I'm looking to build an HTPC and I'm looking for suggestions.
I'm staying away from using two separate systems: NAS + Small HTPC; I'd rather
use a single system.
So, what's the smallest case I can get that holds 4 full-sized drives? (I'll probably
go with 3TB Reds). Also, I wouldn't mind suggests for the rest of the hardware
considering I'll be running full 1080p videos. I've never used one of the newish
CPUs with built-in graphics... so my knowledge is lacking in that department.
U'll be needing for example 1 of the larger Silverstone cases for example, Silverstone Grandia GD08 Home Theatre Server Case - Black (SST-GD08B USB 3.0) plenty of drive space and cooling to keep everything cool
the guts of the system
a new haswell i3 with a after market cooler (scythe)
maybe a ASrock mobo + 4/8 gig ram depending on o/s u using etc
and a 60gig SSD
that's just some examples that's u could use anther interesting idea would be:-
HP N54 micro server + a low profile passive cooled gfx card to do the 1080p
although with that option u wont get sata 3 and I think but not 100pct sure on it but think it only supports up to 8 gig internal storage , unless they fixed that issue with a new bios
The HP ProLiant MicroServers are great for a NAS but not so much an HTPC, since even the newest ones do not have HDMI. Adding a graphics card to one puts the price above what a DIY setup would get you.
I'd look at the Fractal Design Node 304 case
ASUS H87I-PLUS mini-ITX motherboard
Haswell Pentium (if you only need 2D support) or Haswell i3 (if you need 3D support)
If you're going to be running Windows, consider a 60-120GB SSD for the O/S.
4GB DDR3-1600 RAM
(2013-09-02, 19:25)Dougie Fresh Wrote: [ -> ]The HP ProLiant MicroServers are great for a NAS but not so much an HTPC, since even the newest ones do not have HDMI. Adding a graphics card to one puts the price above what a DIY setup would get you.
I'd look at the Fractal Design Node 304 case
ASUS H87I-PLUS mini-ITX motherboard
Haswell Pentium (if you only need 2D support) or Haswell i3 (if you need 3D support)
If you're going to be running Windows, consider a 60-120GB SSD for the O/S.
4GB DDR3-1600 RAM
I love that case even more since they made a white version of it
I went with the Lian Li; love their cases.
Now I just need to decide on the system itself. I can't make up my mind if
I want to go the all-in-one route with an embedded system, or what.
(2013-09-02, 19:25)Dougie Fresh Wrote: [ -> ]The HP ProLiant MicroServers are great for a NAS but not so much an HTPC, since even the newest ones do not have HDMI. Adding a graphics card to one puts the price above what a DIY setup would get you.
That's certainly not the case in the uk, with HP's cashback deals (on again at the moment).
yes 100 quid for the microserver and a 6450 for 30 quid(low profile bracket) cant go wrong , prolly need the hacked bios to run over 8gig space (or was needed before)