Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying and Building Guide

[assassin24]

I post as "assassin" over at AVS and wanted to both share what I have started over there and also get more involved again at Anandtech in regards to discussing HTPCs (Home Theater PCs).

Please take a chance to look at the the resources I have in my signature for more information.

I look forward to helping the community out with their questons regarding HTPCs. Please ask my any question that you have about any upcoming builds or other issues.

I am happy to help however I can and hope to contribute to Anandtech's HTPC users.

(I will also post this same message over in the computer help section).

 

[weez82]

i skimmed through your buyers guide and must say, thanks for putting in the time to write that out. Lots of info and it looks like you cover just about everything. nice work

 

[soulcougher73]

Good stuff Assassin. Ive been following your thread at AVS for some time now.

 

[Aharami]

awesome! I've been considering building a HTPC for my HT in my basement, and I started going thru your guide in AVS. Very nice writeup!

 

[essential]

Assassin, I was reading through your guide, very informative. I was thinking about building a i3 based HTPC/DVR with a Ceton InfiniTV.

In your recommended i3 system, you listed the Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1GHz) and say it is more than powerful enough to run the system. Newegg also lists a Intel Core i3-2100T (2.5GHz) which has the slower clock speed, but also sucks less juice (65w vs. 35w).

My main question, is the T version still more than powerful enough in your opinion to run the machine. Also, does the Ceton InfiniTV up my part requirements at all? Are these CPUs still enough? I'm not sure if live tv / dvr functions are CPU intensive?

 

[assassin24]

Assassin, I was reading through your guide, very informative. I was thinking about building a i3 based HTPC/DVR with a Ceton InfiniTV.

In your recommended i3 system, you listed the Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1GHz) and say it is more than powerful enough to run the system. Newegg also lists a Intel Core i3-2100T (2.5GHz) which has the slower clock speed, but also sucks less juice (65w vs. 35w).

My main question, is the T version still more than powerful enough in your opinion to run the machine. Also, does the Ceton InfiniTV up my part requirements at all? Are these CPUs still enough? I'm not sure if live tv / dvr functions are CPU intensive?

Thanks for the comments and questions essential.

Yes, both the i3-2100 and i3-2100t are more than enough for HTPC. I am getting ready to roll out a line of custom HTPC builds where I use the i3-2100t exclusively.

Not many people realize that the 2100t actually has lower idle power usage (9 watts) than even the zacate. Some regard it as the perfect HTPC CPU at this time.

But to answer both are awesome and both will work very well.

The Ceton card really won't affect the CPU requirements.

Ask me any other questions. I am here to help.

 

[Aharami]

assassin, what type of system would you recommend for the best bang for the buck system that can serve as a HTPC (stream 1080p mkv, act as a cable box/dvr) as well as act as a gaming PC. The only games I'll play on my projector will be racing sims, so it will be more of a HTPC than a gaming pc

 

[assassin24]

assassin, what type of system would you recommend for the best bang for the buck system that can serve as a HTPC (stream 1080p mkv, act as a cable box/dvr) as well as act as a gaming PC. The only games I'll play on my projector will be racing sims, so it will be more of a HTPC than a gaming pc

I think the issue you will have there is with your cable box.

Are you wanting to keep your existing cable and use the HTPC as a DVR? To do that you need to use a cable card and there are VERY limited options.

Let me know what you are trying to do and I can help further with the build as you have a lot of options...

 

[Aharami]

i havent really done much research into cable cards, but I hear of people recording shows into their HTPCs all the time. So I assumed it is pretty simple to implement. But if it is going to be a pain, I can get a separate comcast box. My main reason was to avoid paying extra $15 a month for another cable box, as well as being able to keep my recorded shows DRM free and be able to retain them forever.

 

[assassin24]

i havent really done much research into cable cards, but I hear of people recording shows into their HTPCs all the time. So I assumed it is pretty simple to implement. But if it is going to be a pain, I can get a separate comcast box. My main reason was to avoid paying extra $15 a month for another cable box, as well as being able to keep my recorded shows DRM free and be able to retain them forever.

Many people use an over-the-air antenna and a tuner card. This works well.

