APU/CPU for HTPC

[james-crosb]

I am looking to build an HTPC that will be used for viewing/pausing/recording OTA tv, watching adn ripping blu-rays, pulling in content from the net (netflix, vudu, hulu+,etc). Their may be some light gaming, but nothing hardcore.

I do not anticipate a discreet graphics card and am trying to determine the best APU for my build.

I've been leaning toward an Intel i3-4130(T) paired with an Asrock H81M Micro mobo.

I am vendor neutral and looking for the best solution for the money. The intel cpus are running around $130 but the AMD A6/A8s can be had for significantly less money.

What would be the best APU/CPU for my build?

Thank you- JC

 

[burdenbound]

I would go with the AMD APU, I believe as an all in one they are the best. It should have plenty of power to do what you want of it. Pair it with fast RAM like 1866MHz, the APUs really like fast RAM and there is a noticeable difference in performance.

 

[james-crosb]

Thank you. I was planning on 1866 gskill ram. Also either a low capacity SSD or look to boot from CF/SD/Etc.

Any recommendations on AMD chips? Would like to keep as quiet and cool as possible but still maintain some performance.

Also mobos as I havent really looked at AMD options.

Thank you!

 

[Supahos]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331


probably the best processor you can get for what you're asking.


and


http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-14900cl8d-8gbxm

is probably the best memory kit for what you're after

 

[beyondlogic]

Thank you. I was planning on 1866 gskill ram. Also either a low capacity SSD or look to boot from CF/SD/Etc.

Any recommendations on AMD chips? Would like to keep as quiet and cool as possible but still maintain some performance.

Also mobos as I havent really looked at AMD options.

Thank you!

I would recomend amd a8 5500 since it is a 65w

or richland a8 6500

all depends on your budget i have a few ideas floating around plus you could get a fm2 plus board and then upgrade to kaveri which im hoping the a8 core they mentioned will be 65w

AMD A10-6700 65w

also depending on budget

high end compatible with newer processors next year
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/25EJj

uncompatible with newer processors

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/25F9U

 

[james-crosb]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Here is what I am leaning toward:

CPU AMD A8-5500 $96.53
Mobo ASRock FM2A75M-DGS R2.0 $60.69
Memory G.Skill 4GB $41.99
Storage WD 2TB 5400RPM $88.94
Case Sentey SS1-2420 $49.99

Total: $338.14
Estimated Wattage: 144W

Will add a SDD for the boot drive. RE RAM- will I see a decent bump in performance upgrading to 8 GB,and if so, should it be 1x8gb or 2x4gb?

Thanks all!

 

[beyondlogic]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Here is what I am leaning toward:

CPU AMD A8-5500 $96.53
Mobo ASRock FM2A75M-DGS R2.0 $60.69
Memory G.Skill 4GB $41.99
Storage WD 2TB 5400RPM $88.94
Case Sentey SS1-2420 $49.99

Total: $338.14
Estimated Wattage: 144W

Will add a SDD for the boot drive. RE RAM- will I see a decent bump in performance upgrading to 8 GB,and if so, should it be 1x8gb or 2x4gb?

Thanks all!

personally for future upgrading without a dedicated graphics card get the a88 series gigabyte boards so you can upgrade when kaveri becomes cheap this way your covered to light game in future since its been shown that kaveri alone could play bf4 on medium setting at 31 frames

http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-A88X-Bolton-Micro-Motherboard/dp/B00FYKNFFS/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1385025961&sr=1-6&keywords=a88x

a8 6500 richland with this mobo is better few more dollars higher clock

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Richland-Quad-Core-Processor-AD6500OKHLBOX/dp/B00CPLGFII/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385026278&sr=8-1&keywords=a8+6500

id also recomend 2x4gb or 2x2 2x2 depending on which is cheaper best speed for max performance would be 1866mhz for best performance to make them shine the memory speed is important as the gpu improves with higher speeds linux tips shows the diffrence well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Z7H1PYUkk

and duel channel is faster if you just put 3 rams in it will work in single channel hindering performance

 

[CTurbo]

I just built myself a HTPC, and I almost got one of the Haswell i3s(was gonna get the 4130t, then 4130, then 4330), but I ended up with an A10 6800k which is definitely overkill for HTPC uses, but I got a fm2+ motherboard so I could upgrade to Kaveri next year. I really wanted an A10 6700 because I didn't want a 100w cpu, but I couldn't justify spending the same price on the 6700 that I could on the 6800k. I actually got a great deal on the 6800k. The 6700 is never on sale.

They are right about RAM. You want 1866mhz at least in dual channel. Doesn't matter if it's 2X2GB or 2x4GB. This goes for any processor by any brand if you are using it's integrated graphics. Even an A4 is plenty good enough for HTPC uses so you could get the $40 A4-3400 if you want to be super cheap haha.

The Intel HD 4000, 4400, and 4600 graphics are plenty good enough too. Don't count out the i3 3225 or 3245. They have HD 4000.

One of the reasons I went with AMD is because the A series cpus are made for these uses IMO. Plus, the fm2/fm2+ motherboards seem to be more feature rich for the price. I got 8 sata III ports with my fm2+ A88m! Perfect for me since my build doubles as a media file server.

 

[james-crosb]

I'd like to stay micro atx. How about the Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard at $75 along with the AMD A8-6500 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor and then 2x4 gb 2133 ram?

Sorry about the back and forth. Just a lot of options to consider!

 

[CTurbo]

That's the motherboard I got and I love it. The A8-6500 would be great. I built my parents a desktop with the A8-5500 and they're very happy with it. The A8s don't officially support 2133mhz RAM, only the A10 6800k does. Just get 1866mhz.

 

[beyondlogic]

I'd like to stay micro atx. How about the Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard at $75 along with the AMD A8-6500 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor and then 2x4 gb 2133 ram?

Sorry about the back and forth. Just a lot of options to consider!

problem is 1866mhz is the highest you could really go i think with there memory controllers but i would believe 2133mhz would downclock due to its memory controller leaving you with 1866mhz again but when kaveri arrives youll find it will unlock fully most people use higher memory speeds


all depends on your budget if no holes barred a a10 6700 would be fine or a a10 5700 with 1866mhz