Small Media Box Options

[nog]

Hi everyone,

I know there's a few threads on here about small media boxes, but I wanted to get some feedback on what I am looking at getting.
I have recently bought a D-Link Boxee Box on a mates recommendation, but it's less than ideal for what I am after, so I'm looking to replace it with a real system.

It will be running VLC on a 1920x1080 Plasma. I use my phone or tablet as a remote, and I will either put a hard drive in it, use an external, or stream over the network (wireless). I haven't decided yet, probably the wireless first and it if runs alright, I will stick with that. It will run for 3-4 hours every night, and up to 8 hours at a time (in case heat is an issue).

If anyone has any feedback on what I'm listing, has recommendations, or can see that what I have listed will just not work, then please let me know.
I'm definitely aiming for small, and quiet.

Silverstone SG05 Black Cube with 450W - $145
Gigabyte GA-H61N-USB3 Motherboard - $89
Intel Celeron G540 - $46
G.Skill F3-10600CL9S-4GBNT 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 - $22
HIS Radeon HD6450 Silence 1GB - $39
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD - $55
TP-Link TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter - $22

Thanks,
John

This post has been edited by nog: Sep 13 2012, 04:33 PM

[p0is0n]

Might I suggest a HP microserver? Currently the N40L can be had for around $265 I believe. I did a little write up on mine last night. Would be ideal for your needs, and a bit cheaper :) They use about 15-40W depending on what is happening so you could leave it on 24/7 and heat would not be an issue. They are quiet too.

Nothing wrong with the parts you've selected, but would perform no better (maybe even worse) than the microserver.

Edit: Actually the G540 is a more powerful CPU, but processing power is not essential for a HTPC. I can't see any problem with the parts you've selected and I don't think heat will be a factor, as long as you have at least 1 fan running somewhere. Just thought I would offer the HP server as an alternative to rolling your own, there are many people using them for HTPCs.

This post has been edited by p0is0n: Sep 13 2012, 04:53 PM

[aliali]

Unfortunately PCCasegear don't have the board I would recommend and that is the Asrock A75M-ITX socket FM1 (has built in HDMI Port on the back). Why the AMD board? because the FM1 CPU's onboard GPU is very good so you don't need to fit an add in GPU.
With that board I would use either the AMD A4-3400 Dual Core Fusion APU, Socket FM1, 2.7GHz, 1MB Cache, integrated graphics HD6410D or the
A6-3500 Triple Core Fusion APU, Socket FM1, 2.1GHz, 3MB Cache, Turbo Core, integrated graphics HD6530D
Both are 65W CPUs whereas the FM1 Quad cores are 100W.
Using the onboard GPU means you can use the PCI-Express slot for a PCI-Express TV tuner (1x tuner should work fine in a 16x slot).

Personally I would go for a bigger Micro ATX case so I could use a microatx mobo to give a couple more expansion slots, but that's just me :P

[val0r0x]

I +1 the above, I was running the Asrock A75M-ITX with a A6-3500 as a media center and it was pretty awesome, handled everything I threw at it.

Not it's my file/web/teamspeak/print etc. server. Still handles everything fine with several VMs running.

[nog]

Thanks all.

I've seen a lot of people using the microservers.
If I was to get one, I would still need to get a HDD and graphics card, is that correct?
HP Microserver N40L - approx $285
HIS Radeon HD6450 Silence 1GB - $39
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD - $55
TP-Link TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter - $22

Around $401

Or alternatively, I could go the AMD route
ASROCK - A75M-ITX - $99
AMD - AD3500OJGXBOX - $74
Silverstone SG05 Black Cube with 450W - $145
G.Skill F3-10600CL9S-4GBNT 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 - $22
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD - $55
TP-Link TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter - $22

Around $417

What are people's thoughts? Is it all much the same now and just preference as to which way I go?

I think what worries me most is that the microserver specs are quite low compared to what I can build for the same price almost.
I was definitely thinking or going the AMD path originally, but I wasn't quite sure whether they would cut it.

I'm not really interested in using a tv tuner, and can't really imagine that I'd need to plug anything else on the board. I'm definitely keen to try and make a small system, just to see how much of a pain it is, as I'd like to make another one with a little more grunt down the track, so this media box is a bit like my trial run.

Thanks

[discoInferno]

The A6-3500 is a good little CPU and will power through HTPC duties with its integrated GPU no problem. People report it being capable of 3D playback at 1920x1080. With an SSD it should prove to be nice and snappy too.

If I were building a HTPC that's what I'd be using.

[p0is0n]

The Microserver comes with a 250GB HDD, so you wouldn't need the SSD, especially for a HTPC. The AMD system you are comparing it to is much more powerful but it also uses probably 10x more power so it depends if that is a concern or not. It doesn't take much processing power to watch 1080p, even a RaspberryPi can do it and that is only $30. IMO it is basically down to personal preference, but if you want to build it yourself then obviously the Microserver is not the best choice.

[Dasa]

The AMD system you are comparing it to is much more powerful but it also uses probably 10x more power

under load maybe but at idle there isnt much in it
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/displ...-core-i3_8.html

This post has been edited by Dasa: Sep 14 2012, 12:06 PM

[p0is0n]

The AMD system you are comparing it to is much more powerful but it also uses probably 10x more power

under load maybe but at idle there isnt much in it
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/displ...-core-i3_8.html

Doesn't actually look too bad, I was a bit put off by the 100W TDP but seems quite efficient.

[timms24]

I was recently convinced into buying a HP N36L by the guys here and it was definitely worth it. All i had to do was stick a graphics card into it and it just worked perfectly. I havn't tried anything 3D as i dont have a 3d display, but so far it has played everything perfectly. If you search around ebay or gumtree you can get them pretty cheap. I only paid 210 for mine brand new in box.