HTPC Build Comparison

multimate

Hi I am looking to build cheap htpc capable of 1080p - no emulators etc.
Build 1
Case http://lb.hardwareversand.de/Mini/24799/Compucase+8K01BS-SA12U%2C+mini-ITX%2C+120Watt-Netzteil.article
Mobo http://lb.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?adp=0&aid=59306&agid=1605&apop=3
Ramhttp://lb.hardwareversand.de/1333+MHz/28742/4GB+SO-DIMM+DDR3+A-DATA+Value+1333+CL9.article
CPU http://lb.hardwareversand.de/Socket+1155/66360/Intel+Celeron+Dual-Core+G550+Box%2C+LGA1155.article

Total €194.13 (20 Shipping)

Build 2
Case http://www.amazon.co.uk/CiT-Slim-Micro-Tower-Reader/dp/tech-data/B0064LDJ7U/ref=de_a_smtd
Mobo http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asrock-Socket-A75M-HVS-Micro-Atx-Motherboard/dp/B0058HBO46/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356015771&sr=1-1
CPU http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-A-Series-Quad-Core-Processor-Warranty/dp/B006J420T0/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356016305&sr=1-2
Ram http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-1333MHz-DDR3-Non-ECC-Memory/dp/B002K23V1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356019482&sr=1-1

Total €190.37 (All have free shipping except ram 4.99 gbp)

Which would be faster/better for HTPC?

Monotype

Wrong RAM on the first build - that's for laptops.

What about an FM2 board and a 5400K?

multimate

Monotype wrote: »

Wrong RAM on the first build - that's for laptops.

What about an FM2 board and a 5400K?

Would this be ok http://lb.hardwareversand.de/1333+Low+Voltage/66605/4GB+G.Skill+PC3-10667U+CL9.article

If fm2 MOBO http://lb.hardwareversand.de/DDR3/66844/MSI+FM2-A55M-E33%2C+Sockel+FM2%2C+mATX.article

CPU http://lb.hardwareversand.de/Socket+FM2/66806/AMD+A6+5400K+Black+Edition+mit+AMD+Radeon+HD+7540D+Grafikeinheit%2C+Box%2C+FM2.article
But this CPU on gets mark of 2187 whereas the 3670 got 3421

By the way the K-type (I think this means overclocking possible) isn't neccesary as I wont be OC'ing
Thanks

100W quad-core for a playback-only HTPC is overkill. You want something that runs as cool as possible to minimise fan noise.

Monotype

I just said the "K" one anyway as the price difference is usually negligible or sometimes actually worse because of higher demand for K products (which allows them to sell at higher discount).
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If it's a small PC that you're after, you'd want to stick with the mini-ITX size. E.g., this:
http://lb.hardwareversand.de/DDR3/70781/ASRock+FM2A75M-ITX%2C+FM2%2C+ITX.article

FM2 is newer technology. I wouldn't base everything on CPU benchmarks as they don't always tell the full story. However, the older CPU has got 4 cores which outweighs the two newer cores. Graphics capabilities should be a bit improved though.

multimate

Monotype wrote: »

I just said the "K" one anyway as the price difference is usually negligible or sometimes actually worse because of higher demand for K products (which allows them to sell at higher discount).
-
If it's a small PC that you're after, you'd want to stick with the mini-ITX size. E.g., this:
http://lb.hardwareversand.de/DDR3/70781/ASRock+FM2A75M-ITX%2C+FM2%2C+ITX.article

FM2 is newer technology. I wouldn't base everything on CPU benchmarks as they don't always tell the full story. However, the older CPU has got 4 cores which outweighs the two newer cores. Graphics capabilities should be a bit improved though.

The mATX case that I posted is about the same size as equivelant price mITX, so I don't really mind which form factor - I'd say max size 38 (W) x 39(D) x 9 (H)

What about the Celeron Build - how would that compare to the AMD a6 series

multimate

Deleted User wrote: »

100W quad-core for a playback-only HTPC is overkill. You want something that runs as cool as possible to minimise fan noise.

I'll be putting in HDD and maybe SSD aswell and maybe using it to stream to tablet (plex) but what would power would you recommend?

multimate

multimate wrote: »

I'll be putting in HDD and maybe SSD aswell and maybe using it to stream to tablet (plex) but what would power would you recommend?

Well see if you're using it as a transcoding server then you probably do need power. That's why I said playback-only. It probably would have been better to give all your requirements in the first post.

But personally I wouldn't put a transcoding server under my TV, it'll be too noisy and distracting to people watching TV. I try to keep HTPC as simple and quiet as possible and put your server in another room. That's just my preference, YMMV.

multimate

Deleted User wrote: »

100W quad-core for a playback-only HTPC is overkill. You want something that runs as cool as possible to minimise fan noise.

Deleted User wrote: »

Well see if you're using it as a transcoding server then you probably do need power. That's why I said playback-only. It probably would have been better to give all your requirements in the first post.

But personally I wouldn't put a transcoding server under my TV, it'll be too noisy and distracting to people watching TV. I try to keep HTPC as simple and quiet as possible and put your server in another room. That's just my preference, YMMV.

If it's going to be like that then I'll leave it - it was just a thought!
Thanks

multimate

Lebump

Monotype

The A6 should have an advantage in graphics power and CPU power on account of the higher clock speed. If I recall correctly, power consumption is much the same at idle and on HD video playback, but the AMD will consume more on full load, but that's to be expected with the higher clocks and more advanced graphics. This is the FM2 one I'm talking about.

As to whether you need it for 1080p video - either will be fine. I had a similar setup recently but got tired of a few issues so I'm switching to an AMD build for a HTPC now. It should expand its capabilities a bit, but the core needs are the same - to play videos smoothly, seek fast and work quietly.