Ultra SFF HTPC - Smallest PC I've Ever Built

[newtekie1]

can your machine play 16GB to 25GB movie file ? With all forwards option , I mean can it switch to next time in movie...?

I'll try, I just need to get a movie file that big first.

 

[michael]

I'll try, I just need to get a movie file that big first.

Please excuse me for asking lot of queries . But which NUC model matches your system? and which takes lowest watts comparatively ....?

Thanks a lot.

 

[newtekie1]

Can the GPU in that processor handle 1080p output smoothly? Can it decode BluRay smoothly?

can your machine play 16GB to 25GB movie file ? With all forwards option , I mean can it switch to next time in movie...?

I ripped a Blu-Ray and it was able to play it no problem. Average CPU load was 5-15%, this is with the CPU underclocked to 1.3GHz. Fast forwarding at up to 32x worked fine.

Interestingly, the i3-3217U in my laptop was loaded 15-25% playing the same movie.

Please excuse me for asking lot of queries . But which NUC model matches your system? and which takes lowest watts comparatively ....?

Thanks a lot.

No idea, when I priced out NUC models they were all more expensive than the PC I built, all required more expensive laptop memory, and most required a mSATA SSD which is also more expensive. At this point, power consumption is a pretty useless thing to care about. Even if you manage to find a system that only uses half the wattage, you might save $1 on your power bill each month. It isn't worth even worrying about it at this point.

 

[stinger608]

That is just bad a$$$$$$$$$ Tekie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You da man, man.

 

[newtekie1]

Ok, so the super bright blue LED power button was annoying the crap out of me and the wife(this is in our bedroom, and we like to fall asleep while watching things using the PC). The LED was so bright that when Windows decided to wake the computer to do updates at 3AM, it was bright enough to wake me up. Anyway, so I did a simple trick to dim the LED, I covered it with a strip of duct tape with a small slit cut in it. The slit lets just enough light from the LED through to light up the power button and let me know the computer is on, but it no longer lights up the whole room.

 

[michael]

Your machine is really good. But I have one questions, this case does not seem to be using that PCI E slot..? so how can we use wifi adapter in there ?
so I guess this case is also fine. compared to yours? what say..?

secondly would you please suggest me some USB powered wifi ?

or is there any HTPC case which can accumulate wifi adapter comfortably..?

 

[newtekie1]

With the case I used, you'd pretty much have to use USB Wifi. There are bigger cases that allow you to use the PCI-E slot.

If you are looking for a good USB Wifi adapter, I'd recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166103

 

[michael]

With the case I used, you'd pretty much have to use USB Wifi. There are bigger cases that allow you to use the PCI-E slot.

If you are looking for a good USB Wifi adapter, I'd recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166103

Thanks for showing me something which supports windows 8 OS.

however as usual it costing me $71....

Which cases you had in mind while building this HTPC..? Which case you felt better than your current one...?

Thanks.

 

[newtekie1]

I didn't really look at other cases. I saw this case and knew I wanted to build a system in it.

I have built other HTPC computers for people using these cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108396

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154093

 

[michael]

I didn't really look at other cases. I saw this case and knew I wanted to build a system in it.

I have built other HTPC computers for people using these cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108396

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154093

your case looks good as compared to those on newegg.

 

[de.das.dude]

cute :3

hey its also good enough for indie games with friends~

 

[newtekie1]

cute :3

hey its also good enough for indie games with friends~

The wife has already commandeered it to play her hidden object games.

 

[xBruce88x]

 

[mrsdnf]

I love your build. It makes my HTPC look like a 30 story block of flats. Well done.

 

[michael]

I love your build. It makes my HTPC look like a 30 story block of flats. Well done.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

@newtekie1 , do you think the Sempron 2650 is strong enough?
Deal at Frys
MSI AM1I
Antec ISK110
Sempron 2650
$70 after MIR!

 

[Bo$$]

@newtekie1 , do you think the Sempron 2650 is strong enough?
Deal at Frys
MSI AM1I
Antec ISK110
Sempron 2650
$70 after MIR!

Should be totally fine for 720p, it might struggle with 1080p. seems like a great price, can drop in a new CPU for not a lot more

 

[thebluebumblebee]

can drop in a new CPU for not a lot more

The motherboard and CPU are essentially free anyway!

 

[newtekie1]

@newtekie1 , do you think the Sempron 2650 is strong enough?
Deal at Frys
MSI AM1I
Antec ISK110
Sempron 2650
$70 after MIR!

I would say I'd be fine for up to 1080p. The GPU portion is the same as the Athlon 5350 I used, just clocked 200MHz slower. And I underclocked my 5350 to 1.3GHz so the 2650 is actually clocked slightly higher. Yes, it only has 2 cores, but for video decoding it really only uses 1 core anyway(and mainly uses the GPU actually).

 

[Jetster]

If your going AM1 then get a athlon. And watch the pins they bend easy