Suggestions for my next HTPC
#16
(2013-06-12, 15:16)eskro Wrote: tone down the SSD, too much...

for gamers, i even recommend a 64GB SSD...

Yeah I'm considering shaving the SSD down, as it's somewhat overkill. It would save $30; which isn't a lot but it's something. Just debating if that extra space would be useful down the road or not.
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#17
Stupid question, I have access to a free copy of Windows 8 Home, would that be fine to use or should I go buy Windows 8 Pro?
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#18
(2013-06-12, 20:18)Sirbloody Wrote: Stupid question, I have access to a free copy of Windows 8 Home, would that be fine to use or should I go buy Windows 8 Pro?

I'm not a Windows 8 expert, but I've been reading up on it. I personally don't see a benefit to using the Pro version for an HTPC. The benefits are mostly for businesses. Here's a comparison chart of the different versions. Also there are some removed features from all versions of Windows 8, including Windows Media Center. Here's a full list of removed features. I don't plan to use Windows Media Center, however I've heard you may need to buy it through the app store, just so you can get the codecs needed to play DVDs, encode video with the DVR stuff, etc. Not 100% sure on that though.
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#19
You have to have Windows 8 Pro to install WMC8.
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#20
(2013-06-12, 21:51)Dougie Fresh Wrote: You have to have Windows 8 Pro to install WMC8.

That sounds just like something Microsoft would do. I personally don't want WMC8, but is there another way to get the needed codecs for DVD/BluRay playback, and for encoding video for DVR stuff?
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#21
(2013-06-12, 22:15)gregsquire Wrote:
(2013-06-12, 21:51)Dougie Fresh Wrote: You have to have Windows 8 Pro to install WMC8.

That sounds just like something Microsoft would do. I personally don't want WMC8, but is there another way to get the needed codecs for DVD/BluRay playback, and for encoding video for DVR stuff?

info here

also Shark007 Codecs
Features and supported formats
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#22
Thanks. So playing DVDs can be done through third party player. After some searching I can't find anything that lists Windows 8 Pro or pieces of WMC8 being needed for XBMC's PVR functionality. I'm guessing it's using it's own codec (or third party codec) support. So looks like I'll be fine with Windows 8 basic.
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#23
@eskro do you know why the G1610 is faster than the G2020 on Passmark? The G1610 is actually clocked slower than the G2020?
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#24
Passmark numbers come from user submissions so you'll see weirdness like that. In normal usage, you're very unlikely to tell the difference between a G1610 and G2120 experience-wise, Very few HTPC tasks are CPU-bound.
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#25
Okay my HTPC build has been ordered. Sort of a Father's Day gift to myself. Wink I did reduce the SSD down to 64Gb. Here's the final specs.

MI-008 Tower Mini-ITX case 250W Power Supply $40
SilenX 120mm Quiet Case Fan $10
Intel Core i3-3225 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz $136
Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI mini-ITX motherboard $99
Kingston DDR3-1600 2x2GB $43
SanDisk 64GB SSD $60
Windows 8 OEM $90
FLIRC USB IR Receiver $23

Total $501 + $9 shipping = $510 (includes cost of Windows 8)

I also came across a refurbished Dual TV Tuner card that I'm adding in.

Hauppauge WinTV 1800 Dual Tuner Card $35

With shipping that added another $40 to the build so a Grand Total of $550.

Once it's fully assembled I'll add some photos and benchmarks here for everyone.
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#26
i hope u do Tongue congratz!
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#27
(2013-06-11, 05:14)Dougie Fresh Wrote: Shopping List (you might be able to shop around for better prices):
Intel Core i3-3225 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz $136
Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI mini-ITX motherboard $99
Dynatron T459 Low Profile CPU cooler $30
G-Skill DDR3-1600 2x2GB $38
Samsung 840 120GB SSD $99
E-i7 mini-ITX HTPC case with 84W AC adapter $150

Hi Dougie Fresh. I am close to pulling the trigger on this build. I want to get 8GB of RAM instead of 4. I looked for equivalent G-Skill on both Newegg and on their site with no luck. Any suggestions on an 8GB pair?
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#28
You don't have to worry too much above RAM clearance with that cooler and with that case so this would be a good option:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Though at that price, I might be inclined to spend $2 more on these which are a bit faster:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM

RAM prices are really going up and up.
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#29
Two questions:

1. The Dynatron T459 seems to be completely unknown in germany, I can't even find shops listing it as "unavailable". Not even one. Strange, but what can be used as a replacement when my main concern is the noise? I guess passive isn't really possible with this setup and one of the mentioned cases so I thought about going with a cooler as large as possible to reduce the fanspeed. The Scythe SCBSK-2100 (heigth 58mm, 130W TDP) seems to be a bit large but it should fit the case, shouldn't it? What do you think? A smaller one like the Scythe Kozuti (40mm height, 65W TDP)?

2. The MI-008 is also unavailable, as is the MI-100. The E-17 can be acquired but I hope to find a suitable case with a price tag like the MI-008, is there anything fanless? I'm not sure if the mentioned M350 suits this setup.

Thank you for your help! Smile
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#30
The MI-008 is available in Germany just under a different name. I found it once so I'll try again. A popular modification of the MI-008 is to remove the stock power supply and replace it with a fanless picoPSU power supply. With the power supply removed, I would *think* the Scythe Shuriken would fit. The issue then is your PCI-e slot is blocked. In MI-008 builds I've done with the PSU removed, I've found the stock cooler is just fine noise-wise.

Edit: here it is: http://www.amazon.de/Spire-Geh%C3%A4use-...B002MRB2GK
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