Time to build an HTPC

[nsafreak]

As much as I like my Western Digital TV Live it has some quirks (not able to output DTS-HD MA audio, netflix interface that looks dated, and a couple others) I've decided to just go ahead and build an HTPC like I should have in the first place. So, to fill out the sticky:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

HTPC use. So playing back ripped blu rays, netflix (if it can be done on Linux somehow), and perhaps some MAME emulation down the road. Nope, won't be recording TV on it as my pair of Dish Network DVRs do that job just fine and it'd be a major pain in the butt trying to record in HD from Dish.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

No more than $250, less is better really.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

No brand preferences for this build really. Just what is reliable and least expensive.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Already have a DVD burner, HDD, OS (Linux with XBMC planned) and a display since this will be hooked into my HDTV

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

No overclocking planned, shouldn't be needed on this build

8. What resolution will you be using?

TV is native 1280x720p. I don't think it should take too much for this build to be ready down the road for 1080p should I decide to get a new TV.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Within the next month

I've come up with a couple of different options for potential builds. I should note that I'm within a 10 minute drive of Microcenter so I'll likely be picking up the parts there unless there's a significant savings going on line. Here's potential build 1:

CPU/Motherboard: Biostar mITX board with AMD Fusion A350D APU (http://www.microcenter.com/product/...oard_with_Fusion_APU_350D_Dual-Core_Processor)http://Biostar A68I-350 - $69.99 - This board has a dual core AMD Fusion 350D
RAM: Kingston 4GB HyperX blu (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360523) - $24.99 - I figure 4GB should be plenty, if I can find it cheaper so be it
Case:ThermalTake Element Q (http://www.microcenter.com/product/321759/Element_Q_Small_Form_Factor_mini-ITX_Computer_Case)http://ThermalTake Element Q - $69.99 - Not as fancy as some other cases but it looks nice and is well built for a decent price.

Total (including tax): $177.54

Option 2:

CPU: AMD FX-4100 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376784) - $99.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Socket AM3+ mATX 760G AMD M - $29.99 ($40 off when you buy with certain FX processors)
RAM: Kingston HyperX blu 4GB DDR3-1333 PC3-10600) CL9 D - $24.99
Case: PowerSpec DM-387 mATX Slim Computer Case http://PowerSpec DM-387 - $49.99 - Not the prettiest case but it's the closest of the mATX cases that they sell that would fit in looks wise with the rest of my HT components

Total: $215.20

Option 3:

Rasberry Pi perhaps?

Microcenter has a http://www.microcenter.com/product/402492/Raspberry_Pi_Starter_Kit for $124.99 plus tax. The thing is I'd be overpaying for something that I wouldn't be using the full capabilities of for it's just that it seems easier to find it there than online. I'm well aware that the Rev B boards run all of $35 online and all I would really need would be one of those boards, a power supply and an enclosure which would total at most $60 I would imagine. So if you know of a site that has a ready supply of these parts that'd be great.

The other item I need is an IR receiver that is easy to get working with Linux and my Logitech Harmony 890 Pro remote. Although I would imagine programming the Logitech should be relatively easy. I do have an HP branded one that I tried for this purpose once a while back and never did get it working. Recommendations for this part?

Opinions are welcome and changes to potential builds are fine to. Leaning the Rasberry Pi way since it definitely seems to be the least expensive, it's just an availability issue. But perhaps there are other issues with it that I'm not aware of.

 

[nsafreak]

Any feedback? Upon further investigation the Rasberry Pi route probably isn't going to work since it's really not possible to get Netflix working under Linux. So, with the other two builds remaining I do have access to some Windows 7 MSDN licenses that I can use without further adding to the cost of the build. I was hoping to use Linux to also allow for some more customization but if that kills off Netflix then I guess I'll have to use Windows.

