Time to spec another PC! HTPC this time...

irisandalex

Following the fantastic assistance I received last year when speccing my new work PC, it's time for a new build!

This will be a media centre PC, running Windows 7. Usage will be primarily for TV recording and playback, plus other media streaming. No gaming.

First question is: what is the cheapest motherboard that supports these requirements:

• Dual monitor output, 1x digital & 1x VGA
• Digital sound output (optical or coax)

I think my needs are as simple as that for now, any size of motherboard is fine for the case I will use. I assume there's no point going for a separate graphics or sound card?

Thanks in advance!

irisandalex

I should have added, I have no strong preference between Intel and AMD processors.

Percy1983

Hi,

Glad to see you are back again, interestingly I have just finished a media PC build for myself so have put quite a lot of time into this.

I will be back later with more but firstly whats your budget, now you haven't mentioned it but I guess power usage is a consideration.

closed

Wouldn't a set top box suffice?

irisandalex

Percy1983 wrote: »

Hi,

Glad to see you are back again, interestingly I have just finished a media PC build for myself so have put quite a lot of time into this.

I will be back later with more but firstly whats your budget, now you haven't mentioned it but I guess power usage is a consideration.

Hi Percy, good to hear back from you!

As before, I don't have a budget, but considering that I'm just after digital outputs I don't think it's worth paying more than the minimum.... Performance wise I'm sure any motherboard/CPU combo will be more than adequate for my needs. This replacing an ancient computer I was using as a HTPC which almost still does the job!

Power usage definitely a consideration! You guessed correctly.

irisandalex

closed wrote: »

Wouldn't a set top box suffice?

A good one would meet most requirements, but that would cost much more than a self-build, considering I already have a suitable power supply, HDD, etc etc.

Percy1983

That was the next question what do you already have?

Oddly I am going to go AMD again, I really am not a fanboy honest.

Have a quick look at the AMD APUs, they are basically a cpu and gpu in one and offer excellent power usage.

As it is mine is on an A8-3870k, but I run 4 TV tuners and run extenders and a phone server so you might not need as much.

As for set top boxes, you can do a lot but you can't do as much as a HTPC.

irisandalex

Percy1983 wrote: »

That was the next question what do you already have?

Have a quick look at the AMD APUs, they are basically a cpu and gpu in one and offer excellent power usage.

As it is mine is on an A8-3870k, but I run 4 TV tuners and run extenders and a phone server so you might not need as much.

I don't have too much of use, as my TV card is non-HD. Pretty much just the HDD as far as box contents go. I might add a SSD for fast boot though.

My projector is only 720p and I don't play games, so will a GPU such as built into the AMD APUs offer anything over the most basic graphics on a montherboard?

What do you use your phone server for?

closed

TV recording/playback, media player, iplayer, usb storage access, quiet, low running costs, small footprint, all bread and butter stuff nowadays even for cheap stb's.

irisandalex

closed wrote: »

TV recording/playback, media player, iplayer, low running costs and footprint, all bread and butter stuff nowadays even for cheap stb's

I'm anticipating spending around £150 all in.....

closed

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pvr