[redman20]

Hey guys. Long time reader here! With the new Haswell Nuc's dropping, I am looking at building one for my theater. Coming from a boxeebox, I just want something that is easy to use like the boxee and this is pretty much what I found, was XBMC. I don't have any complex viewing needs, just something that plays my mkv files like my boxee does, just with HD audio. On that note, I am proposing the following build for a Windows XBMC:

-Intel Nuc i3 http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Intel-N...65205.aspx $292
-Mushkin 60gb msata drive http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6820226319 $90 (with shipping)
-Kingston 4gb ram (2x2GB) http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=80521&...e=Kingston ($60)

Total $442

I already have a Win 7 install to use so that cuts costs. The other item I am wondering about is a remote. I already have a PS3 BT remote, and was reading the threads on the software to make the remote go to sleep. It is a first gen PS3 remote though, so I don't know if it has IR and BT or just BT.

Any suggestions or things I am missing? With windows I went with a bigger HDD as I don't want to be caught down the road. The price diff between the 32gb drive and 60gb is 15 bucks.

[cwide]

Sounds like you don't need windows. If you are trying to cut costs and only playing 2D media... then you can easily get away with a much small msata drive and the Celeron NUC. Also don't need 4 GB ram. 2 is fine. Openelec supposedly has PS3 BT remote hibernation working.

If you are not overly concerned about budget then your build will be fine.

[Ned Scott]

looks bitchin'

[redman20]

Thanks guys. I am not too worried about cost to a point. My main concerns are noise and remote control (WAF). Has the haswell celeron nuc dropped? I couldn't find much on it, just i3, i5.

Any way of telling if the ps3 remote is both bt and ir?

I found this adapter to add to the build to put bluetooth in natively. I guess it would be either get a new remote and use the built in IR, or get a bluetooth card and use my ps3 remote with the software to shut off the remote..?

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_i..._id=062806

[joelbaby]

The new Celeron NUC will be released Q1 2014. Part number DN2810FYK
Has room for a 2.5" drive and infra red, and well priced. Would really like to get one of these.

There's a whole thread about bluetooth remotes and PS3: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=177186
Also some good remote PS3 discussion here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid...pid1533037
There is no right answer as to the best remote.

[mushoss]

Hey guys. Long time reader here! With the new Haswell Nuc's dropping, I am looking at building one for my theater. Coming from a boxeebox, I just want something that is easy to use like the boxee and this is pretty much what I found, was XBMC. I don't have any complex viewing needs, just something that plays my mkv files like my boxee does, just with HD audio. On that note, I am proposing the following build for a Windows XBMC:

-Intel Nuc i3 http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Intel-N...65205.aspx $292
-Mushkin 60gb msata drive http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6820226319 $90 (with shipping)
-Kingston 4gb ram (2x2GB) http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=80521&...e=Kingston ($60)

Total $442

I already have a Win 7 install to use so that cuts costs. The other item I am wondering about is a remote. I already have a PS3 BT remote, and was reading the threads on the software to make the remote go to sleep. It is a first gen PS3 remote though, so I don't know if it has IR and BT or just BT.

Any suggestions or things I am missing? With windows I went with a bigger HDD as I don't want to be caught down the road. The price diff between the 32gb drive and 60gb is 15 bucks.

Check out this sata 64 gb drive, good reviews, cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/MyDigitalSSD-Super...digitalssd

[Dougie Fresh]

With Windows, I'd stick with the i3. The Celeron is nice for OpenELEC but I found it a little slow doing day-to-day Windows stuff (launching apps, etc.) In all it played videos smooth as butter.

[mrhyde1969]

Word of warning there are quite a few ongoing problems wirh the new Haswell chips and windows. I too built a new system on the haswel chip but had to install a dedicated gpu to get things working

---

https://intel-communities.jive-mobile.co...ns%2F38686

Check out this post on the intel forums for more information

[joelbaby]

Why not just install OpenElec on a USB stick, and boot from USB as a workaround?

[mrhyde1969]

Why not just install OpenElec on a USB stick, and boot from USB as a workaround?

Because I need a windows environment for certain things

[redman20]

You guys have me thinking now. All these parts are going to cost a bit more than I thought once I add shipping and taxes. I have found some Zotac boxes up here that include a remote, hdd, etc. All I need to do is put an OS on it.

Any experiences with them? I am thinking this would sort most of my issues with the remote right off the hop.

Time to go reading again!

[Ned Scott]

Depends on the Zotac unit, but generally speaking, I have been happy with my past Zotac purchases and they make for some great HTPCs.

[redman20]

I have found that some of the parts are not available from my sources up here, so it is looking like this build won't happen. I am looking at the Zotac ID83 now.

[gibxxi]

Currently, Intel's Windows HD4000 (and up) drivers do not work correctly with XBMC. Graphics corruption and artifacts in the UI and with logos. Luckily, the laptop I run XBMC on has NVIDIA GT-650M graphics in addition to the on-chip Intel HD4000 controller, so can launch XBMC via the discrete graphics instead of the embedded Intel graphics. Intel are aware of the issue, and have released at least one new version of their drivers since it was reported. Alas, it's still not resolved.

https://communities.intel.com/thread/386...0&tstart=0

[mrhyde1969]

Currently, Intel's Windows HD4000 (and up) drivers do not work correctly with XBMC. Graphics corruption and artifacts in the UI and with logos. Luckily, the laptop I run XBMC on has NVIDIA GT-650M graphics in addition to the on-chip Intel HD4000 controller, so can launch XBMC via the discrete graphics instead of the embedded Intel graphics. Intel are aware of the issue, and have released at least one new version of their drivers since it was reported. Alas, it's still not resolved.

https://communities.intel.com/thread/386...0&tstart=0

I believe this is what I have previously mentioned