New HTPC build (Wesena ITX2 case)

ashmanq · 4 Sep 2011 at 13:15

Im building myself a new HTPC for the living room and am set on using the Wesena ITX2 case (in black).

I'll be using it to play bluerays and DVDs and for web surfing/light pc use with maybe the occasional go at gaming.

Any ideas on what motherboard/CPU I should go for? I want something that can play blue rays with ease with a little oomph. The case is quite restrictive so integrated graphics is probably the only option.

Thanks in advance.

Ashmanq

munz · 4 Sep 2011 at 13:24

i3 + h67 mitx

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 4 Sep 2011 at 13:44

The 65W A8-3800 is worth considering:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-a83800-llano-processor-review/

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-a8-3800.html

It has a 400 shader IGP which is a tad slower than an HD5570 DDR3 graphics card. It can run Far Cry 2 and Resident Evil 5 on high settings under DX9 at 1600X1200 at over 30FPS. It can run DiRT3 under DX11 using high quality settings at 1920x1080 at around 29FPS. It will run L4D2 at 1920X1080 on maximum settings at around 29FPS.

I would look at the ASRock A75M-ITX mini-ITX motherboard which costs around £75:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=A75M-ITX

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 4 Sep 2011 at 14:37

A 150W PicoPSU is fine for powering a system based on the 100W A8-3850:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=19879345&postcount=13

A 120W PicoPSU should be fine for the 65W A8-3800 and look at the Guru3D review the entire system with an SSD consumed under 90W under load.

ashmanq · 5 Sep 2011 at 15:37

CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
The 65W A8-3800 is worth considering:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-a83800-llano-processor-review/

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-a8-3800.html

It has a 400 shader IGP which is a tad slower than an HD5570 DDR3 graphics card. It can run Far Cry 2 and Resident Evil 5 on high settings under DX9 at 1600X1200 at over 30FPS. It can run DiRT3 under DX11 using high quality settings at 1920x1080 at around 29FPS. It will run L4D2 at 1920X1080 on maximum settings at around 29FPS.

I would look at the ASRock A75M-ITX mini-ITX motherboard which costs around £75:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=A75M-ITX

How would this compare to an intel core i5 setup with hd3000, CPU/graphics power wise?

Venares · 5 Sep 2011 at 16:51

Your pretty much restricted to an on-board CPU with that case, so Atom/ION or Zacate.
Either of thoese two platforms has more then enough power to do what you want and can be easily driven from a 120w PICO.

For IR remote I recomend the mCubed HFX 600 kits.
They come with a pretty decent RC6 remote and an external receiver that can be dismantled and fixed internaly in the Wesena cases.

My build here which is an i3 system with GT430 uses approx. 50 watts.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 5 Sep 2011 at 17:38

ashmanq said:
How would this compare to an intel core i5 setup with hd3000, CPU/graphics power wise?

Look at the articles. They compare the A8-3800 with both the Core i3 2105 and Core i5 2500k which have HD3000 IGPs. The Core i5 2500k is significantly more powerful when it comes to the CPU but is a 95W TDP CPU. The case you mentioned is quite cramped and I would go for a 65W TDP CPU. However the 65W Core i5 2400s and 2500s have slower HD2000 IGPs.

My Core i3 2100 has a 65w TDP and I use it in a cramped modified Shuttle case. A higher TDP CPU would be hard to cool in the case.

The HD6550D IGP in the A8-3800 is twice as fast as the HD3000 IGP. To put this in context many relatively modern games which are playable on the HD6550D IGP at 1920x1080 are barely playable on the HD3000 IGP at 1024x768!

There is also this mini-ITX motherboard being released by Asus for around 100 to 110 quid:
http://techinstyle.tv/products/the-asus-f1a75-i-deluxe-mini-itx-motherboard/

It comes with a mini-keyboard and a built-in wireless card.

ashmanq · 5 Sep 2011 at 22:33

You've just about convinced me. That ASus motherboard is awesome. I just wish it was out now and that overclockers sold the a8 3800

Actually I can't seem to find anyone who's selling the A8 3800. My google searching powers fail me.

Oh one other thing. Can I connect an msata ssd (mini pci-express) to a pci-e x16 slot?

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 5 Sep 2011 at 23:31

ashmanq said:
You've just about convinced me. That ASus motherboard is awesome. I just wish it was out now and that overclockers sold the a8 3800

Actually I can't seem to find anyone who's selling the A8 3800. My google searching powers fail me.

Oh one other thing. Can I connect an msata ssd (mini pci-express) to a pci-e x16 slot?

The A8-3800 has started to appear on pre-order on some websites for around £100 to £110. I would give it a few weeks for the motherboard and CPU to enter retail.

You will need an adaptor to fit an mSATA SSD to a PCI-E slot.

ashmanq · 13 Oct 2011 at 13:27

I just want to say that waiting for the A8-3800 has been a pain in the backside. No one seems to have it in stock and when I did place on order for a store to order it in they told me that it has been discontinued!!! So I tried going for the A6-3600 but even they are more rare than gold dust.

Why oh WHY did I buy an FM1 motherboard???

Rant over.

Question, would I get away with an underclocked AMD A8-3850? Bearing in mind that Im using the Wesena ITX-2 case which is tiny and has crap air flow. Also will a 150W MicroPSU be able to power it and an SSD and a Blue Ray drive?

ashmanq · 13 Oct 2011 at 14:07

Well Ive ordered the A8-3850 due to impatience, anyone know about undervolting?