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[Vocalpoint]

Here's a pre-lim parts list for my first HTPC - set for a build over the holidays. This unit will handle all music, movies and whatever else we can throw at it - running MC v18 of course.

The plan is to have this puppy kick the Dune Smart HD (used for video only) we have downstairs - upstairs (ridding us of a useless WDTV Live that has been a pain for years). We are also in the planning stages for an entire new media room downstairs - so this HTPC will be the centerpiece of all the entertainment action. I also have the official MC Remote on the way to Calgary from the fine folks in Minneapolis

Our media is all on the NAS - stashed in the machine room so no local storage is required (less noise and heat too).

•   CPU: Intel i3-3220T
•   Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-M
•   Display: Intel HD2500 (Onboard)
•   Memory: Kingston Hyper-X Genesis (2x2GB)
•   Optical: None
•   SSD: Crucial M4 64GB
•   Case: Silverstone GD06B
•   PSU: Corsair VX 550W PSU
•   OS: Windows 7 Professional 64Bit SP1

Let me know what you think, what could change and perhaps some alternatives that you may have experience with. Keeping this thing very quiet is a critical need as well.

VP

[InflatableMouse]

PSU is a bit heavy. Not a real problem except that a PSU is typically tuned to be efficient for a certain load range which you won't reach. Personally I think

No personal experience, but I don't think a HD2500 will be able to play ROHQ, not with the generally preferred settings on MadVR I would think.

You may want to put 2x4GB in it. 4GB is generally enough if you don't do anything else but its dirt cheap!

Nothing wrong with the Crucial M4, very solid choice. Only one concern, and I speak from experience, 64GB might not be enough. I had the Intel 80GB as my first SSD and even though I moved the entire Users folder and installed every program on another drive, the C: drive would fill up over time and I had no idea how to keep it clean. Windows update folders, cache folders that people warn about to not delete or risk eternal doom ... I don't know. 128GB seems to be sweet in my HTCP and I dont have the same problems I had with the smaller disk.

[Vocalpoint]

PSU is a bit heavy. Not a real problem except that a PSU is typically tuned to be efficient for a certain load range which you won't reach. Personally I think

Agreed. It's one that I have here. Any suggestions on something very quiet but lower in power?

No personal experience, but I don't think a HD2500 will be able to play ROHQ, not with the generally preferred settings on MadVR I would think.

Hmm...that's a biggie. We are getting a new 60' inch flat as part of the reno - so we need to be able to rip thru anything and handle "best" quality when called upon. I am trying to not host a third party video card simply for noise and heat. There will be no gaming here so maybe HD 4000 then? Possibly switch up the CPU - but then again...do not want more noise,heat etc trying to cool down some heavy duty CPU.

You may want to put 2x4GB in it. 4GB is generally enough if you don't do anything else but its dirt cheap!

That was a typo - actaully. I do have 2x4GB on the actual list.

Nothing wrong with the Crucial M4, very solid choice. Only one concern, and I speak from experience, 64GB might not be enough. I had the Intel 80GB as my first SSD and even though I moved the entire Users folder and installed every program on another drive, the C: drive would fill up over time and I had no idea how to keep it clean. Windows update folders, cache folders that people warn about to not delete or risk eternal doom ... I don't know. 128GB seems to be sweet in my HTCP and I dont have the same problems I had with the smaller disk.

I have the Crucial M4 (128GB) in two other machines here...including my main workstation and the C drive is currently @ 27GB used - and that's with everything installed and this machine in use 16 hours of everyday.

The HTPC on the other hand will have about 4 programs installed - including MC and only have Windows Update applied.

I think you may have had System Restore turned on - which can easily make hard disk disappear in an instant if not carefully set and monitored. For all SSD installs here - the first thing to go is System Restore. We use third party imaging to handle any "full" backup activities.

Thanks again!

VP

[InflatableMouse]

Agreed. It's one that I have here. Any suggestions on something very quiet but lower in power?

Seasonic SS-250SU (FlexATX, make sure that fits), Antec Green line.

That system will need less than 200 watts. You could maybe even consider a Mini-box M4-ATX-HV Widerange PSU 6-34V 250W if you feel adventurous.

Hmm...that's a biggie. We are getting a new 60' inch flat as part of the reno - so we need to be able to rip thru anything and handle "best" quality when called upon. I am trying to not host a third party video card simply for noise and heat. There will be no gaming here so maybe HD 4000 then? Possibly switch up the CPU - but then again...do not want more noise,heat etc trying to cool down some heavy duty CPU.

Uhm ... HD4000 can do good, I had no issues with it. I'm an Nvidia fan and didn't like the Intel software, didn't like the idea giving it system memory so I added a GT430, fanless. I love it, its virtually perfect. But then again, if you play a lot of SD and want the best upscaling with MadVR, even the 430 isn't enough you may want to look at a new model, there's a recent thread about that, I'll see if I can find it. If you go adding an extra card, definitely forget about the mini-box PSU.

