Need Help! Build an HTPC for my Dad

[alitomari]

I'd like to build my dad a htpc for xmas. He has a 65" Panasonic plasma tv. I've done a lot of research but I have some hanging questions. Basically, I'd like to build an htpc that plays 1080p content flawlessly, no matter what the codec. I've read reports that llano chips has the 29/59 bug, but that intel i3's have problems with certain codecs,so I'm very confused as to which one to pick. Or maybe the answer is to get an intel chip with an external gpu. Also I'd like to keep costs as minimal as possible (while still providing flawless playback). Basically what would you recommend for the cpu (maybe additional gpu?), mobo and case? I have all the other parts and I just need to figure those out. Thanks!

 

[Bejusek]

Budget?
Other parts, what are they?
Target OS?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Does this bug apply to Trinity?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($31.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $292.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-10 06:18 EST-0500)

 

[alitomari]

Budget?
Other parts, what are they?
Target OS?

Well, I'd like it to be $500 or less, I have windows 7, and an optical drive already. I'd need ram, mobo, case, cpu, hd, wifi adapter, and some kind of wireless controlling device. But ya my biggest question is the cpu/gpu. Like I don't want it to be overkill, but I want to be able to play 1080p 3d, 1080p flawlessly, etc. Like I said I read about amd and intel having various playback issues, so I'm not sure which to go with if I want flawless playback.

 

[alitomari]

I'm not sure, I was hoping someone would know more about the playback issues, thanks for your build suggestion, will your build be able to play 1080p in 3d? And is there a more home -theater -looking case you could recommend? Looks a lot like a regular pc tower, and is it worth getting 1800mhz memory? I've read that memory speeds are important for amd builds?

Does this bug apply to Trinity?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($31.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $292.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-10 06:18 EST-0500)

 

[FinneousPJ]

Well, I'd like it to be $500 or less, I have windows 7, and an optical drive already. I'd need ram, mobo, case, cpu, hd, wifi adapter, and some kind of wireless controlling device. But ya my biggest question is the cpu/gpu. Like I don't want it to be overkill, but I want to be able to play 1080p 3d, 1080p flawlessly, etc. Like I said I read about amd and intel having various playback issues, so I'm not sure which to go with if I want flawless playback.

I tried googling and couldn't find any mention of playback issues with the new AMD Trinity.

I'm not sure, I was hoping someone would know more about the playback issues, thanks for your build suggestion, will your build be able to play 1080p in 3d? And is there a more home -theater -looking case you could recommend? Looks a lot like a regular pc tower, and is it worth getting 1800mhz memory? I've read that memory speeds are important for amd builds?

The A6 should be able to play back any media. If you're worried and have $500 spend you could get an A10 quite easily.

Recommending cases is moot because I cannot know what you like.

Memory speed is a meaningful consideration for gaming builds on Trinity. For video playback not so much.

 

[laststop311]

Trinity is simply the best option right now for an htpc. The built in gpu can handle any type of 1080 video you throw at it. Since everything is built onto the cpu you have no discrete card to worry about, much less power consumption, less heat to deal with, and most importantly much cheaper.

Since you have 500 to spend if you want you could get the highest a10 trinity and faster memory and have some decent gaming capabilities if you ever felt like a little pc gaming on the tv.

 

[alitomari]

Ok, I'll go with the trinity then, what about the power supply? I was reading reviews and a lot of them are failing, I was looking at other ones, how many watts do you think I'd need with that setup? It'd be the apu, and maybe eventually an ssd along with 2 additional hard drives in raid.

 

[FinneousPJ]

300W would be fine.

 

[laststop311]

at full max load the trinity apu htpc's seem to be pulling about 160-170 total system watts. So even if you plan on adding 4 ssd's and 6 hdd and 10 fans as previous poster said 300 watt would still be enough. Honestly you could even get away with 250 watts.

With these really low required watts you dont have to get a huge full size psu. You can buy the SFX sized 300 watt power supplies which opens up more choices in better smaller htpc cases

You should get a mini itx mobo not a micro atx. And the small sfx sized psu. Then you can pick a really small sexy htpc case.