Need help with configuring a Low power HTPC around $400

[cluser721]

Hi Folks, I am venturing into building my own HTPC. The intended use is to watch Blu-Ray movies, 1080p/H.264 content, flash and similar streaming media, might want to play low level games someday, downloading stuff to watch. I am trying to keep the idle power consumption low and also want the machine to be responsive (boot, right-click, etc).

In building this system, Below is what I have so far
1. AMD Athlon II X2 270u.
2. SAPPHIRE 100326DDR3L Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
3. OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
4. 4 GB DDR3 RAM
5. Planning to utilize my existing laptop's blu-ray drive.
6. keyboard/remote can be ignored for this discussion

I am not planning for extra HDD as my system should connect to a NAS for media. What I want to know from you guys is
0. Do all the components look compatible?
1. Would I need more powerful CPU for the above specified purpose?
2. Would my laptop blu-ray be a problem? HDCP issues or slot size issues, or connector issues?
3. I would prefer the system to be as small as possible (somewhere like 16 X 16 X 5) and don't prefer the cube form-factor. With that in mind, I would need recommendations for
a. A nice looking case (1 or 2 dark color) that I can keep in my living room and can accommodate my GPU
b. A AM3 mobo that would fit into the case and have 1. Gigabit ethernet & optionally bluetooth. 2. SATA III for my SSD 3. Highest (of-course with the above budget in mind) speed connectivity to the DDR3 RAM

I did some search on mATX mobos but I could not find a low price AM3/SATA3/mATX combination. Also I am not 100% sure if my GPU would fit comfortably in a mATX mobo/small form-factor case. Makes me feel like to I might have to go with ATX/mid-tower combination to keep my prices low


Thanks in advance

 

[mfenn]

I'd go Llano if I were you. It gives you low power consumption due to the 32nm process technology and a built-in GPU that is almost at the level of a 6670. It also obviates the need for a case that can handle a GPU, leaving you with the option to go with a very small mini-ITX case.

A6-3500 $90
ASRock A75M-ITX $90
Crucial DDR3 1333 4GB $17
Agility 3 60GB $80 AR
HEC ITX200B $50 (or the A model if you want it to lie down)
Total: $327 AR

The case + PSU aren't the greatest in the world, but they are small (10x12x3) and will accommodate a slim 5.25" drive. The stock Llano cooler should have enough clearance (44mm cooler height vs. 70mm case width)

 

[cluser721]

I would like to stick to a separate CPU/GPU so that it is more easy for me to upgrade them when i need to go to gaming. Also I haven't heard good things about llano when it comes to changing refresh rates for H.264 videos and aliasing for better displays. A lower profile GPU ends up setting me back around $20-30, which I would avoid and go ATX route.

 

[mfenn]

A lower profile GPU ends up setting me back around $20-30, which I would avoid and go ATX route.

Huh? You're going to have to explain that one to me in more detail. You said you wanted it 16x16x5, which ain't happening with an ATX case. You're also unlikely to find a larger case that will accept your slim optical drive without an adapter anyway. If you want to have the option of adding a discrete GPU, get this Rosewill mini-ITX case for the same $50 and add a bay converter.

Then, try the Llano onboard graphics. If it doesn't work out, then spend $25 on a GT 520 (good enough for ridiculous quality madVR and LAV CUVID at over 100FPS).

 

[cluser721]

You're going to have to explain that one to me in more detail. You said you wanted it 16x16x5, which ain't happening with an ATX case. You're also unlikely to find a larger case that will accept your slim optical drive without an adapter anyway.

16X16X5 is what I would like to have, but if a discrete GPU does not fit in the case, I would have to go for a bigger case. And I might have to "fit" my drive a little awkwardly into it.

One of the challenges has been searching for a case using dimension. Have to click up every item that fits the basic needs and read the details on newegg. Any other website recommendations there?

 

[sm625]

consider an A6-3400 or a intel B950 notebook. With blu-ray it should cost under $500, and no doubt if you keep searching slickdeals you will find one for $400. It costs about the same as an HTPC and you can unplug it and take it on the road.

 

[mfenn]

16X16X5 is what I would like to have, but if a discrete GPU does not fit in the case, I would have to go for a bigger case. And I might have to "fit" my drive a little awkwardly into it.

One of the challenges has been searching for a case using dimension. Have to click up every item that fits the basic needs and read the details on newegg. Any other website recommendations there?

Not sure of any web sites that let you search by dimensions. It would be nice to say, "show me all the cases smaller than X Y Z." At any rate, the Rosewill (and it's Apex cousin) that I linked can take a reasonable HTPC card. If you want something capable of a gaming-grade GPU, you're going to have to either just get an MicroATX case or spend a bit more on something like the Lian-Li PC-Q08B.