Hi all,
I'm new here on the forums. I've been reading many posts about the hardware needed to buld a XBMC HTPC but I'm still unsure about what to buy. I don't know enough to make a good decision and that's why I'm asking your help.
I'd like to build a HTPC that would allow me to listen to HD movies and TV shows (1080p) that will be accessed from a media server through my network. I don't plan on gaming, not at all. Maybe I'll stream a little bit from Internet, but not that much. Moreover, I won't be using Netflix, so I don't need a Windows version. Ideally, my HTPC would be in a small form factor and totally quiet. It would connect to my TV through HDMI (for video) and through my audio tuner to provide 5.1 sound. I would like my system to be evolutive enough to allow me to watch 3D movies in the futur (but not now) by upgrading some hardware if necessary, but not all of it if possible. Finally, I would like for my HTPC to be a low consumption build as muh as possible.
Here are a few (ok, a lot!) questions regarding my project.
1. How much power supply would my HTPC need? Which brand/model is reliable and quiet?
2. For my purposes, is a GPU needed or is an onbord GPU is enough? What about the futur and 3D movies?
3. About GPU, I've read that sometimes Nvidia has problem with some fps and Linux. Is it still the case? Should I look more on ATI's side?
4 Also, is a Celeron CPU powerful enough for my needs? What about the futur and 3D movies? Would I be better with something more powerful like an i3 CPU?
5. I would like to listen to Blue-Rays with my HTPC. However, I read that this is somehow difficult with a Linux system. Is it possible to watch a Bluray from a Linux HTPC without ripping it before? If yes, how do I need to proceed?
6. What is the difference between cases like the SilverStone ML03B and the small ones from Foxcom or other companies? Is one type quieter than the other? Is one type pricier than the other? Is one hotter tha the other? I know it depends on the hardware inside, but is one type more oriented on powerful builds?
7. I don't really care about the heat, but I wouldn't want my system to be too hot as, I guess, this would make it louder (fan going on and everything). So, should I look more into a fanless system or is it possible to have quiet HTPC with a fan. In fact, would I need a fan at all considering the parts of my build (will it create enough heat to justify the need of a fan)?
8. What connection do I need from my HTPC to my audio tuner to get 5.1 sound?
9. I know sometimes it's possible to load an OS on a microSD card instead of on a HD. However, is a microSD card slower than a SDD?
10. Do I need to connect my HTPC with wires to my media server or is wireless access fast enough? I don't want any lagging while watching a movie or a TV show.
11. About my options for a LInux distribution to execute XBMC, it seems OpenElec is very popular over here; why s that? Is there other options?
12. Regarding my media server, it will also serve as a NAS (I will do my backups on this server and I will access to my files through this server, both, from my network and from outside via a cloud service). I was wondering what kind of HD you suggest me to put in. I've know the WD Green series since a long time, but now with the Red series, I'm not sure. What's the benefit of the Red series over the green one regarding a NAS. Also, I heard there might be a problem with the head parking reducing the lifetime. Is it widespread? What causes this problem and is it possible to avoid it? How long of a lifetime is reduced by this issue? Also, would 5400 rpm be good or would I be better with 7200 rpm Hds?
Thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate it. As I said, I'm new to the world of HTPC and I want to build a nice system. However, I don't have the full knowledge to achieve that. That's why your help is needed.
Blaccko
P.-S. I'm in Canada.
I'm new here on the forums. I've been reading many posts about the hardware needed to buld a XBMC HTPC but I'm still unsure about what to buy. I don't know enough to make a good decision and that's why I'm asking your help.
I'd like to build a HTPC that would allow me to listen to HD movies and TV shows (1080p) that will be accessed from a media server through my network. I don't plan on gaming, not at all. Maybe I'll stream a little bit from Internet, but not that much. Moreover, I won't be using Netflix, so I don't need a Windows version. Ideally, my HTPC would be in a small form factor and totally quiet. It would connect to my TV through HDMI (for video) and through my audio tuner to provide 5.1 sound. I would like my system to be evolutive enough to allow me to watch 3D movies in the futur (but not now) by upgrading some hardware if necessary, but not all of it if possible. Finally, I would like for my HTPC to be a low consumption build as muh as possible.
Here are a few (ok, a lot!) questions regarding my project.
1. How much power supply would my HTPC need? Which brand/model is reliable and quiet?
2. For my purposes, is a GPU needed or is an onbord GPU is enough? What about the futur and 3D movies?
3. About GPU, I've read that sometimes Nvidia has problem with some fps and Linux. Is it still the case? Should I look more on ATI's side?
4 Also, is a Celeron CPU powerful enough for my needs? What about the futur and 3D movies? Would I be better with something more powerful like an i3 CPU?
5. I would like to listen to Blue-Rays with my HTPC. However, I read that this is somehow difficult with a Linux system. Is it possible to watch a Bluray from a Linux HTPC without ripping it before? If yes, how do I need to proceed?
6. What is the difference between cases like the SilverStone ML03B and the small ones from Foxcom or other companies? Is one type quieter than the other? Is one type pricier than the other? Is one hotter tha the other? I know it depends on the hardware inside, but is one type more oriented on powerful builds?
7. I don't really care about the heat, but I wouldn't want my system to be too hot as, I guess, this would make it louder (fan going on and everything). So, should I look more into a fanless system or is it possible to have quiet HTPC with a fan. In fact, would I need a fan at all considering the parts of my build (will it create enough heat to justify the need of a fan)?
8. What connection do I need from my HTPC to my audio tuner to get 5.1 sound?
9. I know sometimes it's possible to load an OS on a microSD card instead of on a HD. However, is a microSD card slower than a SDD?
10. Do I need to connect my HTPC with wires to my media server or is wireless access fast enough? I don't want any lagging while watching a movie or a TV show.
11. About my options for a LInux distribution to execute XBMC, it seems OpenElec is very popular over here; why s that? Is there other options?
12. Regarding my media server, it will also serve as a NAS (I will do my backups on this server and I will access to my files through this server, both, from my network and from outside via a cloud service). I was wondering what kind of HD you suggest me to put in. I've know the WD Green series since a long time, but now with the Red series, I'm not sure. What's the benefit of the Red series over the green one regarding a NAS. Also, I heard there might be a problem with the head parking reducing the lifetime. Is it widespread? What causes this problem and is it possible to avoid it? How long of a lifetime is reduced by this issue? Also, would 5400 rpm be good or would I be better with 7200 rpm Hds?
Thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate it. As I said, I'm new to the world of HTPC and I want to build a nice system. However, I don't have the full knowledge to achieve that. That's why your help is needed.
Blaccko
P.-S. I'm in Canada.