1st HTPC build
#1
Question 
I have been monitoring threads for a few weeks and I am getting close to a configuration. It will be used to play mixed videos 720 and 1080 stored files from a NAS and for a DVR when I add a cablecard tuner this fall. I hope to run a version of LINUX and XBMC and then mythtv. Replacing FIOS DVR box and WDTV streaming device now.

A6-3500

ASROCK either A75M-ITX or MB-A75M

Silverstone MLB-03 case

TBD Power Supply

TBD 4 gig 1866MHz DDR3

Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB 2.5 Inch Solid State Hybrid Drive ST95005620AS

IR TBD

Wireless TBD

Hauppauge WinTV DCR-2650 Dual Tuner Cable Card TV Tune - added this fall (all I need is 2 tuners)

I am trying to do this for around $425 now (minus the tunner and no O/S Cost) - hopefully I will not need to buy Windows with this hardware.Huh

Any feedback or suggestions on TBDs? Am I missing anything else? I usually prefer AMAZON or NEWEGG.

Thanks

Ira Nod
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#2
I also used the A6-3500 and the same case

I've had nothing but an excellent experience with the following:
[Power Supply]
SilverStone Strider 400W, 80 PLUS, Active PFC Power Supply ST40F-ES (Black) $48.99
[CPU]
AMD A6-3500 APU with AMD Radeon 6530 HD Graphics 2.1/2.4GHz Socket FM1 65W Triple-Core Processor - Retail AD3500OJGXBOX $74.99
[CPU Cooler]
Scythe BIG SHURIKEN 2 Rev B. 5-Heatpipe Universal Low Profile CPU Cooler (SCBSK-2100) $47.95
[MOBO]
ASRock MB-A75M Socket FM1/ AMD A75 FCH/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ Micro ATX Motherboard $74.99
[RAM]
Kingston HyperX Genesis 4 GB Kit (2x2 GB Modules) 1866MHz DDR3 PC3-15000 240-Pin Non-ECC CL9 1.65V DIMM XMP Desktop Memory KHX1866C9D3K2/4GX $35.74

Here's my build with pictures. Should give you a good idea of what you'll experience.

Good luck on your build!
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#3
I like this for small cases that take ATX power supplies:

Image

http://www.amazon.com/FSP-Certified-300-...004VF4R4U/

It comes with an adapter bracket to fit it into the ATX PSU opening. It's much smaller than an ATX PSU so it leaves more room in the case, especially between the PSU and the ODD which can be an issue in the ML03.

Without Windows Media Center you won't be able to get all the channels with a CableCard you do now with your STB. It's the only CableLabs certified software.


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#4
(2012-06-01, 20:50)Ira59 Wrote: It will be used to play mixed videos 720 and 1080 stored files from a NAS and for a DVR when I add a cablecard tuner this fall. I hope to run a version of LINUX and XBMC and then mythtv

Cablecard (DVB-C) sounds like lots of 1080i to me. Have you checked how well the A6-3500 (or any other Llano) handles interlaced material using linux?
You need quite a capable GPU to handle 1080i decently. Not for nothing there are quite some comments to be found like: "why the f*ck does my standalone tuner give so much better picture quality".

Please doublecheck if you stay intended to use linux.

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#5
I've found the HD5450 to handle 1080i live TV just fine. I would expect the A6-3500 with the HD6530 to be similar.
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#6
(2012-06-02, 00:00)Dougie Fresh Wrote: I've found the HD5450 to handle 1080i live TV just fine. I would expect the A6-3500 with the HD6530 to be similar.

Linux or windows?
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#7
(2012-06-02, 00:01)-EaS- Wrote:
(2012-06-02, 00:00)Dougie Fresh Wrote: I've found the HD5450 to handle 1080i live TV just fine. I would expect the A6-3500 with the HD6530 to be similar.

Linux or windows?

Windows (I have a CableCard tuner).
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#8
any major difference between motherboards other then expansion slots and a few $?

ASROCK either A75M-ITX or MB-A75M

Thanks for inputs so far - hop eto order soon
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#9
(2012-06-03, 13:50)Ira59 Wrote: any major difference between motherboards other then expansion slots and a few $?

ASROCK either A75M-ITX or MB-A75M

Thanks for inputs so far - hop eto order soon
Since your case support Micro-ATX mobo, would as well go for- ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS.......it's cheaper and it give you more room......

