I have an AMD A6-3500 and a ASUS F1A55-M (micro-ATX) motherboard that I want to repurpose for use in a HTPC in my bedroom. I also have a SSD and some RAM lying around to use for this project. There will be no optical drive. I want it to be a quiet as possible, but I only want to spend around $150 on the case/psu/heatsink. Unfortunately, the budget constraint rules out HDPlex and Streacom options. I also want something that doesn't look terrible sitting on a bedroom dresser (which rules out towers). This HTPC will only play movies and tv shows (no games or emulators) which are stored on a NAS, so I have the option of undervolting and underclocking the CPU.
I'm leaning toward a Pico PSU, but finding a micro-ATX case that supports them seems problematic. I'm sure there must be some out there, but I haven't been able to find them.
Seeking bedroom HTPC recommendations
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Re: Seeking bedroom HTPC recommendations
Welcome to SPCR.
Since you are limited by not being able to use tower, my suggestion is to go with Silverstone Tek GD05B-USB3.0 Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case with 2X USB3.0 Front Ports Cases (Black) $105, was reviewed by SPCR and got the editor choice, Silverstone Grandia GD05: A Versatile HTPC Case.
I personally havent tested any new amd setups to know the consumption of the A6 (so up to you to check that out), but maybe something like picoPSU-120/10A 120W AC-DC $52 could work out, you could install the brick inside and do a dark plastic cover on the back or leave it external, what ever you like.
Since you are limited by not being able to use tower, my suggestion is to go with Silverstone Tek GD05B-USB3.0 Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case with 2X USB3.0 Front Ports Cases (Black) $105, was reviewed by SPCR and got the editor choice, Silverstone Grandia GD05: A Versatile HTPC Case.
I personally havent tested any new amd setups to know the consumption of the A6 (so up to you to check that out), but maybe something like picoPSU-120/10A 120W AC-DC $52 could work out, you could install the brick inside and do a dark plastic cover on the back or leave it external, what ever you like.
Re: Seeking bedroom HTPC recommendations
What you want to do can be achieved with a WDTV live box or a similar one. No need to go full PC.
Re: Seeking bedroom HTPC recommendations
An appliance is a good route to go (cheap, very low power, passive) unless you need a browser for free services like TV websites or the free side of Hulu.Pappnaas wrote:What you want to do can be achieved with a WDTV live box or a similar one. No need to go full PC.