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Thread: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

  1. #1
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    Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    I'll try to keep this short.

    My Uncle has decided to replace his old rear projection big screen TV with one of these. He likes the idea of streaming Netflix to the Vizio as well as my collection of vids on the server. My intent is to convince him he needs a dedicated HTPC. If he goes for it that will give the team another cruncher

    Questions:

    *Does anyone have an old (preferably non-functional) mono or stereo audio amp? Not a receiver, just an amplifier with a simple face, something like this one? (I have that same amp but mine works ) I want to use the amp case to build the HTPC. Cost for HTPC cases are ridiculously high. Oh, almost forgot, the amp needs to be at least 5.25" H x 17.5" W x 13.25" D.

    *With CPU cost/performance being paramount should I go Sandy Bridge, Fusion APU or discrete CPU/GPU setup? Preferably quad core.

    More info:

    The OS will be Linux.
    I will probably use XMBC w/ Aeon Skin for the HTPC app.
    I will use my Tuniq PSU for the HTPC having already replaced it with a used OCZ in my server (Blackie).
    All other hardware picks depend on CPU cost, of course, but HDD will be 2.5" and I will likely go with Gigabyte for the MB.

    Future upgrades (keeping fingers crossed) will include a NAS unit like one of Netgear's ReadyNAS systems.


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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Hmmmmm, OK.

    I think it will be cheaper to fab my own case. Found a couple of suppliers for the aluminum face plate and other materials at reasonable prices. Need to reinstall AutoCAD so I can flush out my design ideas. Then see if I can export them to Blender for photorealistic rendering.

    As for the CPU, it looks like it is going to be the AMD Llano A8-3850 APU which has the HD 6550 Mobility GPU. Performance wise the A8-3850 compares favorably to i5-2310~i5-2400 Sandy Bridge in CPU power but blows Sandy Bridge out of the water in GPU power. An added bonus is that you can crunch with the 6550 albeit only on projects that have single precision apps. Still for approx $138.00 it is a very viable alternative to Intel's offerings.

    For motherboards these are the ones I'm considering: GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V - Asus F1A75-M LE - Biostar TA75M+ and the MSI A75MA-G55.

    Memory will be 4GBs of Corsair RAM and HDDs will be something like the Seagate ST980813AS 80GB and the Seagate Momentus 7200.4 ST9250410AS.


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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Rough draft of my first design concept.



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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    looks nice make me one too


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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Starting working on the the interior layout.



    Quote Originally Posted by John P. Myers View Post
    looks nice make me one too
    Sorry but this one is a One Off. No dups.


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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Add one of these. Who couldn't use 38,000 days worth of movies in their HTPC?


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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Got bored so I did some more work on my HTPC idea.



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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Since it's an HTPC, wouldn't you want larger fans to keep the noise down?

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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Quote Originally Posted by spingadus View Post
    Since it's an HTPC, wouldn't you want larger fans to keep the noise down?
    Those are 120mm fans in front. I am considering using Scythe SY1225SL12SL fans for intake. Those are about as quiet as you can get.


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    Re: Trying to finagle another one, Pproject-003

    Quote Originally Posted by Fire$torm View Post
    Those are 120mm fans in front. I am considering using Scythe SY1225SL12SL fans for intake. Those are about as quiet as you can get.
    Ah, k. I couldn't tell size just by looking at it.

    What are you planning for the outtake fan? 200mm? 240mm on top?

    This is pretty cool seeing it being designed.

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