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2014-01-14, 04:00
(This post was last modified: 2014-01-14, 04:01 by AnthonyJS02.)
Looking to build my second box for the living room. It has been about year since my last build so looking to get caught up. This will mainly be used for xbmc and some light activities. Thinking I will give windows 8.1 a go on this. Haven't really setup budget but let's say under $500. Will need Ethernet and just ssd for OS and some programs/apps. All data on unraid. Main reason asking is what's a better value? Want a cool quite setup and integrated ir would be nice. Anything else missing?
Also next question may post in general but what special things do you start to get into when have two+ xbmc setups? Any more difficult when looking at same unraid shares?
HTPC Basement: i3 3225, Asrock z77 pro4m, 8gb Crucial DDR3 1600, Samsung 840 120gb SSD, Silverstone GD05B Case
HTPC Livingroom: WIP
Server: UnRaid: Intel G550, Asrock B75 pro3m, 4gb ram, Parity Drive 3tb WD Red, Data 2 x 2tb WD Red, Cache 1tb WD Blue, Fractal Design XL R2 Case
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If you must play a BluRay disc, then get mini-ITX because the case will be big enough to fit a drive. If you don't need to play a physical disc, then get a NUC.
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Don't think I'll be using a drive in this build.
HTPC Basement: i3 3225, Asrock z77 pro4m, 8gb Crucial DDR3 1600, Samsung 840 120gb SSD, Silverstone GD05B Case
HTPC Livingroom: WIP
Server: UnRaid: Intel G550, Asrock B75 pro3m, 4gb ram, Parity Drive 3tb WD Red, Data 2 x 2tb WD Red, Cache 1tb WD Blue, Fractal Design XL R2 Case
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Unless you have a fear of building your own mITX I recommend doing just that rather than the NUC box. The NUC boxes are cute but overpriced and underpowered compared to what you can build for yourself.
Maybe in a few more revisions the NUC will be more appealing and hopefully a bit cheaper.
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Thinking of going the mini itx? What cases should I be looking at? Should I look into fan less or are the smaller cases quiet enough? Will be sitting under tv and seating is about 12ft away.
HTPC Basement: i3 3225, Asrock z77 pro4m, 8gb Crucial DDR3 1600, Samsung 840 120gb SSD, Silverstone GD05B Case
HTPC Livingroom: WIP
Server: UnRaid: Intel G550, Asrock B75 pro3m, 4gb ram, Parity Drive 3tb WD Red, Data 2 x 2tb WD Red, Cache 1tb WD Blue, Fractal Design XL R2 Case
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nickr
Retired Team-Kodi Member
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Avoid nuc and use an nvidia card. Run openelec and you'll only need 2G ram rather than the 4-8G that people seem to use for windows. And your ssd can be as small as 8G.
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Ok thinking go mini itx fan less build. How are the HDPlex cases. The 3series looks nice but appears not available. So maybe the H1? Don't want optical drive. Any other fan less recomendations besides streacom those expensive.
HTPC Basement: i3 3225, Asrock z77 pro4m, 8gb Crucial DDR3 1600, Samsung 840 120gb SSD, Silverstone GD05B Case
HTPC Livingroom: WIP
Server: UnRaid: Intel G550, Asrock B75 pro3m, 4gb ram, Parity Drive 3tb WD Red, Data 2 x 2tb WD Red, Cache 1tb WD Blue, Fractal Design XL R2 Case
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(2014-01-15, 09:27)mattchapman Wrote: Unless you have a fear of building your own mITX I recommend doing just that rather than the NUC box. The NUC boxes are cute but overpriced and underpowered compared to what you can build for yourself.
Maybe in a few more revisions the NUC will be more appealing and hopefully a bit cheaper.
They might not be scrape-the-bottom-cheap, but I wouldn't call the NUCs overpriced by any means. The new Celeron NUC can be had for about $137 shipped.
