Xbmc HTPC Build Help

[Cangialosi1]

Hello,

I really want to build an HTPC to run Xbmc and I need help.

My main use for it is to play DVD ISO / BD ISO files. These files would be stored on an external hard drive and possibly an NAS in the future. Obviously it has to handle 1080p content without a problem. I would also like to have the Netflix plugin installed and be able to have the Live TV feature. Lastly it would be nice to have the option of installing an HDD in the future but it's not absolutely necessary if this breaks the budget.

I do not care what the case looks like. I don't want it to look like a tower, but it doesn't have to be small. I would like it to be quiet but it doesnt have to be absolutely silent.

I would like to keep the cost around $250.

Thank you for your help I greatly appreciate it.

 

[plywrlw]

So at or around your budget you can have either
1. A 128Gb SSD for very fast turning on times or....
2. A discrete GPU which will help avoid stuttering when playing Blu-ray's

I went with the GPU in this build but the Pentium can probably manage without the extra GPU help and you can always add one later

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GT 730 1GB Video Card ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $274.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 09:57 EST-0500

 

[Cangialosi1]

The video card isint necessary right now, I would be okay adding that later if i could get the SSD.

Also isint AMD better and more affordable for an XBMC Htpc? That's just what I've heard. I would be running Xbmcubuntu i assume, I heard that's a better option in what I want to be doing.

What do you think about this?

 

[plywrlw]

Your stipulation of not wanting a tower case made it too expensive to go with an APU because mITX motherboards for the APU are very expensive and they also need more expensive RAM. Performance-wise an A6 APU will not perform as well as the G3220 + GT 730 I built but it will run cooler and consume less power.

If you can bear having a tower then this is an APU build in your budget. You can add an identical stick of RAM at a later date if you need to.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($43.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($48.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($37.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial M550 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $246.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 12:33 EST-0500

If you can stretch your budget then a mITX build is possible with an APU

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($37.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial M550 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $295.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 12:37 EST-0500

 

[plywrlw]

The video card isint necessary right now, I would be okay adding that later if i could get the SSD.

Also isint AMD better and more affordable for an XBMC Htpc? That's just what I've heard. I would be running Xbmcubuntu i assume, I heard that's a better option in what I want to be doing.

What do you think about this?

Also, your link isn't working!

 

[Cangialosi1]

Thanks for those options.

I can be okay with the tower, I just really would like the best build to have absolutely no problem playing BD ISO files. I would also like it to boot fast.

Which build would work for that?
Also can the build handle the NAS storage playing the BD ISO files?

Lastly, is Xbmcubuntu the way to go over windows?

I'm sorry about my previous post, I did not mean to link anything to it.

Once again, I really appreciate you helping me with this.

 

[plywrlw]

The Pentium processor has a definite edge over the A6 APU. The A6 just has better built-in graphics. The Pentium build also allows for future upgrades to an i5 processor if you ever need to whereas the best you can put into the A6's FM2 socket is an A10 APU.

For playing BD ISO's the Pentium may struggle without the help of a seperate GPU but it might be OK. I've not played a BD ISO on my Pentium-based HTPC.

I suppose you could make the Pentium build and see how it goes. If it struggles a bit with BD-ISO get a seperate GPU. You could even get a cheaper one than the one in my build like a DDR3 based GT 730 or 720 or an R7 230 as you won't be using it for gaming.

Really, the build would benefit from a quad-core processor like an A8 APU or an i3 which at lease has hyper-threading but your budget doesn't allow for these.

I would hope someone else contributes to this thread who has more experience of your specific needs. XMBCUBUNTU has the massive advantage of being free!

 

[Cangialosi1]

Thank you for your help.

I also help I receive some more guidance on this subject.