XBMC Hardware Challenge | October 2012

Revised off eskro's group theory, the most fully loaded HTPC will support the following perfectly:

- DVD and Blu-ray 1080p optical media
- 720p
- 720p 3D
- HD Audio
- 1080p
- 1080p 3D
- Hulu 1080p
- Netflix 1080p (Windows only)

Please feel free to suggest what I might be missing. Does Hulu or Netflix offer 3D yet? My goal is to have clearly defined HTPC functions. As far as playback quality is concerned, it sounds like streaming Hulu or Netflix in 1080p is the ultimate stress test for an HTPC.

Based off this month's technology and prices, here is my attempt at building the most cost effective solution for accomplishing the above. Whoever can achieve the same thing with cheaper hardware gets a cookie. The only hardware this thread will focus on is the CPU/GPU, mobo, RAM, and PSU. The other components are too personal or irrelevant to the core purpose and will discourage thread participation since nobody has time to spec out a complete system.

Option 1: Extreme

CPU: Intel i3-3225 $144
Chosen because it's the cheapest CPU with new Intel HD 4000 graphics. Overkill?

MOBO: ASRock H77M-ITX $107
HDMI: Yes
7.1 HD Audio: Yes

RAM: Pareema 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) $18
Chosen because cheapest available.

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 $29 AR
Chosen for seemingly quality and value.

Option 2: Mainstream

- DVD and Blu-ray 1080p optical media
- 720p
x NO 720p 3D
- HD Audio
x NO 1080p
x NO 1080p 3D
x NO Hulu 1080p
x NO Netflix 1080p (Windows only)

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 Sandy Bridge $70
Chosen because it's the cheapest CPU with Intel HD 2000 graphics.

MOBO ITX: ASRock H77M-ITX $107
HDMI: Yes
7.1 HD Audio: Yes

RAM: Pareema 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) $18
Chosen because cheapest available.

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 $29 AR
Chosen for seemingly quality and value.