HTPC, Plex and Blu-Ray ripping - Additional considerations?

[jjkr]

I'm looking to build a ~$500 HTPC and there are some amazing recommendations but I'm not sure if I need to take into account additional processing power, RAM, etc. for what I want to do.

I can definitely find one of the "standard" recommended builds for ~$500 on the forums that can handle playing Blu-Ray, stream to our devices (we have a number of Roku's, iPads, laptops, etc.) etc. and handle a Plex server. But what I'd also like to do is be able to use the same machine to rip our DVDs either when we're not watching something the box is streaming or (this would be too cool 😉) even while streaming. I'm fine with buying a license for Windows WhateverversionIshouldrun and I figure having Handbrake on it will handle the ripping. But how much more *oomf* do I need to be able to run Plex, stream and rip? Is it a matter of just more RAM (or would that even matter?) or is there a particular chipset and/or motherboard at which I should be looking? Is this question like "How long is a piece of string?" and makes no sense? I'm hoping not and someone would be able to provide some guidance. In advance, thank you.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($128.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($53.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.40 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Apex DM-387 HTPC Case w/275W Power Supply ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($37.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $498.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-05 19:27 EDT-0400)

 

[jjkr]

Thank you ScrewySqrl! I didn't expect a complete system list I was wondering if you had a second suggestion for a case? I'd love to be able to put more drives into the box (wish list? 4.) while still keeping it as quiet as the one you listed but not in a tower format. Wishful thinking?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

you can try one of the nMediaPC cases which can take 3-4 drives (they run about $70-up). You would also need a Power supply, a Seasonic 300W 80+ bronze will do nicely (on sale for $30 at Newegg). These would push you to $550-560 compared to the build I suggested.

if you needed to trim back under $500: an A55 motherboard is about $10 cheaper (and lacks Sata 3/USB 3 compared to the A75 -- which you won't notice with a mechanical drive), 4 GB of DDR3-1600 would save about $20-25, and a 1TB drive would save another $20, bringing you back around $500

 

[Capefearless]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($128.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($53.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.40 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Apex DM-387 HTPC Case w/275W Power Supply ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($37.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $498.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-05 19:27 EDT-0400)

ScrewySqrl - not to hijack the thread, but I posted yesterday seeking advice on a similar build and came up with a build very similar to the one you've listed here. Would you mind taking a look at the thread http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1668351/advice-budget-build-htpc-plex-server.html and give your feedback?

 

[jjkr]

I'm actually good with the drives (two 3TB drives and two 1TB. Although I may just drop an SSD in there for the OS, etc. I'm going to look at some of the case options. I love the one you recommend. VERY smooth looking and would match the overall look of the other components. My only concern is the reviews for the cases aren't great - the consistent problem seems to be quality control at the manufacturer.

One last question, please: the motherboard you recommended doesn't have an onboard HDMI slot to handle the video/audio. Would you suggest a separate card for that?

Again, I really appreciate the guidance. Many thanks!

 

[Capefearless]

I'm actually good with the drives (two 3TB drives and two 1TB. Although I may just drop an SSD in there for the OS, etc. I'm going to look at some of the case options. I love the one you recommend. VERY smooth looking and would match the overall look of the other components. My only concern is the reviews for the cases aren't great - the consistent problem seems to be quality control at the manufacturer.

One last question, please: the motherboard you recommended doesn't have an onboard HDMI slot to handle the video/audio. Would you suggest a separate card for that?

Again, I really appreciate the guidance. Many thanks!

jjkr,
Since I jumped on your thread earlier, I'll weigh in here. I'm certainly not the expert that others around here are, but I'd say just step up to the FM2A75 Pro4M mobo rather than add the expense, power draw, and heat of a card. The CPU has integrated graphics and this should be more than adequate for watching video (even 1080p).

Just my $0.02, but it looks like we are trying to do pretty much the same thing here and that was really the biggest difference between my build and the one squirrel recommended.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

here's a trimmed down version.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($128.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-E35 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Wintec One 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.28 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 7000B (Black) HTPC Case ($76.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($37.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $520.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 05:34 EDT-0400)

you have an htpc case with 1 dvd slot and up to 3 3.5" drives, but with USB 3.0 front headers. The motherboard has an HDMI out for only $0.50 more than the ASRock board. If you don't need the usb 3.0, you can trim about $7 more off with an nMediaPC 5000 for $69.99 which will have 4 3.5 slots but no USB 3 front ports

 

[jjkr]

Thanks again! I'm making some final tweaking to be along these lines, using the components you recommended but with a different case (BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VXKZ

I'm getting an incompatible warning on the pcpartpicker page so playing around on how to fix that, but looks like I'm well on my way

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Thanks again! I'm making some final tweaking to be along these lines, using the components you recommended but with a different case (BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VXKZ

I'm getting an incompatible warning on the pcpartpicker page so playing around on how to fix that, but looks like I'm well on my way

your case can use a mini-itx motherboard, only, while you have a micro-atx motherboard.

let me suggest the Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case instead. It'll hold a 2.5" drive and two 3.5" drives along with the Blu-Ray, and its $60 at Amazon