thread. Great Device!

[rentay]

I would go for the newer Haswell i3, skip the GPU and a little lesser W on the PSU.

as for the SSD, the EVO would be my choice =)

Do you recommend the i3 4130?

I would need to change the mobo to Asus B85M-E?

[Camlann]

i3-4130T (http://ark.intel.com/de/products/77481/)
Socket 1150 Board, what ever Features you'd like to have

[rentay]

i3-4130T (http://ark.intel.com/de/products/77481/)
Socket 1150 Board, what ever Features you'd like to have

What are the main differences between the 4130 & 4130T?

Also, could i use the same ram in my initial build specs with the new mobo?

[Camlann]

You can compare both here: http://ark.intel.com/compare/77481,77480
Max TDP is 35W on the T-Model, and 54W on the other one.
Clock Speed is also reduced on the T-Model.

Yes, you can use the same RAM.
One quick Note to the PSU though, you should use a "Haswell" ready PSU; Haswell supports low Power States, some PSUs are not ready for that.
Look for "Haswell" C6/C7 Low-Power States"; your PSU does support Haswell!

[Christer K]

i3-4130T (http://ark.intel.com/de/products/77481/)
Socket 1150 Board, what ever Features you'd like to have

What are the main differences between the 4130 & 4130T?

Also, could i use the same ram in my initial build specs with the new mobo?

4130T has lower clockspeed and less TDP.

And yes regarding RAM

[rentay]

i3-4130T (http://ark.intel.com/de/products/77481/)
Socket 1150 Board, what ever Features you'd like to have

What are the main differences between the 4130 & 4130T?

Also, could i use the same ram in my initial build specs with the new mobo?

4130T has lower clockspeed and less TDP.

And yes regarding RAM

Fantastic! Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it!

One more quick question, what do you think of the Corsair VS350 power supply?

[Christer K]

I assume that you will buy the parts online, may I ask from where?

[rentay]

I assume that you will buy the parts online, may I ask from where?

I am from Australia and will be purchasing all parts from: www.pccasegear.com

[joelbaby]

CPU: Intel Core i3 3225 $155.00
Mobo: ASRock B75M-ITX $92.00
Case: Silverstone GD06B $135.00
Ram: GSkill F3-12800CL9D $49.00
HDD: Samsung 840 series $115.00
120GB
Power: Silverstone ST45SF-G
450 Watt $115.00
GPU: EVGA GeForce GT640 $105.00
Total: $766.00

I will only be using this HTPC for watching movies/tv shows. I will not be using it for gaming.

Don't use graphics card.
RAM - get whatever is cheap - 4Gb.
Case - Why so big?? How about a Mini-ITX motherboard.
PSU - Too big.
SSD - Too big - but 120Gb are the best value at the moment.

Take a look at the thread about the X-26 and Celeron NUC.
A Celeron 847 is all you need. There's new chips and new NUC being announced 12th September.
$766 AUD is way too high for a simple HTPC.
I am guessing that you are storing the files on an external drive that is not part of this build.

Think small and low power, from pccasegear website:
Celeron NUC - $209
60Gb mSata SSD - $135
4Gb SODIMM RAM - $42
+ $5 Power cable (retarded I know - not sure which one you need).
Total = $391

If you use an i3 NUC then the Total = $531
But I think you can get it cheaper than pccasegear and go sub $500.

[Richard39]

agree with others go for the haswell i3 + 1150 H87 mobo as for psu maybe go for seasonic 360watt and drop the gpu as its not needed.

[rentay]

By going the Haswell i3 + H87 mobo do you think this is future proofing a little better than the Intel NUC?

The Intel NUC is an amazing little bit of gear but I'm unsure whether I would encounter problems later on such as overheating, wifi and compatibility to play 4k movies.

I will still keep an eye out for the next generation NUC but I think I will go for my custom built system.

Here are the final specs:

***Intel Build***

CPU: Intel Core i3 4130 $149.00

Mobo: Asus B85M-G $95.00

Case: Silverstone GD06B $135.00

Ram: GSkill F3-12800CL9D $49.00

HDD: Samsung 840 series $115.00
120GB

Power: Corsair VS350
350 Watt $49.00



Total: $592.00