2013-12-11, 22:51
(2013-12-02, 18:12)stv1036 Wrote: Can someone help me and grade a build I was thinking about doing? I haven't built in a few years so I'm a little out of the loop on the latest hardware so just wanted to hear your thoughts. DO NOT need any gaming, planning on running Win 7 for HTPC. All media stored on external hard drive hooked up to router so don't need much internal storage. Biggest area of need is as quiet as possible. My current HTPC is years old and at the time I packed too much into it so it's a good machine just overkill for what I wanted it to do which is just stream movies/tv shows from various sources which include HDD attached to network, netflix, and from browser. On somewhat of a budget but willing to spend more if will significantly upgrade machine.
CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 Haswell http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116945
MOBO: ASRock B85M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157390
Ram: Crucial 8GB DDR3 1333 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820148465
Case: XION XON-720P mATX/ ITX Slim Desktop Case 300W PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811208056 OR In-Win 200-Watt Mini-ITX Case http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ITOAL8/ref=...4WQFXWYDN6
HDD: Adata 32 gb SSD http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009SKB5HA/ref=...UMGKR8X4G8
My biggest questions/concerns are what is the up/downside of going with a Haswell CPU vs. Ivy Bridge CPU? and is there any difference between those two cases?
Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated. THANKS!
I think you would go with the haswell, since its newer, and probably cooler and uses less power. Not sure why you would get an ivy bridge these days on purpose, other than to save money or because of a MB selection, etc?
Can't see why those components wouldn't work together, but i have no experience with any of them, but it looks like you chose well.
I think the cases are just cases, its probably just your preference at this point.
(2013-12-02, 23:42)Fed03 Wrote: Hi all,
I'm about to build my first xbmc htpc. I've read alot but I need some personalized advices.
I think that I must create a build around the case or the form factor.
Micro-atx or mini-itx? I know that the difference is only in the number of slot other than the size.
So the smaller the better but only if I find a nice looking case without heat problems.
So what case do you suggest me?
According tho this I'll choose the motherboard for the following components
I'm pretty sure about the setup it will go inside
CPU: amd A6-6400k
Ram: 2x2gb
SSD: 64 or 128gb
Blu-ray drive
I'll use win 7 and I badly need a remote to use xbmc so if u can suggest me this too...XD
Ty in advance|
I would go with mini-itx, it will still fit in an micro atx case if you don't find a mini itx one you like. MIGHT be a bit tricky to fit a bluray drive in a mitx case though, it would surely have to be the laptop style one (not a 5.25" one)
I'm sure there are cases that will keep your setup cool, but they might do that via a bunch of fans you don't want to hear whirring away.
Could also consider Win8/8.1, it seems to be working well assuming drivers with XBMC (nothing wrong with 7, just suggesting).
For a remote, just get any MCE remote/ir receiver, and you are good, or get a flirc and use any remote you want.
(2013-12-05, 00:09)lionking15 Wrote: Hi
Please can someone tell me, if i was looking to play 3D movies, will a haswell, or ivy bridge i3 work perfect, or would i still need to install a graphics card, and with one of those processors will Hd movies play perfectly smooth without purchasing an extra graphics card ?
Thanks
I think once you have at least an i3 or better, it and the integrated HD video should be enough for 3D movies. That is always the suggestion when people ask which intel NUC to get, the ivy Celeron was fine, unless you want 3D, then you should upgrade to the i3. Haswell has an even more up to date version of intel HD graphics, so it should do even better.
