Check my HTPC Build

SiliconSwitch

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 6, 2006
Messages
233
Goal is to build a 4k/60Hz ready HTPC with hdmi 2.0 and hdcp 2.2, budget was ~$500 so this is over, not sure where to cut.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 GAMING-ITX/AC Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($99.88 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case ($60.84 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG - WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $676.64

I am not sure about the RAM but I think the ryzen needs dual channel high speed ram to perform.

What do you guys think?
 
1. You don't really need an nvme drive. A sata based drive is plenty fast.

2. A 650W gold psu is not necessary for a cpu that consumes 120W.

3. RAM performance is important but you should be looking for the best value at speeds. You don't nearly as much performance when you aren't playing games.
 
On my shopping htpc part list:

CPU: Ryzen 2200G: 60 Euro
Motherboard: MSI B350i Pro: 110 Euro
Memory: 2x4gb Corsair DDR4-3600: 91 Euro
Storage: Sandisk 128gb SSD 2,5": 30 Euro
Case + PSU: In Win Chopin: 75 Euro
Optical Drive: NO

Sold my Ryzen 2400g. Too powerful.
Had the opportunity to get 4gb ddr4-2133 for 30 Euro. 8gb is a waste. Wont run beyond DDR4-3333 on slow timings.
Sold my M.2 Nvme 960 Pro. Fastboot + 2,5" 128 Sandisk boots faster than my TV. m.2 got too hot. Maybe i am going to buy a Phanteks Shift for the optics and better cooling. I had the chance to get an ITX AM4 for 60 Euro. But i was impatient on the MSI. Tried Asrock, Asus, Biostar... the MSI lacks of good onboardsound, but i am only using HDMI Sound. And this board is cold, no leds and very good in energy saving. The B450 boards are no way better.

I can run 4k flawless.
 
Cost cutting options:

-buy a 2x4gb 2400 kit and overclock it. I built a 2200G system with the Asrock AB350ITX and did just this. OCed the ram to 3200mhz. Got mine to the timings of 16-18-18 which is pretty reasonable. If you are comfortable with OCing this is a good option.

-Consider a slower drive
--256gb Intel 760p m.2 NVME 3.0x4 $85
--budget option: Inland 512gb NVME 3.0x2 $99 (may want to check reviews if any)
--Inland 256gb NVME 3.0x2 $55
 
What exactly is the difference between the B350 and B450 boards? The price difference is not that big so I figured I should future proof, but I couldn't really tell any differences...
 
Why use a desktop case, or are you sticking it in a wall where it can't be seen?
 
I have the 2400g and ASRock b450 combo and am very happy. Are you gaming at all? If not, drop to a 2200g and get slower RAM. 2x4gb ddr4-2400 can be had much cheaper and is perfectly good for HTPC if you're not gaming (or just playing party games like jackbox or worms).

SSD you have is overkill. Look at the MX500 for better pricing and great performance (when on sale).

Power supplies can be had much cheaper too.
 
Here is what I came up with as a cheaper version of my previous list:


CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($98.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($114.90 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Green 240GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case ($60.84 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.38 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG - UH12NS40 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($46.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $522.98

Thoughts?
 
Here is what I came up with as a cheaper version of my previous list:


CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($98.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($114.90 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Green 240GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case ($60.84 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.38 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG - UH12NS40 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($46.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $522.98

Thoughts?

Depending on your noise requirements, you can go for a 450W bronze power supply. Usually it is quiet at the couch distance unless you have a very quiet room.

Otherwise looks pretty good.
 
I would go with the Asrock B450 over the AB350, you are using this for 4k/60 Hz. The AB350 is only HDMI 1.4 (3840x2160) @ 30Hz, the B450 is HDMI 2.0 (4096x2160) @ 60Hz.

Personally I would go with the PSU that you picked, you could get a bronze for less money but why take chances. I decided a few years ago to spend a bit extra on a good PSU and save the headaches.
 
I would go with the Asrock B450 over the AB350, you are using this for 4k/60 Hz. The AB350 is only HDMI 1.4 (3840x2160) @ 30Hz, the B450 is HDMI 2.0 (4096x2160) @ 60Hz.

Personally I would go with the PSU that you picked, you could get a bronze for less money but why take chances. I decided a few years ago to spend a bit extra on a good PSU and save the headaches.

The AB350 also supports HDMI 2.0 if used with a 2400G, the cdmi output is determined by the APU and not the motherboard.
 
I would go with the Asrock B450 over the AB350, you are using this for 4k/60 Hz. The AB350 is only HDMI 1.4 (3840x2160) @ 30Hz, the B450 is HDMI 2.0 (4096x2160) @ 60Hz.

Personally I would go with the PSU that you picked, you could get a bronze for less money but why take chances. I decided a few years ago to spend a bit extra on a good PSU and save the headaches.

Yeah, lets go for 550 Watt PSU for an 100 watt system. This is madness :>

The main problem is, that some b350 mainboards dont recognize any 2000er CPU. So my fav is the Gigabyte B450 I Aorus Pro WiFi. Its an improvement over their B350 itx... likely some Revison 3.0. Asus for example didnt use the gpu features such as hdmi out and ppl didnt buy their boards.
 
I really like the focus 650W ..is a great smaller quieter power supply for a very reasonable price .

My suggestions would be to take the RAM to 16GB ..saw some on sale for $125 today at one of the stores and newer chipset board

Kenny
 
I am Building a setup along the same Lines
Looking to get 4K 60Hz for video playback
also looking for run Kodi
will add a Blue ray burner later
all m movies are on Ryzen Server so I don't need a lot of Storage .

Colour info Got it / need to buy it still

33oiex1.jpg




CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor used 90.00
Motherboard: ASRock - AB450 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($174.90@ New Egg Canada )
Memory: 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 New Egg 203.00 CND
Storage: Toshiba OCZ TL100 Series 2.5" SATA III 240GB SSD (TL100-25SAT3-240G)(amazon canada 125.00)
Case:
Cooler Master 130 used ($25.00)
Power Supply: no name 300W (free @ used)
Optical Drive: DVD Burner used Free
 
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The asrock is getting hotter than the msi. The msi lacks of good analog sound, but on HTPC you will use HDMI Sound. You can go for some cheap 4gb OEM Samsung DDR4 module.
 
I've had bad luck with Msi Plus I want both Displayport 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 and USB C
still going go with 8 Gig ram
 
Hmm the MSI got DP 1.2, HDMI 2.0 and USB-C is no feature. The adapter from USB-A to USB-C is very cheap. Its not about speed, its about the connector. And the connector is on the backside. The asrock doesnt come with an internal USB 3.1-USB-C connector too.
 
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