Self build media centre PC


  1. CardinalRed
    Posts : 10
    Win 7 Home 64 bit
       New #1

    Self build media centre PC


    I'm about to come into some random bits of hardware and I've always wanted a media centre PC in my living room to connect to my TV. I've decided to try to build an SFF myself.

    Main requirements are:

    Small-ish, discrete (black, no flashy lights or windows)
    No need for optical drive
    Needs USB to connect external storage
    HDMI output to connect direct to TV
    Possibly (not essential) an optical output for sound into my soundbar

    The chip I am getting is AM3+, so I was looking at this motherboard:

    Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Socket AM3+ VGA DVI HDMI 7.1 Channel Audio mATX Motherboard - Ebuyer

    And this box:

    IN Win BL641 300w Slim Desktop Black ATX 80 Plus - Ebuyer

    I have a spare 120GB SSD and 2 DDR3 RAM sticks (8GB).

    Am I right that I just need to find a power supply, graphics card, and then maybe some cooling?

    Its main use will be playing media from the hard drives, Kodi, some very light gaming (talking browser level here) and some internet browsing.

    Thanks!
    Last edited by CardinalRed; 16 May 2016 at 12:09.
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  3. ThrashZone
    Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       New #2

    Hi,
    The ddr2 ram is useless on this board
    Memory
    - 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory (Note 1)
    - Dual channel memory architecture
    - Support for 1333+ (O.C.)/1066 MHz memory modules
    (Please refer "Memory Support List" for more information.)
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  4. CardinalRed
    Posts : 10
    Win 7 Home 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    The ddr2 ram is useless on this board
    Memory
    - 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory (Note 1)
    - Dual channel memory architecture
    - Support for 1333+ (O.C.)/1066 MHz memory modules
    (Please refer "Memory Support List" for more information.)
    Hi thanks.

    It should say 2x DDR3 sticks sorry!

    Will now edit.
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  6. alphaniner
    Posts : 201
    Windows 7 Professional x64, Arch Linux
       New #4

    The case you linked comes with a PSU. That's often true for small cases like that. One thing to keep in mind though is availability of replacement PSUs should the original fail.

    Onboard video may be enough for your usage, I'd try that before buying a GPU. If you do buy a GPU, make sure it's compatible with low-profile case.
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  7. ThrashZone
    Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       New #5

    Hi,
    Okay yep that will help :)
    Although yea the case probably is going to have poor cooling too along with limited gpu options
    I had one of those slim line cases they do bite so more intake and exhaust fans are needed.
    Modifing old desktop machine in new case
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  8. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       New #6

    You should consider if relatively low cost devices like this meets your needs
    WD TV - Media Player
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  10. CardinalRed
    Posts : 10
    Win 7 Home 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Hi Mjf,

    Strangely I do have one of those already and it works fine (except some issues with .ISO playback) - but this is more of a "what can I do with these bits of hardware" question, as selling them really does sound quite boring :)
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  11. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       New #8

    CardinalRed said:
    Hi Mjf,

    Strangely I do have one of those already and it works fine (except some issues with .ISO playback) - but this is more of a "what can I do with these bits of hardware" question, as selling them really does sound quite boring :)
    I've had one for years and I generally playback ISO and mkvs. Mine is a WD Gen 2 and haven't come across any iso playback issues.

    I get your point on putting spare hardware to use - good luck with the project.
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