Need help building a media center

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vlahka

Junior Member
Jan 22, 2011
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I'm not sure if this is where to put this, but I'm pretty much tired of buying those small media players where each one seems to have an issue with this or that codec etc. Its beyond frustrating. So I thought I'd build myself one, complete with remote etc. I've been looking at the smaller sized cases made by asus and others and thinking what sort of hardware would be good to put in it since I'd like something powerful enough to handle HD stuff and even slap a bluray player in it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
Like the size, an HTPC Can be in M-ATX, ATX or ITX Motherboard sizes. ATX is the most versatile BUT it is the largest. An ATX HTPC is probably easier to build, with the appropriate size case you dont have to worry about Graphics cards being too big and other factors.
 
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vlahka

Junior Member
Jan 22, 2011
7
0
61
I was hoping for something small to mid size. Like for example a mid tower is way too huge. Maybe something along the lines of a shuttle, or possibly PS3 size at most. Was hoping to have something that didnt stand out too much but looked decent. A large sized pc would just not look right.
 
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vlahka

Junior Member
Jan 22, 2011
7
0
61
hmm... To get any decent parts for the stuff I'm going for, I'd think possibly $500 would be a really good baseline or cheaper. cpus are pretty cheap now days, wont need anything powerful int he graphical department especially with the new hybrid gpu cpus etc. Motherboards and cases are where I'm totally at a loss. hdds are cheap etc. I'm just wanting to make something thats not too big, fairly quiet, and strong enough to handle the codecs and videos I try to play through it. Sometimes you have to think of performance first and price second. You make something, make it right. Its how I think.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
vlahka said:
hmm... To get any decent parts for the stuff I'm going for, I'd think possibly $500 would be a really good baseline or cheaper. cpus are pretty cheap now days, wont need anything powerful int he graphical department especially with the new hybrid gpu cpus etc. Motherboards and cases are where I'm totally at a loss. hdds are cheap etc. I'm just wanting to make something thats not too big, fairly quiet, and strong enough to handle the codecs and videos I try to play through it. Sometimes you have to think of performance first and price second. You make something, make it right. Its how I think.
Click to expand...

Well if you want quality case that looks like a media center then look at the SilverStone CW02 or the SilverStone GD04 These cases are expensive, BUT they look good, and are well built.

Pair either of those with this mATX motherboard. And you might wait for the new SB i3-2100 to release on feb. 20th and get that with this (low power and heat) It will do very good 1080p video playback and decent all around computing as well.


EDIT:
From what I have put together you can get a decent HTPC for about $628

Case : SilverStone GD04 ($100)
http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Fr...ata/B002QEBGQK

Motherboard : ASUS P8H67-M LE ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131685

PSU : Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D ($40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033

RAM : Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB 2x2GB ($38)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146748

CPU : Intel Core i3-2100 ($135) *this item is not released yet prices may vary the link is for a pre-order (I would recommend waiting for newegg to stock it however)
http://www.provantage.com/intel-bx80...0~7ITEP3CQ.htm

HDD : SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB ($65)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

Optical Drive : Lite-on Black BluRay ($50)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

OS : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

Total: $628

The integrated graphics (IGP) on the CPU will be sufficient for HD playback and basic gaming, for a more in-depth look at sandy bridge I recommend you read this.
 
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vlahka

Junior Member
Jan 22, 2011
7
0
61
Thats a pretty stylish looking unit. Bulky though. I think the GD02MT looks like a better option. Being in black is also a good thing. The ML02 looks very good, very slim. But not sure what I could get out of that because of its small size. Sorry, dont know how to make links with the names.

Makes me wonder what else is out there I never saw. Excellent suggestions though, thanks heaps.
 
V

vlahka

Junior Member
Jan 22, 2011
7
0
61
Thats awesome man, thanks heaps for updating your post with all those links. I've got a better idea of what to go for now. I wouldnt play games on it but I think as far as emulators are concerned it would go pretty awesome with some wireless joypads etc.
 
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