>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#10
(2012-06-01, 21:17)Dougie Fresh Wrote: I like this for small cases that take ATX power supplies:

Image

http://www.amazon.com/FSP-Certified-300-...004VF4R4U/

How does this compare to the Antec EA-380GREEN 380W EarthWatts?
Guide to building an all in one Ubuntu Server - TV(vdr),File,Music,Web

Server Fractal Designs Define XL, Asus P5QL/EPU, Dual Core E5200, 4gb, L4M-Twin S2 v6.2, Supermicro AOC-USAS-L8I, 1*SSD & 13*HDD drives (24TB total) - Ubuntu Server
XBMC 1 ASRock Z77E-ITX, G850, 8GB RAM, SSD, BD - Ubuntu / OpenElec frodo
XBMC 2 Revo 3700 - OpenElec frodo
XBMC 3 Raspb Pi
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#11
(2012-06-03, 19:33)charlie0440 Wrote:
(2012-06-01, 21:17)Dougie Fresh Wrote: I like this for small cases that take ATX power supplies:

Image

http://www.amazon.com/FSP-Certified-300-...004VF4R4U/

How does this compare to the Antec EA-380GREEN 380W EarthWatts?

The big difference is the FSP is much smaller. The FSP power leads are also not as long as the EA380D and there are fewer connectors. These two things are a big plus for the FSP in the ML03 case. The rest of the differences are a wash. The EA380D is 80+ bronze while the FSP is 80+. At 20% load (typical usage will probably be less) that's only a difference of 2% efficiency. Price-wise they are about the same -- within a few dollars. FSP makes very good power supplies. Delta makes the EA380D for Antec and it's also very good. Beyond that, the FSP is gray, the EA380D is green, the FSP comes with a power cord, the EA380D does not.


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#12
Thanks for that, so assuming I'm using the A75-ITX motherboard and a IHOS104 BD ROM which is 185mm would you recommend the FSP over the earthwatts ie will the cables reach and the drive fit? How does it compare noise wise?

Edit: I'm in the UK and in 5mins haven't found the exact model above only the FSP FSP300-60GHS do you know the difference between this are the FSP300-60GHS-R
Guide to building an all in one Ubuntu Server - TV(vdr),File,Music,Web

Server Fractal Designs Define XL, Asus P5QL/EPU, Dual Core E5200, 4gb, L4M-Twin S2 v6.2, Supermicro AOC-USAS-L8I, 1*SSD & 13*HDD drives (24TB total) - Ubuntu Server
XBMC 1 ASRock Z77E-ITX, G850, 8GB RAM, SSD, BD - Ubuntu / OpenElec frodo
XBMC 2 Revo 3700 - OpenElec frodo
XBMC 3 Raspb Pi
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#13
(2012-06-03, 20:10)charlie0440 Wrote: Thanks for that, so assuming I'm using the A75-ITX motherboard and a IHOS104 BD ROM which is 185mm would you recommend the FSP over the earthwatts ie will the cables reach and the drive fit? How does it compare noise wise?

Edit: I'm in the UK and in 5mins haven't found the exact model above only the FSP FSP300-60GHS do you know the difference between this are the FSP300-60GHS-R

With the A75M-ITX, the 24-pin power connector is on the opposite end of the motherboard from where the PSU is, so the power cable could be too short. The depth of the FSP is where it shines (100mm vs. EA-380D 140mm), allowing a longer BD-ROM without problem.

The MB-A75M microATX motherboard might be a better choice since the ML03 is microATX and the power connector is in the front.

The difference between the FSP300-60GHS and FSP300-60GHS-R, is the "-R" means "retail" and it comes with the mounting bracket. The non "-R" version does not.

As for depth, the ML03 is 340mm deep. Subtract ~5mm for the aluminum thickness. Then subtract 185mm for your BD-ROM. That leaves 150mm. You need some room for the power and SATA cable at the back of your drive. The EA-380D is 140mm deep. Is 10mm enough to fit a power cable and SATA cable? I am not sure.
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#14
Order Placed Big Grin- cannot wait to get and build - Thanks all for inputs

A6-3500

ASRock MB-A75M Socket FM1/ AMD A75 FCH/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ Micro ATX Motherboard

SilverStone Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case ML03B

SilverStone Strider 400W, 80 PLUS, Active PFC Power Supply ST40F-ES

Kingston Hyper X Plug n Play 4 GB (2x2GB Modules) 1866MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 Desktop Memory (KHX1866C11D3P1K2/4G)

SanDisk Extreme SSD 120GB GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s2.5-Inch Solid State Drive- SDSSDX-120G-G25

SilverStone NT07-AM2

Arctic Silver 5 Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit Sleepy

Rosewill Windows Vista Certified Media center Infrared Remote Control RRC-126

Old CD drive for now

old wireless logitech keyboard and mouse for now


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#15
Looks almost exactly like my build. You are going to love it!!
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