New HTPC build help

[Gookitron]

Hi folks

Been entertaining the idea of upgrading my horrendously outdated and slow E350 APU HTPC for the better part of the decade. Budget is restricting, but I am looking to reuse the majority of my parts. There are strict parts requirements that I want to maintain considering I want to reuse the parts.

I am looking the the i3 NUC or BRiX type systems. But there is just so many versions now... If I can go cheaper (and/or quieter) by doing some Pentium and mini-ITX combo, all the better.

I tried the Roku path, didn't like it so much. Sometimes I just want the full browser experience and sometimes I don't want to rely on the internet. I've been contemplating posting in the htpc subforum, but decided to post here to get a broader recommendation sense.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Web browsing (email, paying bills), Streaming content (netflix, hulu, etc), streaming music and HD FLASH!! Everything else will be from USB or across the network.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
250-300 USD.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

San Gabriel, CA
Microcenter approximately 1hour away (Tustin, CA)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Required: Motherboard, CPU
Optional (based on build): RAM, m-SATA

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Torqx2 SSD (64GB)
DDR3 SO-DIMM (2x4GB)
Pico-PSU (maybe) - 120W
Modified Shuttle case (maybe) - has a huge 140mm fan on front and a 120mm exhaust (the Mrs. complains about the noise).

6) Will you be overclocking?
Nope

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Big Screen TV, 1920x1080

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
At the store, staring at products to throw into my cart... store clerks been giving me the look because I've been standing here so long
Realistically this coming weekend.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
mini-ITX, SO-DIMM preferred

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium. I hear the NUC doesn't (officially) support Win7 though, but I think I am savvy enough to get it to work. I'll have to consider getting Win8 down the road otherwise.

 

[Dangman]

In this situation, an Intel NUC actually makes sense since you already have DDR3 SO-DIMM RAM. Without that, a regular AMD mITX setup would probably been the ideal choice.

Anyway, for NUCs, The Intel DC3217IYE NUC with the clover type power cord should be your best bet:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093LINVK/?tag=extension-kb-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4ZCHF8/?tag=extension-kb-20

 

[Gookitron]

Thanks Dangman! I wasn't sure of the capabilities of all the NUC variants.

I picked up a "Used - Like New" NUC for 189. It came with the "Mickey Mouse" plug so that saved me an extra 5 bucks. I used the difference to pick up a 64gb msata. I found a wireless-n mpci card in my spare parts bin. Totally set for some awesome movie watching now.

The NUC didn't come with that new-fangled thermal pad, but Intel was kind enough to send me one free of charge. Gonna be hotly anticipating that arrival.

 

[Dangman]

Good luck with the build!

 

[EricNS]

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=94199

This is wealth of info you may find helpful

 

[Gookitron]

Thanks EricNS. I think I understand why I was so frustrated from my cheapo HTPC setup

☆ Build #3. AMD Fusion E-350 (2x1.6Ghz) / AMD Radeon HD 6310 ($243) --> Average CPU Mark: 769

Seems like I got most of the other parts selection correct.

Back to the build:
No wires to run
No clearance issues
Empty boxes didn't take up the entire apartment as I laid out all the parts to assemble...
It would seem like bare-bones build isn't as fun as scratch build, oh well

I threw on a flavor of Linux Mint to give it a quick whirl until the thermal pad gets here.
BY FAR superior to the E350 setup! And at a fraction of the size.
Gets rather warm to the touch, I'm still playing with the cooling profile.

Here are some shots comparing the NUC to my old VIA system (nano-ITX from the ARTiGO days). Small indeed:

http://imgur.com/a/VfXxq

edit: I found an internal bluetooth module in my spare parts bin... time to rig it up to the internal USB header in the NUC, that should add some fun back to the build.