Cable cards can be hit or miss but some people use those as well.

There are a lot of people that use OTA tuner card +/- netflix +/- amazon prime +/- torrents and can get almost anything. That's probably less than $15 a month.

The exception is live sports on ESPN, ESPN2, etc where there is no real online option yet.

So for your build I would take a look at my "sweet spot" area. If the ITX is too small for you --- which it might be since you want to record live video and it only has 1 expansion slot --- then look at the Sandy Bridge i3 micro-ATX build recommendations.

 

[essential]

i havent really done much research into cable cards, but I hear of people recording shows into their HTPCs all the time. So I assumed it is pretty simple to implement. But if it is going to be a pain, I can get a separate comcast box. My main reason was to avoid paying extra $15 a month for another cable box, as well as being able to keep my recorded shows DRM free and be able to retain them forever.

The Ceton card I referenced above would work for you as well. However, in terms of DRM free, it depends on your cable company. I have TWC, and I don't think our shows come "free play" so you'd have to figure out what Comcast does.

 

[essential]

assassin, any quick case recommendations? I want something with decent airflow, but is also portable enough to take to a friends to watch some movies if necessary. it can't be too small because that Ceton card is pretty big.

i was considering this, but i'm sure you are more experienced:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133187

 

[assassin24]

Something like this is more my style for HTPC use (since it will be seen in the living room potentially).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112222

 

[essential]

assassin, two quick questions.

1) i was reading your guide, and you chose to use Mediabrowser over XBMC, maybe i missed it in the guide somewhere, but any reason why this is better, or is it just personal preference?

2) when do you think your custom htpc site will be up and running?

 

[assassin24]

assassin, two quick questions.

1) i was reading your guide, and you chose to use Mediabrowser over XBMC, maybe i missed it in the guide somewhere, but any reason why this is better, or is it just personal preference?

2) when do you think your custom htpc site will be up and running?

1. Its really a personal choice. Both are great. I tried out XBMC and it was a lot more difficult for me to use. I use Mediabrowser and MediaCenterMaster for metadata. Everything is stored locally and the response times are comparable now to XBMC. The new version of MB is much improved with an MB service running in the background.

But both are excellent choices and acceptable. I am not sure if XBMC has bitstreaming working just yet whereas MB does.

2. The company is up and running and taking orders. Our website is being created by our developer who is waiting on a few more things from us as well. Right now we are rolling out a line of mini-ITX builds in 3 options --- 1. DVD Burner, 2. Bluray Drive, 3. Bluray Drive +SSD. All HTPCs will be pre-configured and setup to play all media using Mediabrowser and MCM (we are paying for the licensing fee for all programs). All will have a legit copy of Windows 7. All builds will have quality parts and no corners will be cut. All builds come with 4GB RAM, i3 Sandy Bridge CPU, 2TB Hard Drive, Case, and PSU. Wireless options, keyboard/remotes and tuner devices are available as well.

Custom builds are available as well.

PM me if you have additional questions.

 

[Fugly McNuggly]

Assassin, god stuff man. I have seen the thread on avsforum and it's quite incredible.

I have a Ceton card (has well as a happaugue 2250) and love it, but want to move them out of my main PC as i'm always installing new apps and tinkering with things and the Ceton card is my main source of TV for the whole house (3 x Xbox 360's and a DMA2100 as extenders).

I'm looking to put together a responsibly priced system that can feed a local TV as well as the extenders. I really like the sound/TDP of the 2100T as well as the built in GPU. I would love to put together a micro ATX with the Ceton and Happauge based on this CPU.

Does the CPU and GPU really have enough ummf for this. Looking at an SSD for system, 2TB for DVR, 4GB mem and W7 32bit. Realistically, i'm looking to be able to record 2 or 3 HD streams and watch 1 or watch 2 or 3 HD streams (local + extenders) and record 1.

I use media browse primarily but it I was to use XBMC on the PC with the local TV should I have play back issues with a file. Would there be enough overhead to run 1 or 2 HD streams to extenders and maybe record an HD stream while using XBMC? Would there be a benefit moving to W7 64bit and upping the memory?

