HTPC Building Guide - Part 1
Introduction
I'll declare now, I am a Windows man and have never used Linux. It may be that there are far better Linux software solutions for some of the things I describe that I have omitted.
Key Considerations
Your IT Nonce
Before you commence on an HTPC build, you need to assess your IT nonce. If you are not familiar with building PC's, trawling forums for answers to problems, reading reviews, general troubleshooting etc then you may be better off purchasing a pre-built HTPC (Nettop). These are generally fit for purpose for most people and will generally do the job of running a HTPC media player/library client such as XBMC and streaming information from a NAS (Network Attached Storage). They are very low power consumption and quiet.
Here are some examples of some generally well reviewed HTPC's:
The compromise is that their processors are generally Intel Atom based meaning low powered. Therefore, gaming is a no-no. Due to their very small form factor they have limited upgrade options. Lastly, they often don't have operating systems pre-installed and although they are capable of running Windows, they can generally feel sluggish to use.
If you are still reading, my assumption is that you want an HTPC that can also be used for other tasks, perhaps moderate gaming, Microsoft Office etc.
Size
When building an HTPC, size will be a key consideration. You could build your PC around a various motherboard choices which would fit in the following cases:
Mini-ITX
If you want the smallest possible, most discrete HTPC, the mini-ITX form factor is the solution for you. As the below comparison image shows, it is significantly smaller than the mATX and ATX form factors. If you go this route, you'll need a mini-ITX compatible case (see above link). The disadvantage of mini-ITX is that due to its size, it can only hold a limited number of features and components. For example, fewer expansion slots (typically no PCI-Express x 16 slot for example), fewer SATA ports, USB ports, RAM slots etc. You'll need to assess these limitations on a board by board basis.
Micro-ATX
Typically mATX form factor motherboards have all of the functions and abilities of a full ATX motherboard. The disadvantage is that you need to spend slightly more than an ATX board for the privilege. I believe mATX is the best compromise for an HTPC since it is still possible to have a stylish HTPC case but with more future potential and upgrade paths.
ATX
At this time, I do not see any reason to recommend a full ATX board for an HTPC build, especially if you are specifically sourcing components.
Heat, Noise & Cooling
An HTPC will generally sit in your main living home either under or behind your TV. One of the last things you want is to be playing a film/movie and having to put up with the constant fan noise coming from your much loved HTPC. Therefore, consider the following when specifying your build components.
The Processor (CPU) and Cooler
There is a temptation when specifying HTPC components to go for the biggest and most powerful component range that you can afford. This was a mistake that I made with my HTPC build. I wanted a build that was powerful enough to steam HD content and play occasional games. As I result, I picked the AMD A8-3870K CPU as my processor which has a TDP (Thermal Dissipation Value) of 100W. I'll get on to recommended HTPC builds in a later section but suffice to say, a 100W TDP is on the high side and requires plenty of cooling. The stock cooler that came with the CPU did the job but is loud and so needed replacing which cost me a further £30 as the replacement cooler needed to fit in my HTPC case. Whilst this isn't the end of the world, it's a consideration that I should have made when specifying the build components.
A low Thermal Design Power TDP CPU will generate less heat thus require less cooling – so <65W is ideal. 95W is the maximum TDP that you would want to cool quietly.
Here are some typical HTPC CPU's and their TDP to consider:
TDP 65W: AMD A6-3500 3x2.1Ghz/2.4Ghz HD6530D FM1
TDP 65W: Intel Core I3-2105 Dual-Core 3.1GHz LGA1155
So why would anyone go for a higher TDP chip. Well, put simply, with the A8-3870K above, it is quad core and has a built in GPU capable of playing most current games on medium settings. The Intel's built in graphics aren't up to much and so you'd need a discrete (separate) graphics card as well.
Therefore, if you do decide to go for a higher TDP CPU, be prepared to need to spend a little more on an after market CPU cooler if you want near silent operation since the stock coolers are typically noisy.
The Case and Power Supply (PSU)
Another key HTPC consideration needs to be the case and PSU. It is tempting to put as much money as possible in to key components such as the motherboard and processor but scrimp as much as possible on the case. Unfortunately, you typically get what you pay for which could be a loud PSU, a case with poor air flow cooling or loud case fans. The PSU is the key consideration here since it has it's own fan and so try and find a PSU that has low noise levels.
The other option to consider is how you will control your HTPC. Most people tend to want to use an IR remote, perhaps a Harmony Remote. Therefore you need to consider an IR receiver. The best solution is naturally a case with an IR receiver built in but a workaround is to purchase a USB IR receiver and plug it in to your HTPC. However, that can spoil the aesthetic. To highlight the range cases available, consider these two examples:
Novatech Vision Media Centre Case - £49.99
Antec Fusion Remote Desktop Case - Black £122.80
Both come with a remote control and built in IR receiver. The Novatech Vision comes with a PSU which is noisy whereas the Antec doesn't and so would need further spend to purchase one which would likely bring the price to £150. Is the Antec 3x better the the Novatech Vision as the price suggests? Does the better cooling and likely better silent operation warrant the extra spend? These are considerations that only you will know the answer to.
Budget: AMD A4-3400 Llano APU
Value: Intel Core i3 processor 2105
Performance: Intel Core i5-2500K
The other option to consider is how you will control your HTPC. Most people tend to want to use an IR remote, perhaps a Harmony Remote. Therefore you need to consider an IR receiver. The best solution is naturally a case with an IR receiver built in but a workaround is to purchase a USB IR receiver and plug it in to your HTPC. However, that can spoil the aesthetic. To highlight the range cases available, consider these two examples:
Novatech Vision Media Centre Case - £49.99
Antec Fusion Remote Desktop Case - Black £122.80
Both come with a remote control and built in IR receiver. The Novatech Vision comes with a PSU which is noisy whereas the Antec doesn't and so would need further spend to purchase one which would likely bring the price to £150. Is the Antec 3x better the the Novatech Vision as the price suggests? Does the better cooling and likely better silent operation warrant the extra spend? These are considerations that only you will know the answer to.
Graphics Potential
If you want your HTPC to be able to comfortably stream HD content, I'd suggest you don't look at the Intel Atom generation of processors. They are known to be a little gutless and I think you'd regret the purchase in the long run unless you were looking for the complete basics.
The following processors are an excellent choice and are all capable of HD Playback:
Value: Intel Core i3 processor 2105
Performance: Intel Core i5-2500K