 

[alizee]

Netflix for linux was one thing that was keeping me on Windows for awhile, but I saw this project recently:
http://lifehacker.com/5963726/netfl...untu-in-the-form-of-an-unofficial-desktop-app

But, here's the route I would take if I had your budget:

CPU: AMD A6 5400K - $60 - the GPU would be much better than the 760G, it supports codecs and other HTPC specific features much better. It would also game faster, if that's ever a concern. In addition, the CPU is really comparable in speed to the to the FX-4100, but is cheaper.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/400672/A6_5400K_Black_Edition_36GHz_Socket_FM2_Boxed_Processor

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 - $70 - FM2 socket will be upgradable next year, if that's a concern. You could look at any FM2 board, I chose this one just because it was the cheapest at Microcenter.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/403601/GA-F2A55M-HD2_Socket_FM2_A55_mATX_AMD_Motherboard

RAM: $37 - Choose what you want, but the faster the better for the APU. DDR3-1866 is preferable, but there aren't any cheap kits at Microcenter. Here's a cheap DDR3-1600 kit:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...el_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_4GB_Memory_Modules)

Case: $40 - This is one area where I would splurge and get something really nice that will last a couple builds and would also look good in your living room. I have a case from 2005 that I'm still using that's quiet and looks awesome. However, this would put my build over your budget. I chose this Fractal Design case because I've heard good things about the company and because the case was cheap:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/383062/Core_1000_Mini_Tower_mATX_Computer_Case

$221 with tax in my area. Hopes this helps.

My advice from tweaking my systems over the years:
1 - An SSD (any of them, really) makes a big difference. Using Windows Media Center, the area where I noticed a difference was loading the tv guide. With a hard drive it seemed to take an eternity (10-30 seconds), and now it is instant (even with a 60GB OCZ Vertex 1). You don't need the fastest, nor do you need much capacity; you'll notice a difference going from HDD to SSD, but I doubt you would notice a difference going from a "slow" SSD to a super-fast one. Use your old hard drive to house your media. Waking from sleep got a huge boost, as well.

2 - I used an A350 for awhile, too. The system really did feel slow compared to my others (Athlon II X4, Core 2 Duo E6300), even with an SSD. It wasn't unbearable, but it was noticeable. I imagine it would be awful with a hard drive. Flipping through the Media Center felt slow, and the system had a hard time keeping up when content was playing.

 

[Ken g6]

I gather Netflix on Linux is possible, but only on x86. And getting it to work on non-Ubuntu might take some work. XBMCbuntu might be a good OS choice.

There is an HTPC forum, which is probably where this belongs.

I just can't recommend Bulldozer processors for anything. The AMD E-series wasn't good for Netflix, last I heard. I would start with a low-end Sandy Bridge chip, either $50 Pentium or $35 Celeron, both at Micro Center.

For a mobo, this $80 BioStar looks good. Mini-ITX (so you can get a tiny case), has HDMI out, and comes with a remote! (I hope the remote works with XBMC.) Note that $50+80 = the same price as that Bulldozer combo you mentioned.

No idea about case, but like I said a mini-ITX mobo gives you a wide variety of case choices.

No idea what case you want, but now you have choices.

 

[nsafreak]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I had thought about putting it on the HTPC forum but I wasn't sure about it. If a mod wants to move this thread that's fine. I'm glad to see that it is possible to get Netflix working under Linux, hopefully the XBMCubuntu project has incorporated it into the interface. The Intel based Biostar motherboard looks interesting and there's a pretty good chance that the IR receiver will work with Linux since it looks like it comes with a standard Windows Media Center remote which there are drivers for in Linux. I should also mention that I'm not limited to Microcenter, I'm perfectly willing to purchase from Newegg or other online vendors as well it's just more of a "get it now" satisfaction type thing with me insofar as Microcenter is concerned . I may end up getting at least the case from elsewhere since Microcenter is kindof limited on mini ITX cases & small micro ATX cases.

 

[mfenn]

I gather Netflix on Linux is possible, but only on x86. And getting it to work on non-Ubuntu might take some work. XBMCbuntu might be a good OS choice.

There is an HTPC forum, which is probably where this belongs.

I just can't recommend Bulldozer processors for anything. The AMD E-series wasn't good for Netflix, last I heard. I would start with a low-end Sandy Bridge chip, either $50 Pentium or $35 Celeron, both at Micro Center.

For a mobo, this $80 BioStar looks good. Mini-ITX (so you can get a tiny case), has HDMI out, and comes with a remote! (I hope the remote works with XBMC.) Note that $50+80 = the same price as that Bulldozer combo you mentioned.

No idea about case, but like I said a mini-ITX mobo gives you a wide variety of case choices.

No idea what case you want, but now you have choices.

Very nice part selection. Add any ol' 1.5V DDR3 like the OP has listed in the first post and you're good to go.

 

[MikeL DISH]

nsafreak,

That's awesome to hear that you're enjoying the cool features of the DVR receivers to record programs! You mentioned it being difficult, however, to record in HD. Are you experiencing issues with recording HD programs? Please let me know so I can help!