I have the Crucial M4 (128GB) in two other machines here...including my main workstation and the C drive is currently @ 27GB used - and that's with everything installed and this machine in use 16 hours of everyday.

The HTPC on the other hand will have about 4 programs installed - including MC and only have Windows Update applied.

I think you may have had System Restore turned on - which can easily make hard disk disappear in an instant if not carefully set and monitored. For all SSD installs here - the first thing to go is System Restore. We use third party imaging to handle any "full" backup activities.

I didn't have system restore enabled, but I guess it all comes down to how you use a system and the applications installed. It's not a biggie if you know it will work for you then it will work out just fine .

[InflatableMouse]

As promised:

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=75639.0

[Vocalpoint]

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=75639.0

Thanks - but that card is running around $229 and up...too rich for this build.

Cheers,

VP

[mojave]

I have an older Silverstone case that had smaller fans. I removed the fans and use a Scythe Big Shurikan fan on the processor. This fan makes no noise under normal use.

I had a GeForce GTX 550 Ti in my HTPC with an aftermarket cooler that is very quiet. However, I recently bought an MSI GeForce GTX 660 with the Twin Frozer cooler and it is even quieter.

If you are primarily watching Blu-ray, then the Intel should be fine. It is when you upscale DVD or 720p TV content that madVR needs a better video card for the highest quality processing. You can also just turn down the settings to make it work, though.

I am using an 850 watt Corsair PSU. When you are only drawing a few watts while the computer is idling it doesn't cost anything and isn't worth it for the manufactures to increase efficiency. From 20% load and up the efficiency is a little better and almost uniform to max output. I like the reviews at JonnyGuru.com. The Corsair PSU's with the 120mm fans are very quiet.

[InflatableMouse]

JonnyGuru Rulez. Just so you know. He made me buy the Antec CP-850.

[Vocalpoint]

I have an older Silverstone case that had smaller fans. I removed the fans and use a Scythe Big Shurikan fan on the processor. This fan makes no noise under normal use.

I had a GeForce GTX 550 Ti in my HTPC with an aftermarket cooler that is very quiet. However, I recently bought an MSI GeForce GTX 660 with the Twin Frozer cooler and it is even quieter.

If you are primarily watching Blu-ray, then the Intel should be fine. It is when you upscale DVD or 720p TV content that madVR needs a better video card for the highest quality processing. You can also just turn down the settings to make it work, though.

I am using an 850 watt Corsair PSU. When you are only drawing a few watts while the computer is idling it doesn't cost anything and isn't worth it for the manufactures to increase efficiency. From 20% load and up the efficiency is a little better and almost uniform to max output. I like the reviews at JonnyGuru.com. The Corsair PSU's with the 120mm fans are very quiet.

Thanks for the update. And yes - all video via this PC with be file based - no optical drive, no upscaling or anything like that - we still have the Oppo BDP-83 for any DVD upscaling etc.

And yeah - the Corsair is a candidate simply because it does the job and it's just sitting there waiting to go in.

Unless there is something really glaring on this list - I think I will run with it and see what happens. I have a week to try it all out.

VP

[dean70]

I would look at swapping the Corsair VX550 for a Seasonic X-460 Fanless. I had a Corsair CX430 & had audible buzzing from the PSU and interference with the sound card -swapped it for a Seasonic & it is now all silent. The quality is not a good as Seasonic IMO.

[Vocalpoint]

I would look at swapping the Corsair VX550 for a Seasonic X-460 Fanless. I had a Corsair CX430 & had audible buzzing from the PSU and interference with the sound card -swapped it for a Seasonic & it is now all silent. The quality is not a good as Seasonic IMO.

Coolio. Will check into it.

VP

[glynor]

Just one, possibly useless, tip (I haven't had time to review this thread fully, perhaps tomorrow)...

If you decide to go with a discreet GPU instead of bumping up the CPU (and I'm not really commenting one way or the other on that front with this), you might want to consider an AMD card if power is your main concern and if the machine will spend a lot of time at idle with the screen off.  My HTPC certainly does.

Current AMD GPUs (the 7000 series) have a nice feature where when the monitor is off, they completely power down the GPU.  It makes a fairly dramatic difference in idle power with the monitor sleeping.  On the other hand, if it will spend a fair amount of time at idle or low-power mode (doing simple 2D things), but will be shut completely down when not being used (or put into hibernate mode), then it washes out a lot more.  This has a much bigger impact with the larger, higher-end GPUs, of course.

However, also be wary of Nvidia's low-end lines.  The 640 is the lowest-end card using the current silicon generation (and the 640 isn't a particularly good value).  If you go with an older model (or a new "model" which is really just a rebranded old model), you could end up with much, much higher power consumption and/or noise.

That all said, I don't know if it'd be worth it overall to do that swap (cheap GPU instead of better CPU).  Depends on pricing and overall goals.

[Vocalpoint]

Just one, possibly useless, tip (I haven't had time to review this thread fully, perhaps tomorrow)...

If you decide to go with a discreet GPU instead of bumping up the CPU (and I'm not really commenting one way or the other on that front with this), you might want to consider an AMD card if power is your main concern and if the machine will spend a lot of time at idle with the screen off.  My HTPC certainly does.

Current AMD GPUs (the 7000 series) have a nice feature where when the monitor is off, they completely power down the GPU.  It makes a fairly dramatic difference in idle power with the monitor sleeping.  On the other hand, if it will spend a fair amount of time at idle or low-power mode (doing simple 2D things), but will be shut completely down when not being used (or put into hibernate mode), then it washes out a lot more.  This has a much bigger impact with the larger, higher-end GPUs, of course.

However, also be wary of Nvidia's low-end lines.  The 640 is the lowest-end card using the current silicon generation (and the 640 isn't a particularly good value).  If you go with an older model (or a new "model" which is really just a rebranded old model), you could end up with much, much higher power consumption and/or noise.

That all said, I don't know if it'd be worth it overall to do that swap (cheap GPU instead of better CPU).  Depends on pricing and overall goals.

Glynor,

Thanks for the detail. Really appreciate it! And congrats on your MC Citizen of the Year...enjoy those steaks, baby!

Yeah - I am still not sure I want to commit to a full blown GPU at this stage. I think my best plan is to get a set of parts home - construct and then see what shakes down with playback.

Again - this unit will be strictly file based playback only - movies (all in MKV format) from the server and music in FLAC. And since I can get HD playback on any MKV files from the lowliest PC I have here - a circa 2008 machine - I can't imagine not being able to do the same from a very current 2012/13 context - even without a dedicated GPU.

After doing some more research - I am going to change the CPU to the i3-3225 which has the HD 4000 gpu. I haven't found any info or review that has stated that this GPU cannot handle all basic HD playback.

Still looking at possibly a lower powered PSU. My only real concerns now are with noise. This ASUS board only has a single chassis fan connector - whereas the Silverstone has three fans - not saying I need them all...but it would be nice to be able to control the roar on these case fans instead of having to deal with them running wide open connected directly to the PSU.

Cheers!

VP

[InflatableMouse]

I am going to change the CPU to the i3-3225 which has the HD 4000 gpu. I haven't found any info or review that has stated that this GPU cannot handle all basic HD playback.

It can and i think that is the best choice you can make in your situation.

Also, try your old PSU you have laying around. If it turns out to be noisy or interfere with audio somehow, buy the seasonic fanless.

[Vocalpoint]

Also, try your old PSU you have laying around. If it turns out to be noisy or interfere with audio somehow, buy the seasonic fanless.

Going to try this unit - modular - decent price and decnet ratings - and it's actually build by Seasonic:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703034

Cheers!

VP

[Vocalpoint]

Well...it's done...and ordered:

•   CPU: Intel i3-3225
•   Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-M
•   GPU: Intel HD 4000 (Onboard)
•   Memory: Kingston Hyper-X Genesis (2x4GB)
•   Optical: None
•   SSD: Crucial M4 64GB
•   Case: Silverstone GD06B
•   PSU: Corsair VX 550W (as a starter - if too noisy - then sub in another choice)
•   OS: Windows 7 Professional 64Bit SP1

Really looking forward to getting started - and thanks again for all the chit and chat.

Merry Xmas!

VP

[glynor]

By the way... You'll like the ASUS if you get in there and play with it, as far as the fan controllers.

ASUS has the nicest Fan Controllers there are on motherboards.  All sorts of nice fiddly widgets.  You can even set RPM/Temp response curves.   

[Custom71]

I currently have a high end 2 channel audio system and am trying to avoid junking my 1 year old mac mini which is connected to my external Dac through firewire. 

I would like to get into MC and would like to hear from anyone that has a mid 2011 mac mini (intel i5) running windows and MC and JRemote controlling the mini?

I know this may not be ideal, but would like to know if the above works and more importantly, is it reliable?

Thx

Sorry in advance if I may have hijacked this thread... even though I found it very useful with all the PC recommendation on here...

[InflatableMouse]

I think you'd best start your own thread Custom71.

[Vocalpoint]

I think you'd best start your own thread Custom71.

+ 1 Appreciate it if you could. Just waiting for my CPU now and will be coming back to this thread for more I am sure.

Cheers.

VP

[Thumper]

I just finished building one based on this:  http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/next-unit-computing-introduction.html



The Intel NUC. I used a notebook 4g sodimm i had laying around and a ssd msata card. Basically silent and tiny.

[Vocalpoint]

I just finished building one based on this:  http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/next-unit-computing-introduction.html

The Intel NUC. I used a notebook 4g sodimm i had laying around and a ssd msata card. Basically silent and tiny.

Cool. Same graphics (HD 4000) as I plan to use. Should work well!

Cheers,

VP