Could you build a $200 HTPC that will run all blurays, netflix, and kodi movies?

42YottabyteSim · Jun 14, 2016

Ok, I've been scouring the internet, spent about 5 hours on Amazon trying to match up parts.

Here is my question. I already own the Windows OS, External USB Bluray Player, and 7200RPM 1TB HD.

I'm wanting to build a $200 HTPC for a friend, where they will be able to use it with Windows 10 OS and Kodi.

I'm not concerned about gaming, but playing 1080p can sometimes stutter a bit, so I don't want to risk any lag in smoothly playing 1080p through netflix, the external bluray, youtube, hulu, etc, etc.

So, can anyone here come up with a parts list to create a $200 HTPC.

Here's the closest I'm getting to it:
Crucial 4GB Kit (2GBx2) DDR4-2133 - $18
ASUS H110M-A LGA 1151 Intel H110 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro-ATX DDR4 Motherboard - $53
Intel BX80662I36100 Core i3-6100 3M Cache, 3.70 GHz Processor - $115
Subtotal= $186

Still need a case and PSU. I've read about the PicoPSU 120W as working for some peoples HTPC, but others complain its not enough power to run the system I've listed above.

I've also considered making it cheaper by using an AMD A8 CPU, because it has integrated R7 graphics, but some say it will handle 1080p, but others say it wont.

So I'm hoping you guys can offer some advice, since I'm reading a lot of contradicting stuff when it comes to getting real 1080p smooth playback with no worries.

Thanks.

ps2cho · Jun 14, 2016

Drop the i3 and get a Celeron dual core. They will knock $50 off the processor price and can definitely handle 1080p.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G3RH7915

sobe · Jun 15, 2016

What he said ^

42YottabyteSim · Jun 15, 2016

Thanks for the tip. I'm reading a lot of reviews now of some saying celeron will work fine, but also some people experiencing choppy 1080p playback in some cases, but not sure if the celeron is to blame.

I did find this: Pentium Processor G4400 3.3 GHz FCLGA1151 for only $58, which would still save me $50 from the i3.

It's only only $8 more than the celeron. According to CPU Boss the pentium has an 8.3 out of 10 rating which is pretty damn impressive for a $58 dollar CPU.

Also if you know anything about 120w picopsu's being used in a mini-itx case, please let me know if that sounds like a legit setup for this hardware.

Can't wait for the RasberryPi7. I hear it will support 4k VR

JrClocker · Jun 21, 2016

Look at an NVIDIA Shield...$199.

It may struggle with Blu-Ray, but he can rip with MKV...

wagex · Jun 21, 2016

JrClocker said:
Look at an NVIDIA Shield...$199.

It may struggle with Blu-Ray, but he can rip with MKV...

not only would it struggle with blu-ray, it wouldnt work with blu-ray at all unless you ripped them on the pc and shared the converted files.

notarat · Jun 21, 2016

42YottabyteSim said:
Ok, I've been scouring the internet, spent about 5 hours on Amazon trying to match up parts.

Here is my question. I already own the Windows OS, External USB Bluray Player, and 7200RPM 1TB HD.

I'm wanting to build a $200 HTPC for a friend, where they will be able to use it with Windows 10 OS and Kodi.

I'm not concerned about gaming, but playing 1080p can sometimes stutter a bit, so I don't want to risk any lag in smoothly playing 1080p through netflix, the external bluray, youtube, hulu, etc, etc.

So, can anyone here come up with a parts list to create a $200 HTPC.

Here's the closest I'm getting to it:
Crucial 4GB Kit (2GBx2) DDR4-2133 - $18
ASUS H110M-A LGA 1151 Intel H110 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro-ATX DDR4 Motherboard - $53
Intel BX80662I36100 Core i3-6100 3M Cache, 3.70 GHz Processor - $115
Subtotal= $186

Still need a case and PSU. I've read about the PicoPSU 120W as working for some peoples HTPC, but others complain its not enough power to run the system I've listed above.

I've also considered making it cheaper by using an AMD A8 CPU, because it has integrated R7 graphics, but some say it will handle 1080p, but others say it wont.

So I'm hoping you guys can offer some advice, since I'm reading a lot of contradicting stuff when it comes to getting real 1080p smooth playback with no worries.

Thanks.

If my old Raspberry Pi can handle 36Gb BluRay RIPS at full 1080p and 5.1 Audio I would imaging one of the new Raspberry Pi with the faster processor will easily handle your needs

JrClocker · Jun 21, 2016

wagex said:
not only would it struggle with blu-ray, it wouldnt work with blu-ray at all unless you ripped them on the pc and shared the converted files.

