Future-proof, budget, family HTPC

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

ziasimius

Prominent
Nov 8, 2017
2
0
510
Hi all, I was recently gifted a 10 year old (so NOT smart) Aquos.
I live in Sardinia where technology can be ages behind - and then jump forward
- gigabit fiber coming next week, never even seen 4K BluRay

I'd like to build/buy a home file server/HTPC system for my family
to navigate, Skype vid, and stream YouTube/Netflix/Amazon
(no gaming but Minecraft).

Low power consumption & noise are of course important,
I'd really really also like a low maintenance & future proof solution

I understand 4-8G RAM (DDR3)
(no SSD needed, though I like hybrid boot speed)
Form factor / aesthetics are also important (Italian wife)
- as is cost!

Is a laptop really viable?
How about a ViVoMini ?
other options/suggestions?

?? Criteria
CPU min specs?
Celeron, i3, i5?

Anything obvious I'm overlooking

Thanks in advance,

William
 
Solution
Barty1884
The only reason for the Aerocool case choice is the limited availability of "HTPC" sized cases in Italy.
The Silverstone case in my first suggested build, I really like - but it's a bit pricey.

The 400W PSU is "high" on paper only - the chances of that PSU being anywhere remotely close to "400W" capable is very slim. It's probably a 300W unit at absolute best.

Why are you scratching your head on the G4560? It's essentially an i3 from prior generations (dual core + hyper threading, so 4 logical cores).
Sort by date Sort by votes
Barty1884

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Apr 16, 2015
22,250
1,350
108,740
An HTPC doesn't have to be too, too powerful - and Minecraft has (relatively) low requirements.

"Future proof" isn't too much of a concern with HTPC's, as their basic requirements are relatively minimum.
You could get by with a Dual-Core and probably 2-4GB RAM..... but that would like feel a bit sluggish.

I'd suggest looking at a minimum Dual-Core+HyperThreading and 8GB RAM.

Some options:
If it were me, I'd do something like this.... although definitely overkill as it could handle modern AAA titles 1080p, Medium settings.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor (€199.86 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard (€117.97 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Mushkin - Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (€73.28 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Seagate - FireCuda 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive (€62.80 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: Inno3D - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Compact Video Card (€146.40 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: Silverstone - RVZ01B-E HTPC Case (€89.67 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: Fractal Design - Integra M 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (€43.77 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €733.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-08 21:10 CET+0100

Something much more budget-friendly and "fit for purpose" would be something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - A12-9800 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor (€111.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard (€117.97 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Mushkin - Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (€73.28 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Seagate - FireCuda 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive (€62.80 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: Aerocool - QS-102 Slim HTPC Case w/400W Power Supply (€31.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €398.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-08 21:12 CET+0100

I don't like the ideal of the "included" PSU, but for a <100W system, it should be fine.

An Intel option:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor (€59.14 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: MSI - B250M PRO-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (€50.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Mushkin - Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory (€66.34 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Seagate - FireCuda 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive (€62.80 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GT 1030 2GB 2GH LP OC Video Card (€71.02 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: Aerocool - QS-102 Slim HTPC Case w/400W Power Supply (€31.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €342.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-08 21:15 CET+0100

The iGPU would be underwhelming in Minecraft and, although the GT 1030 is a budget offering, would be a worthwhile inclusion.



As for your questions:
1. A laptop is somewhat viable..... but from an upgrade path or additional storage options, it doesn't give you much (if anything at all).
2. VivoMini's are a decent option - but all you're really paying for is the tiny footprint. While it's nice, I don't feel it's worth the hundreds of dollars/Euros/Pounds extra over something you can put together yourself.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
JoeMomma

JoeMomma

Distinguished
Nov 17, 2010
860
1
19,360

This is a start and I usually never say this but, wait for the new thing.
AMD APU's (CPU+GPU) are good for HTPC's. After all it's what in the Xbox and Playstation.
However AMD is about to release new APU's based on Ryzen soon.

CPU: AMD - A10-7860k 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($83.59 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI - A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot - Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: PNY - CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill - R379-M MicroATX Slim Case w/300W Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On - iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($10.99 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($30.00)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill - RNX-N250PCe PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($16.67 @ Amazon)
Total: $394.19

Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-08 16:41 EST-0500

This may be a little out of date because it's a list I made a while ago.


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

ziasimius

Prominent
Nov 8, 2017
2
0
510
Thanks for the comprehensive response!
My last 2 builds were ASUS/AMD, and I struggled with heat problems. I've read that AMD has improved in recent years, still, I focused on your 3rd proposal.

Folks are raving about the G4560 - which was my only initial head-scratch.
Any specific reasons for the Aerocool case choice?
I only ask because 400W seems high
- and potentially noisey?

Thanks again
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Barty1884

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Apr 16, 2015
22,250
1,350
108,740
The only reason for the Aerocool case choice is the limited availability of "HTPC" sized cases in Italy.
The Silverstone case in my first suggested build, I really like - but it's a bit pricey.

The 400W PSU is "high" on paper only - the chances of that PSU being anywhere remotely close to "400W" capable is very slim. It's probably a 300W unit at absolute best.

Why are you scratching your head on the G4560? It's essentially an i3 from prior generations (dual core + hyper threading, so 4 logical cores).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom