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Help me build a htpc

MarkR · 2011-08-08 09:26:56

I've built computers before, but not for a while. Be gentle. I want to build a small htpc around the ASUS E35M1-Deluxe. Nice and quiet seemingly. I already have a 2TB USB drive which I've been using with a WDTV. I think when my new one is set up this will be my storage drive. So far I've tentatively selected Total build…

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08-08-2011 10:26am

#1

MarkR

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I've built computers before, but not for a while. Be gentle.

I want to build a small htpc around the ASUS E35M1-Deluxe. Nice and quiet seemingly.

I already have a 2TB USB drive which I've been using with a WDTV. I think when my new one is set up this will be my storage drive.

So far I've tentatively selected

Total build cost: €147.68 + €30 shipping
ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE, integrierte AMD E-350, Mini-ITX €129.33
4GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3-10667U CL9 €18.35

I would like to have a bluray drive, as I don't have a bluray player in the sitting room.

It will be used mostly for downloading torrents. Don't think I'll even be surfing the web on it, as I've a laptop.

Any suggestions on a case?

Do I need a 2.5 or 3.5 hard drive?

Do I really need an ssd drive? (I'm thinking no, but I'm not sure)

Can I fit a full size optical drive?

I'd like to try to get everything in one place if possible.

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#2 08-08-2011 10:34am
deconduo

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Something like this maybe:

Total build cost: €360.76 + €30 shipping
Silverstone SST-SG05B Sugo inkl. 300W Netzteil - schwarz mini-ITX €79.55
LG CT30N Blu-Ray Combo €74.49
ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE, integrierte AMD E-350, Mini-ITX €129.33
4GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3-10667U CL9 €18.35
Samsung EcoGreen F4 2000GB, SATA II (HD204UI) 8,9cm (3,5") €59.04

For that case you need a slim optical drive but it does take 3.5'' HDs. You could save a bit of money by getting a different case that takes normal optical drives.

You don't really need an ssd

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#3 08-08-2011 10:48am
MarkR

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Thanks, I was hoping for something a little less boxy.

Total build cost: €281.21 + €30 shipping
ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE, integrierte AMD E-350, Mini-ITX €129.33
4GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3-10667U CL9 €18.35
Samsung EcoGreen F4 2000GB, SATA II (HD204UI) 8,9cm (3,5") €59.04
LG CT30N Blu-Ray Combo €74.49

Would this case allow for a 3.5 hard drive and a slim bluray?

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#4 08-08-2011 11:01am
deconduo

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MarkR wrote: »

Thanks, I was hoping for something a little less boxy.

Total build cost: €281.21 + €30 shipping
ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE, integrierte AMD E-350, Mini-ITX €129.33
4GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3-10667U CL9 €18.35
Samsung EcoGreen F4 2000GB, SATA II (HD204UI) 8,9cm (3,5") €59.04
LG CT30N Blu-Ray Combo €74.49

Would this case allow for a 3.5 hard drive and a slim bluray?

Yeah, but I wouldn't trust the PSU on it at all. There doesn't seem to be a lot of 'flat' cases that I can see that aren't too expensive.

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#5 08-08-2011 12:42pm
MarkR

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Total build cost: €335.26 + €30 shipping
ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE, integrierte AMD E-350, Mini-ITX €129.33
4GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3-10667U CL9 €18.35
Samsung EcoGreen F4 2000GB, SATA II (HD204UI) 8,9cm (3,5") €59.04
LG CT30N Blu-Ray Combo €74.49
JCP Mini-ITX Gehäuse, 60W ext. PSU, schwarz €54.05

I've been googling cases, and it seems most of the work had already been done in another thread

Someone there has a pretty much identical setup and seems happy with it.

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#6 13-08-2011 9:17am
MarkR

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Ordered my gear on thursday, it left germany yesterday. Think I'll be putting on linux mint with xbmc.

Think I'll need a tidy wireless keyboard. Seems to be the best option for xbmc.

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#7 13-08-2011 12:37pm
Tea_Bag

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MarkR wrote: »

Ordered my gear on thursday, it left germany yesterday. Think I'll be putting on linux mint with xbmc.

Think I'll need a tidy wireless keyboard. Seems to be the best option for xbmc.

do you have an Android phone?

I was in the market for a HTPC keyboard mouse combo and remembered I used to use my phone as a mouse years ago. gave it another go with "unified remote control" app and my god android developers have come a long way. its perfect and I can't see how a full keyboard could be any better.

edit; and its free!

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#8 13-08-2011 7:38pm
MarkR

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Tea_Bag wrote: »

do you have an Android phone?

I was in the market for a HTPC keyboard mouse combo and remembered I used to use my phone as a mouse years ago. gave it another go with "unified remote control" app and my god android developers have come a long way. its perfect and I can't see how a full keyboard could be any better.

edit; and its free!

A Nexus S. Thanks.

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#9 13-08-2011 8:40pm
Tea_Bag

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MarkR wrote: »

A Nexus S. Thanks.

perfect. setup takes 2 min and your up and running without a hitch.
spend another 30 seconds setting up a "priority remotes" setting and with a click in the top corner of your screen you can choose what remote you want to use.

i use "basic input" (mouse trackpad and if you press menu you get a full keyboard), "youtube remote" (volume controlls skip etc) and WMP/VLC remote (same thing)

only problem i have is "wake on lan" isnt working, but i think my motherboard probably doesnt support it.

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#10 14-08-2011 10:54am
MarkR

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Windows only? Was planning on linux.

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#11 14-08-2011 11:52am
Tea_Bag

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MarkR wrote: »

Windows only? Was planning on linux.

**** I thought I saw Linux option in the server download, but turns out that was for gmote. I only tried gmote for a short time but I found it to be meh. give it a go anyway I suppose.

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