I believe that's what I said!

wagex · Jun 21, 2016

JrClocker said:
I believe that's what I said!

"it may struggle with bluray" seemed to imply it would work but not very well. my bad.

Fineas · Jun 25, 2016

Evilsizer · Jul 21, 2016

to bad i didnt see this sooner, i would have suggested a ATI APU vs an intel system. using software like powerdvd can offload the BD discs to the cpu's video decoder. i havent seen much info/talk about intels non iris video chipset and how it does with BD disc decoding.

Jeff G · Jul 21, 2016

If you didn't already purchase parts, I'd recommend the G4500 over the G4400. You get the HD530 integrated graphics on the G4500, whereas the G4400 has the HD510. Worth the extra $10 to me. I have the G4500 in my HTPC and it plays 1080p no problem.

freakdiablo · Jul 21, 2016

Evilsizer said:
to bad i didnt see this sooner, i would have suggested a ATI APU vs an intel system. using software like powerdvd can offload the BD discs to the cpu's video decoder. i havent seen much info/talk about intels non iris video chipset and how it does with BD disc decoding.

That's what I would've thought too. Did a quick look around, seems like even the upper end AM1 APUs can handle bluray as long as the player has hardware support. No VLC.

Something like:

GIGABYTE GA-AM1M-S2H - $35
Athlon 5350 - $43
2x2GB kit DDR3 -~$25

That leaves ~$100 for a case/PSU (no storage drive or bluray drive, right?). Toss a low wattage Antec or Corsair PSU into a cheap mATX HTPC case and hitting the $200 mark is easy.

Edit: Just saw the comments about owning the bluray drive, HDD, and a copy of Windows.

Pinky · Jul 21, 2016

Why not one of these?

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/compute-stick/intel-compute-stick.html

There's a USB port for the external player. Start around $99 on amazon.

I don't even see the sense in building a HTPC if all one wants/needs to do is watch movies. And these sticks will only get better with time.

Jeff G · Jul 21, 2016

Pinky said:
Why not one of these?

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/compute-stick/intel-compute-stick.html

There's a USB port for the external player. Start around $99 on amazon.

I don't even see the sense in building a HTPC if all one wants/needs to do is watch movies. And these sticks will only get better with time.

For a standard TV viewing experience, I bet that would be a good choice. I went HTPC because I was able to customize it the way I want (storage size, audio card, connectivity options, etc).
I am curious though if something like that could be plugged into a surround receiver hdmi instead of a tv to get the benefits of the receiver with video pass-through to the tv. Might be a great choice for someone on a budget that wants a decent movie viewing experience.

wingman99 · Jul 21, 2016

I Have the Pentium G4400 3.3 GHz and I'm able to play DVD upscale 1080p.

Tír na nÓg · Jul 21, 2016

FYI, I run an AMD [email protected] (stock cooler) on an Asus A55BM-Plus, with 8GB of DDR3 1600/Cl8 (120 euro total) and a CX600 (spare PSU I had in a closet for ages...) with a 250GB SSD, and it works wonder (blue-ray, browsing, office, even the CS suite!!!).

I put a 7970 in it, for the fun, and I played BF HL@1080p, on very high settings in the 50+ fps...

Jeff G · Jul 21, 2016

Tír na nÓg said:
I put a 7970 in it, for the fun, and I played BF HL@1080p, on very high settings in the 50+ fps...

I have a 7950 that I've been trying to sell, unsuccessfully, that I'm now considering putting in mine after hearing this. 1080p on a 70" might be fun for some games...

Tír na nÓg · Jul 21, 2016

^Sure! BF3, BF4, Dirt3, Borderland... For a 200 bucks box! Loads of fun!

Pinky · Jul 22, 2016

Jeff G said:
I am curious though if something like that could be plugged into a surround receiver hdmi instead of a tv to get the benefits of the receiver with video pass-through to the tv. Might be a great choice for someone on a budget that wants a decent movie viewing experience.

Yes, it works with any standard HDMI input.

As far as storage is concerned, being this isn't likely the only Windows computer in the house/apartment, I'd think mapping a drive to a share on another computer to access and save large chunks of data would be sufficient. That would be my plan at least. Transfer rates only need to be as fast as HD streaming requires, and Wireless N more than fulfills those needs. Audio will be best over hdmi, most other methods of connecting to a receiver are inferior.

Could you build a $200 HTPC that will run all blurays, netflix, and kodi movies?

Registered

Member

Unscathed Member

Registered

AKA: JrMiyagi

Chapstick Eating Premium Member

Member

AKA: JrMiyagi

Chapstick Eating Premium Member

Registered

Senior Forum Spammer

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads