Hi, I'm trying to come up with a decent HTPC build (it will serve as a frontend/backend combo) for use with Mythbuntu. I'm thinking of using the SiliconDust HDHomerun for the TV tuner. I'm trying to keep the system a low power consumption (processor less than or equal to 65W), low heat unit using the mini ITX form factor. On one hand I'd kind of like a quad core processor, but I realize it's not absolutely necessary. Anyways, here are the builds I'm looking at:
AMD 9350e HTPC - Newegg doesn't carry the 9350e anymore, but that would be the processor that I would pair with the parts.
I'm also interested in the new Intel q8400s that are just coming out (or the q8200s since it should be getting a price drop).
Any opinion on what's a better integrated graphics solution (9300 vs. 8200)? Will the 250W PSU be enough? Will there be enough cooling without adding a fan? I'd like to avoid adding extra cooling or a bigger PSU if possible since it's supposed to be a low power, low heat build. Any other pointers or changes to the above would be appreciated.
If it was me, I'd get the E5200 build (in fact, I've been considering a build very similar to the one you posted). It will have plenty of power for HTPC use unless you're going to be doing a lot of HD video editing with the system.
Yeah a low heat low power low noise in the goal of a HTPC so unless you'll be doing a ton of encoding on it no reason to get a powerful cpu just one good enough to decode.
The Zotac 9300 ITX motherboard has a critical hardware flaw if you plan to wake the HTPC using a USB device (remote). In short, it can't wake up from S3 via USB.
I don't know if the 8200 AMD board has the same problem, but I thought you should know.
If it was me, I'd get the E5200 build (in fact, I've been considering a build very similar to the one you posted). It will have plenty of power for HTPC use unless you're going to be doing a lot of HD video editing with the system.
Any chance you could share the specs you're looking at for your build?
The Zotac 9300 ITX motherboard has a critical hardware flaw if you plan to wake the HTPC using a USB device (remote). In short, it can't wake up from S3 via USB.
I don't know if the 8200 AMD board has the same problem, but I thought you should know.
Thanks for the info, I had heard of that problem and there are (possibly) some ways around it, but if I use the box primarily as a PVR, I don't think it will be in S3 much; but it's hard to tell until I actually complete the build.
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