23 replies to this topic

[GuJuMaN89]

i am looking at building a small htpc so i decided to go with a mini-itx build, i want to use this just to stream movies from online, and blu-ray discs!

what do you think of this setup:

Case:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811108396

LG Blu-Ray burner:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136250

Asrock Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157238

Intel i3 CPU:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115094

32GB SSD for OS:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227510

2TB Samsung HDD:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152245

G.SKILL 8GB RAM:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231422

Am i missing anything? would this play 3D blu-rays as well with no lag? Also, if i wanted to get an external large capacity hard drive instead of internal, should i just get an external enclosure and throw this 2TB one in there, or buy an existing external hard drive? what external hard drive connectivity would you recommend for fastest transfer speeds? (bluray movies are pretty big! lol)

[dr_bowtie]

bad choice in Motherboard and CPU...

ASRock has a bad rap currently for bad boards and the CPU only has Intel 2000 graphics... its going to struggle without a dedicated GPU...

Either go with an Intel with 4000 graphics or use an AMD APU in either A4 or A6 flavors

[vandreadstriker]

bad choice in Motherboard and CPU...

ASRock has a bad rap currently for bad boards and the CPU only has Intel 2000 graphics... its going to struggle without a dedicated GPU...

Either go with an Intel with 4000 graphics or use an AMD APU in either A4 or A6 flavors

Been using 2 ASRock boards since 2007 and never had a problem since..
And the HD4000 graphics is only available with the 3570K and above.. A definate overkill for a HTPC IMO

@OP: get an AMD APU instead. The A6 or A8 should suffice I think..

Edited by vandreadstriker, 05 July 2012 - 07:56 PM.

[IVIYTH0S]

This takes care of your motherboard and CPU concerns (I have a similar APU board from Sapphire, it's awesome, handles anything HTPC related task I throw at it with ease. With an SSD the E350 FLYS): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131697

I'd get this SSD since it's double the space for $5 more after rebate (and a much better drive): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227725

Marginally cheaper RAM, because why not you'll never see a difference as the specs are identical: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820313123

[dr_bowtie]

IVIYTH that board is mATX not mini-itx....

The E-350 are great set ups... I have 3 of them in service with 2 of them being that exact board....I havent thrown an actual blueray at it to see how it will do but it does 1080p just fine. the only issue with it is streaming netflix in HD and its not the board but more an issue with Silverlight...

For the wattage and power savings you just cant beat an E-350 set up... maybe get one and add a a GPU along side it like.

I coupled my Asus E-350 with a 4550 but only because that was the cheapest fastest card I could find with s-video out for my ancient TV

[Waco]

Intel 2000 graphics can do full 1080p HD movie acceleration without breaking a sweat can't it?

[dr_bowtie]

According to the reviews it can do HD just fine but not sure of the blueray that the OP was asking about.....

[IVIYTH0S]

IVIYTH that board is mATX not mini-itx....

The E-350 are great set ups... I have 3 of them in service with 2 of them being that exact board....I havent thrown an actual blueray at it to see how it will do but it does 1080p just fine. the only issue with it is streaming netflix in HD and its not the board but more an issue with Silverlight...

For the wattage and power savings you just cant beat an E-350 set up... maybe get one and add a a GPU along side it like.

I coupled my Asus E-350 with a 4550 but only because that was the cheapest fastest card I could find with s-video out for my ancient TV

OOPS, ok here's a Micro-ITX then:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157247 I just checked the Atoms just for giggles and they're so overpriced, 4GB max memory, lesser performance, some even had PARALLEL ports!! . AMD ftw for HTPC machines, seriously who would spend $190 for this turd: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813500065

Oh btw OP if you wanted wireless, get one of these too: http://www.meritline...---p-81638.aspx

[dr_bowtie]

The Atom/ION isnt bad either... but I agree they are high priced comparatively... I have an Asus Atom/ION that has all the bells and whistles and it does very well even on blueray rips.... havent tried actual bluerays on it either. the E-350 rigs do very well just the same. and an SSD make them perfect for low wattage HTPC... I have 2 E-350 and 1 Atom/ION in service here at home and I havent had any issue with either and all of them coupled with Sata-II 60gb SSD drives (G-Skill Phoenix)

I also have a mini-itx rig consisting of a Zotac A75 with a A8-3850 and although it rips through anything it has more power consumption and alot more heat output and that makes it much noisier.....to the point its not in service...

[IVIYTH0S]

The Atom/ION isnt bad either... but I agree they are high priced comparatively... I have an Asus Atom/ION that has all the bells and whistles and it does very well even on blueray rips.... havent tried actual bluerays on it either. the E-350 rigs do very well just the same. and an SSD make them perfect for low wattage HTPC... I have 2 E-350 and 1 Atom/ION in service here at home and I havent had any issue with either and all of them coupled with Sata-II 60gb SSD drives (G-Skill Phoenix)

I also have a mini-itx rig consisting of a Zotac A75 with a A8-3850 and although it rips through anything it has more power consumption and alot more heat output and that makes it much noisier.....to the point its not in service...

Instead of an ion setup (with the crappy atom), wouldn't it make sense just to drop a graphics card into the e350 machine on the cheap?? (maybe even hybrid crossfire it) You'd have a winning combination of still being cheaper and have better performance

[Waco]

The onboard on the 350 is more than enough for anything but gaming. Isn't it?

[Vmale]

The onboard on the 350 is more than enough for anything but gaming. Isn't it?

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