i'm thinking about building a new HTPC that's much smaller and much less power-hungry than the current C2D E8400 system that i'm using right now, and i've got a couple different systems spec'ed out.
i already have a PSU & an old SSD that i will be using, so all i need is case, RAM, APU & mobo.
what do you think of these (case & RAM are the same in both)?:
AMD Setup:
Case: DIYPC HTPC-Cube-BK $39.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB $34.99
Motherboard: MSI AM1I Mini-ITX $29.99
APU: AMD Athlon 5150 $42.99
TOTAL: $147.96
Intel Setup:
Case: DIYPC HTPC-Cube-BK $39.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB $34.99
Motherboard: ASRock H61MV-ITX $48.99
APU: Intel Celeron G1610 $49.99
TOTAL: $173.96
i know the AMD APU is only single-channel on the memory controller and the intel is dual-channel, but will that really make any difference if the only thing it will be doing is playing 1080p content? i'd be saving $26 going the AMD route, and would be getting a stronger iGPU, and the AMD chip is quad-core vs dual-core for the intel, although it has a lower clock per core. with that $26 savings, i could also get an ARCTIC Alpine M1 Passive Cooler or an ARCTIC Alpine M1 Whisper-Quiet Cooler and still come out less expensive overall.
i already have a PSU & an old SSD that i will be using, so all i need is case, RAM, APU & mobo.
what do you think of these (case & RAM are the same in both)?:
AMD Setup:
Case: DIYPC HTPC-Cube-BK $39.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB $34.99
Motherboard: MSI AM1I Mini-ITX $29.99
APU: AMD Athlon 5150 $42.99
TOTAL: $147.96
Intel Setup:
Case: DIYPC HTPC-Cube-BK $39.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB $34.99
Motherboard: ASRock H61MV-ITX $48.99
APU: Intel Celeron G1610 $49.99
TOTAL: $173.96
i know the AMD APU is only single-channel on the memory controller and the intel is dual-channel, but will that really make any difference if the only thing it will be doing is playing 1080p content? i'd be saving $26 going the AMD route, and would be getting a stronger iGPU, and the AMD chip is quad-core vs dual-core for the intel, although it has a lower clock per core. with that $26 savings, i could also get an ARCTIC Alpine M1 Passive Cooler or an ARCTIC Alpine M1 Whisper-Quiet Cooler and still come out less expensive overall.
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