nohj Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Hi all! I am currently using a macbook 2ghz core2duo running boxee outputting 1080P to my plasma and optical audio out to my receiver and this solutions works great, but it's temporary! I want to build a cheap PC running os x running boxee (or any other flavor of xbmc) my requirements are pretty simple: 1- 1080P capable output w/no dropped frames 2- optical audio out-- it'd be nice to have the audio go out through the hdmi, but i don't think it's feasible in os x (or is it?) 3- pci-express, so i can slap a raid card in there for raid6,,, not a big big deal, since i can just stream through gigabit ethernet from my mac pro if necessary, but it *would* be nice that way I can offload all my hard drive duties to this PC box that'll be running 24/7 4- noise is not an issue since it'll be in the bedroom above the living room (plan on running hdmi and audio cable to the receiver from bedroom upstairs and using my iphone to control the HTPC software) 5- low power requirements 6- enough Horsepower to be able to play 1080p w/o dropping frames AND encoding video/audio in background as well as any other type of processes I deem necessary (time machine backup, etc..) 7- inexpensive.. we, are after all, building a -PC- From what I've been reading, it appears that some flavor of a core2duo along with at least an intel gma950(??) is sufficient? I don't want a *bare* minimum system,, something a little bit above that would be nice since I plan on the box doing other things while it's justifying the expense of my 50" Plasma!!! If my estimations are correct, this should be doable for < $300? I'd like any help possible-- specifically motherboard and cpu information on what to get along with any pointers to drivers, etc. Thanks in advance for any help!! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 A celeron dual core is under $60 I believe, and overclocks pretty decently too. That'll work on the cpu side. GPU, either an 8400, or hd2400 will work. Mobo, I would say probably a p45 decently priced. Memory, memory is dirt cheap right now. It might push outside of $300, but it'll be around that. Got one up, I didn't grab a raid card, as I didn't know if you had one already, or not. But as a basic osx86 box, this should run everything you need it to. As for pointers, if you don't know really what you're doing, the new IPC release has almost every kext and fix in their release. I'm using the new XxX release, and it works pretty good for my system. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1021701 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nohj Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share Posted January 1, 2009 hi! thanks so much for your reply, I really appreciate it! i did some research on this board and it looks like it'll work-- but, not sure about 100% can anyone confirm optical audio 5.1 works 100%? also-- any other video card you can recommend? apparently the 2400 doesn't output DVI-- u have to use vga adapter thanks so much again,, i'm using your newegg pic as a guide! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1022349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 The 8400 from Nvidia might. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1022355 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cybaster Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I'd say wait a little bit after macworld and see what the new iMacs and MacMini's are up to. Since its rumored to be using Nvidia chipsets, I am looking at this board as an upgrade to my current 945 setup. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128363 the P35 chipset for me (a little old i know) is working really well. I'd say use this thread http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=114834 to determine what motherboard you should use. I personally prefer Boot-132 methods and installing as little kexts as possible comparing to bootdisks packed by other people Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1022565 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaaseyRacer Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I personally would go with this board. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128363 It basically has the current MacBook chipset, which includes a GeForce 9400 on board. I would look into a low end Core 2 Duo, something like the E7300 or if you want a little more the E8400 is not much more money. RAM prices are really low right now, I would get about 4GB of what ever brand what ever speed RAM you desire (I just spent 40 dollars on 4GB). This set up with a E7300 would run you ~ $320 (USD). Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1022728 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nohj Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 thanks for the replies everyone, I really appreciate it and will definitely be contributing back when my htpc is finished.. question-- does that board you posted have optical 5.1 out? from what i can tell from everything i've read-- audio seems to be an ongoing issue-- i absolutely need 100% working optical out 5.1 or higher to my receiver through my htpc software or vlc, etc.. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1022955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I personally would go with this board.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128363 It basically has the current MacBook chipset, which includes a GeForce 9400 on board. I would look into a low end Core 2 Duo, something like the E7300 or if you want a little more the E8400 is not much more money. RAM prices are really low right now, I would get about 4GB of what ever brand what ever speed RAM you desire (I just spent 40 dollars on 4GB). This set up with a E7300 would run you ~ $320 (USD). That's what the celeron is. A low end core 2 duo. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1022974 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cybaster Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 since the board is relatively new, it is really hard to tell if audio will be an issue. Personally I've been combating audio issues a lot too. For my first rig, optical out 5.1 is available with the motherboard (it takes some searching) For my second rig, the audio is so unstable that I just bought an Ebay USB sound interface which includes optical in and out. I've heard successes from other usb interfaces and Creative solutions (might want to double check that though) but yeah, my recommendation is wait a week or so and see if there is indeed a new mac mini out (and also see if they are focusing that to be more a HTPC). Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1023262 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nohj Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 hi, 1st rig-- you verify 5.1 works through a receiver? 2nd rig- same ? as above? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143791-need-suggestions-for-htpc/#findComment-1023511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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