I know the next logcal step up for CPU is the 2400S, but the TDP and price of the 2100T is so tempting. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Brainonska511]

Wish I had seen this back in November when I built my HTPC on the cheap. But I'm very satisfied with my single-tuner, Athlon II X2 system (in sig) with this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121091 a cheap, nondescript black case

 

[assassin24]

Assassin, god stuff man. I have seen the thread on avsforum and it's quite incredible.

I have a Ceton card (has well as a happaugue 2250) and love it, but want to move them out of my main PC as i'm always installing new apps and tinkering with things and the Ceton card is my main source of TV for the whole house (3 x Xbox 360's and a DMA2100 as extenders).

I'm looking to put together a responsibly priced system that can feed a local TV as well as the extenders. I really like the sound/TDP of the 2100T as well as the built in GPU. I would love to put together a micro ATX with the Ceton and Happauge based on this CPU.

Does the CPU and GPU really have enough ummf for this. Looking at an SSD for system, 2TB for DVR, 4GB mem and W7 32bit. Realistically, i'm looking to be able to record 2 or 3 HD streams and watch 1 or watch 2 or 3 HD streams (local + extenders) and record 1.

I use media browse primarily but it I was to use XBMC on the PC with the local TV should I have play back issues with a file. Would there be enough overhead to run 1 or 2 HD streams to extenders and maybe record an HD stream while using XBMC? Would there be a benefit moving to W7 64bit and upping the memory?

I know the next logcal step up for CPU is the 2400S, but the TDP and price of the 2100T is so tempting. Any input is appreciated.

Absolutely. The 2100t and 2100 will both have plenty of oomph for this. So will green drives running your OS and storage.

For the extenders I would leave room for RAM expansion and start with 4GB and have the option to upgrade to 8GB if 4GB doesn't work for you. With the typical "simple" HTPC there is really little reason to use more than 4GB unless you have multiple extenders.

Obviously to do this you will want to upgrade to 64 bit Win7 to utilize more than 3.3GB of RAM.

 

[Fugly McNuggly]

awesome! thanks for the quick response! gonna order the parts tonight and put it together next weekend!

 

[assassin24]

awesome! thanks for the quick response! gonna order the parts tonight and put it together next weekend!

Great! Please report back on your build!!!

 

[Fugly McNuggly]

Build is:

APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Case with 250W PSU
ASRock H67M-ITX LGA 1155 Motherboard
Intel Core i3-2100T Sandy Bridge
Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SATA II SSD (system)
WD Green WD20EARS 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s (recorded TV)
Scythe Kama FLEX 120mm Case Fan (per your suggestion on avsforum guide).

The case is my only wild card. I hope that the Ceton card will fit ok. Also, I would like to fit a BR drive in (not a deal breaker) but with the SSD and the 2TB Green i might need to use the 5.25" bay.

How necessary is the case fan? Do you have any idea how temps get with out it?

I'm thinking maybe I can use the Green in the 3.5", and mount the SSD on the side with the case fan, towards the front, and still be able to get the case fan in. then I would have the 5.25" open for a BR drive.

I have mATX case I'm not using at the moment (it's quite a bit bigger then the APEX) so I could always move to that. And I have a copy of W7 x64 and will be using that to have the extra memory for extenders.

Parts should be here next week so i'll post back with results.

 

[assassin24]

Also, I would like to fit a BR drive in (not a deal breaker) but with the SSD and the 2TB Green i might need to use the 5.25" bay.

How necessary is the case fan? Do you have any idea how temps get with out it?

I'm thinking maybe I can use the Green in the 3.5", and mount the SSD on the side with the case fan, towards the front, and still be able to get the case fan in. then I would have the 5.25" open for a BR drive.

Parts should be here next week so i'll post back with results.

Parts look good.

I haven't tried this particular case with the 2100t yet. Early reports are temps in the 40-50c range which is perfectly acceptable for a mini-ITX build.

Don't hesitate to mount you SSD with velcro where ever you can. I have done this with excellent results on a few builds.

 

[assassin24]

Major overhaul to the look and feel of the guide over the past few days.

Should be easier to navigate and faster to load.