I want to build a budget htpc/mini file server, and I'm having trouble deciding on which cpu to build around.
The main purpose of this build is media playback, but I will use it for downloading, data storage, and basic web browsing as well. It will be connected to a 50" LG 1080p plasma. I need it to be able to stream 1080p video, play blu-rays, and handle common multimedia container formats(divx, avi, mkv, mp4,...) in 720p or 1080p with ease. 3D is not important at this time, but I would kind of like it to be a possibility in the future.
***I do NOT game.***
I already have a case, psu, windows 7, and a few hdds that I intend to use.
My case is a Cooler Master n200(I like it a lot)
My psu is Cooler Master GX450(probably overkill/could be sold to get something smaller)
I will temporarily use a 320gb 7200rpm hdd for windows until I can get a small ssd, but I have a couple of 1tb hdds for storage. (will probably add some 2-3tbs in the future)
I insist on having USB 3.0 and sata iii, and I really want a hdmi port, but I may be willing to forego that... maybe.
I don't really want to use a discrete gpu, but I'm not totally going to rule it out.
I have an old, but never been used Gigabyte GA-A75M-S2V fm1 AMD motherboard that I could use, but I'm not particularly excited about building a new system around 3 year old tech. Plus, it lacks hdmi. I also don't really like my cpu choices for this socket either. I'm afraid the A4-3400 is too weak gpu wise and especially cpu wise. The A6-3500 sounds better, but it's +$25 over the A4, and actually loses in the already poor single core performance area. Then you have the A6 and A8 quad cores which I feel are overkill for what I need, not to mention they are all 100w which is a big turnoff for a htpc build.
I also have a brand new A8-6600K, but that's massive overkill for my needs so I'll likely just try to sell it. I only grabbed it because it was too good of a deal to pass up. I won't rule out other fm2 socket apus though(A4-5300, A6-5400K, A8-5500, etc...)
When I first decided to put this all together, I had my heart set on the Intel g1610, but then I started to doubt it's wimpy little hd graphics. Now what I want the most is a i3-3225 or i3-3245, but they're a good bit out of my projected budget at $120-130ish each as I originally intended to spend that amount on the cpu AND mobo combined. I trust intel's hd 4000 graphics though to do what I need, but I'm not so sure about the hd 3000, 2500, or 2000 graphics.
So... what do you guys think?
How well would the A4-3400 perform all around?
Would I need to step up the the A6-3500 even though it doesn't seem like a very good value, especially considering the A6-3670K is only $10 more.
Is the A6-3670K as much overkill as I think it is?
Could the A4-3400 or A6-3500 be overclocked a little(300-400mhz) to perform better in single threaded tasks?
AMD fm2 socket apu?
What about Intel Ivy Bridge's hd graphics on the g1610-g2120? hd 2500? hd 3000? hd 4000?
Or should I just grab the g1610 and get a little $20 fanless gpu like a hd 6450 or nvidia equivalent? Or maybe a low watt i3-3220t + gpu?
As far as RAM goes, I think 4gb is enough, but 4gb sticks go on sale so often I could just as easily get 8gb. I could save a little $$$ on ram if I went with Intel because I could just get one 1600mhz 4gb stick and call it a day, but If I go with an AMD apu, I would get a dual channel kit at 1866mhz at least.
Sorry for such a long post. Any help or advice is appreciated.
I am especially hoping to hear from some people who actually use some of these parts.
Thanks in advance.
The main purpose of this build is media playback, but I will use it for downloading, data storage, and basic web browsing as well. It will be connected to a 50" LG 1080p plasma. I need it to be able to stream 1080p video, play blu-rays, and handle common multimedia container formats(divx, avi, mkv, mp4,...) in 720p or 1080p with ease. 3D is not important at this time, but I would kind of like it to be a possibility in the future.
***I do NOT game.***
I already have a case, psu, windows 7, and a few hdds that I intend to use.
My case is a Cooler Master n200(I like it a lot)
My psu is Cooler Master GX450(probably overkill/could be sold to get something smaller)
I will temporarily use a 320gb 7200rpm hdd for windows until I can get a small ssd, but I have a couple of 1tb hdds for storage. (will probably add some 2-3tbs in the future)
I insist on having USB 3.0 and sata iii, and I really want a hdmi port, but I may be willing to forego that... maybe.
I don't really want to use a discrete gpu, but I'm not totally going to rule it out.
I have an old, but never been used Gigabyte GA-A75M-S2V fm1 AMD motherboard that I could use, but I'm not particularly excited about building a new system around 3 year old tech. Plus, it lacks hdmi. I also don't really like my cpu choices for this socket either. I'm afraid the A4-3400 is too weak gpu wise and especially cpu wise. The A6-3500 sounds better, but it's +$25 over the A4, and actually loses in the already poor single core performance area. Then you have the A6 and A8 quad cores which I feel are overkill for what I need, not to mention they are all 100w which is a big turnoff for a htpc build.
I also have a brand new A8-6600K, but that's massive overkill for my needs so I'll likely just try to sell it. I only grabbed it because it was too good of a deal to pass up. I won't rule out other fm2 socket apus though(A4-5300, A6-5400K, A8-5500, etc...)
When I first decided to put this all together, I had my heart set on the Intel g1610, but then I started to doubt it's wimpy little hd graphics. Now what I want the most is a i3-3225 or i3-3245, but they're a good bit out of my projected budget at $120-130ish each as I originally intended to spend that amount on the cpu AND mobo combined. I trust intel's hd 4000 graphics though to do what I need, but I'm not so sure about the hd 3000, 2500, or 2000 graphics.
So... what do you guys think?
How well would the A4-3400 perform all around?
Would I need to step up the the A6-3500 even though it doesn't seem like a very good value, especially considering the A6-3670K is only $10 more.
Is the A6-3670K as much overkill as I think it is?
Could the A4-3400 or A6-3500 be overclocked a little(300-400mhz) to perform better in single threaded tasks?
AMD fm2 socket apu?
What about Intel Ivy Bridge's hd graphics on the g1610-g2120? hd 2500? hd 3000? hd 4000?
Or should I just grab the g1610 and get a little $20 fanless gpu like a hd 6450 or nvidia equivalent? Or maybe a low watt i3-3220t + gpu?
As far as RAM goes, I think 4gb is enough, but 4gb sticks go on sale so often I could just as easily get 8gb. I could save a little $$$ on ram if I went with Intel because I could just get one 1600mhz 4gb stick and call it a day, but If I go with an AMD apu, I would get a dual channel kit at 1866mhz at least.
Sorry for such a long post. Any help or advice is appreciated.
I am especially hoping to hear from some people who actually use some of these parts.
Thanks in advance.