Looking for opinions on HTPC replacement build\starting point.

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Looking for opinions on HTPC replacement build\starting point.

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andrewdixon1000

76 posts

Master Geek

#716227 13-Nov-2012 10:34

Hi sidefx,

I'm also looking at upgrading my HTPC computer. Currently looking at an NSK2408B and an i3 3220. Like you I want to be able to playback blu-ray 3D.

I've done a little bit of research on the 3D playback and from what I've read the ideal video card (in terms of 3D quality) is an nVidia 430GT or 630GT which are around the $100 mark. I would love to be able to do without a discrete card though, but so far I haven't been able to get a definitive answer as to whether the HD2500 in the i3 3220 can do 3D. Have you found any info on this?

Thanks
Andy

sidefx

3711 posts

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#716234 13-Nov-2012 10:52

I'm still trying to decide on best APU (I've pretty much decided APU is the way to go) I looked at the 3220 as an option but they seem to carry a fair price premium when compared to the AMD APUs. I believe that yes they can do 3D but didn't look into it too thoroughly due to the price so you'll want to confirm this.

I came to ultimate conclusion, perhaps incorrectly, that with Intel you're actually paying quite a bit extra for a far superior CPU (which for my usage doesn't seem as important) but an inferior GPU (which seems a bit more important)

So I'm leaning towards AMD currently. And locally it appears that a Llano APU + FM1 can be had cheap as chips which is why I'm looking at the combo above. Just trying to confirm that the A-3400 will do the 3D well.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

andrewdixon1000

76 posts

Master Geek

#716906 14-Nov-2012 10:53

I don't know much about the AMD APUs but I'd be keen to hear any 3D related info that you find out. If they can do the job they sound like a good option.

Thanks
Andy

sidefx: I'm still trying to decide on best APU (I've pretty much decided APU is the way to go) I looked at the 3220 as an option but they seem to carry a fair price premium when compared to the AMD APUs. I believe that yes they can do 3D but didn't look into it too thoroughly due to the price so you'll want to confirm this.

I came to ultimate conclusion, perhaps incorrectly, that with Intel you're actually paying quite a bit extra for a far superior CPU (which for my usage doesn't seem as important) but an inferior GPU (which seems a bit more important)

So I'm leaning towards AMD currently. And locally it appears that a Llano APU + FM1 can be had cheap as chips which is why I'm looking at the combo above. Just trying to confirm that the A-3400 will do the 3D well.

andrewdixon1000

76 posts

Master Geek

#719563 19-Nov-2012 15:35

I haven't been able to find anything official or concrete, but from what I've read the following AMD A-series chips have GPUs which can handle 3D decoding:

All Llano APUs
All Trinity APUs except for the A4 and A6 models

I'm leaning towards a Trinity A8 5600K so I can have 3D decoding in hardware and have and FM2 system for future upgradability. I would have like to go with the A8 5500 which is 65W as opposed to the 5600K which is 100W, but no one seems to sell them in NZ.

Obviously this info is 2nd hand and I can't be sure it's correct, but it seems to be the consensus out there.

Thanks
Andy

sidefx

3711 posts

Uber Geek

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#719754 19-Nov-2012 21:09

Well, I've got the initial components for my build except the APU. Just bought a Llano A6-3500 off trademe to complete it so should have that in hand soon I hope. Although won't be getting the actual bluray drive for a while (bluray drive + either PowerDVD or TMT5 adds a fair chunk of cash)

The helpful folk over at avsforum confirmed that all Llano parts can do 3D Bluray and one of them has apparently built a few systems with A4-3400s which work fine. For things like 2D-3D playback he recommended the A6-3500 which seems to be the real sweet spot for a HTPC.

The Llano's are little hard to find over here. The A4-3400 should work absolutely fine and they can be found online at a few places, but check stock before ordering - I ordered one from Alphacity with all the other components and they showed it as in stock on their website and then confirmed the order before coming back after payment went through and saying they were out of stock. A bit cheeky or maybe just a mistake but disappointing :-/ Still the A6 if you can find them seem to go reasonably cheap on trademe.

The Trinity parts look good, but only the A8, A10 does 3D apparently and I guess they're very new... so the price goes up pretty significantly. While I chose the Llano route you may also want to compare a Trinity build to a Celeron (G550 or 630 is more than enough) paired with HD6450 which apparently would also do the job fine. I preferred the APU route but Celeron apparently does well too. The i3 route I decided was just complete overkill.

I'll let you know how the build goes and when I get the Bluray drive + software ;-)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

davidcole

6029 posts

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#719755 19-Nov-2012 21:12

Oh that's weird. I'm sure I only built my liano Pvr about 4 months ago - maybe it was more.

And now just rebuilt a server with an a10. Pricing wasn't too bad.

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sidefx

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#719760 19-Nov-2012 21:20

The A8s look like they go for $150 just for the APU whereas an A4-3400 AND mobo with HDMI 1.4a can be had new for ~$135. Trinity mobos are more than the FM1s go for, so the difference adds up, and I was really aiming to do it on the cheap ;-)

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- Richard Feynman

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davidcole

6029 posts

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#719766 19-Nov-2012 21:22

I thought I did the liano based system (Pvr in my sig, mobo, memory and CPU) for about $380

sidefx

3711 posts

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#719843 19-Nov-2012 23:34

davidcole: I thought I did the liano based system (Pvr in my sig, mobo, memory and CPU) for about $380

Unless I'm missing something I don't see mobo, memory or CPU details in your sig :)

Hmm... actually A4-3400, FM1 mobo and 4GB memory is currently ~$165 new which I thought was pretty decent even if FM1 is dead end. I believe it'll do everything I want with breathing room (though as I say A4 was out of stock at my chosen retailer so now I have an A6-3500)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

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