Intel HTPC
We detailed our assumptions about the HTPC configurations in the introduction to the AMD HTPC. You may want to look back at the considerations. We assume the end user has already selected an HDTV or monitor and a sound system. Very few end users need a TV tuner anymore so we are not making that recommendation. We also assume the primary use of the HTPC computer is to play, store, and stream Blu-ray movies and other video entertainment.
| Intel HTPC System | ||
| Hardware | Component | Price |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 Wolfdale (Dual-core 2.5GHz, 45nm, 65W, 2MB Shared L2, 800FSB) |
$70 |
| Cooling | CPU Retail HSF | - |
| Video | On-Board | - |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H GF9400 Micro ATX | $130 |
| Memory | Patriot Viper Model PVS24G6400LLK 4GB DDR2-800 4-4-4 ($52 less $25 Rebate) |
$27 |
| Hard Drive | WD Caviar Green WD10EACS 1TB 32MB cache - OEM | $90 |
| Optical Drive | LG BD/HD DVD / 16x DVD+/- RW GGC-H20L - Retail | $110 |
| Audio | On-Board | - |
| Case | Antec NSK2480 Black/Silver Micro ATX Case Includes 80 Plus Certified 380W PSU |
$120 |
| Power Supply | Earthwatts 380W Included with Case | - |
| Base System Total | $546 | |
| Input | Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 USB RF Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse |
$30 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Vista Home Premium SP1 (for System Builders) | $99 |
| Complete System Bottom Line | $676 | |
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As discussed in the Intel Entry PC, the E5200 is an excellent value in the Intel CPU line. Anything lower priced is generally a lot worse in performance, but higher priced CPUs do not gain that much in performance. At the new lower price of $70, the dual-core E5200 is also an excellent match to an NVIDIA 9400 chipset motherboard. It also doesn't hurt that the E5200 is rated at 65W TDP, which will help in keeping the HTPC as quiet as possible.
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Our motherboard choice for the Intel HTPC is the $130 Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H featuring the NVIDIA GeForce 9400 chipset. Our motherboard reviews found this chipset and the GF9300 a better choice than G45 in Intel HTPC systems due to superior video playback and overall system performance. Some users have reported that the stock Intel CPU heat sink touches the chipset heatsink on this motherboard and they found the heatsink fit best and worked best by rotating the heatsink 90 degrees. For best results, check the fit and best positioning before completing the mount of the heatsink/fan.
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The HTPC case is one of those very personal options in building an HTPC computer. Some like the small cube form factor that can easily hide next to books on a shelf, while others prefer the audio component look. If prefer the "audio component" look in your HTPC the Antec New Solution NSK2480 case selected for the AMD HTPC system should be your choice. If you prefer to tuck away a cube on the bookshelf, the Lian Li PC-V350B is a better choice. The Lian Li does not come with a power supply, however, so you will need to add a PSU if you choose the Lian Li cube. Our pricing tables on both systems list the Antec NSK2480.
The rest of the components are the same as those found in the AMD HTPC system. For detailed information on the rest of the components chosen for the Intel HTPC, please refer to the detailed discussion on the AMD HTPC page.
AMD systems have held the lead for some time in HD video and HTPC boxes. The AMD advantage was large enough that AT hadn't recommended an Intel HTPC build until the December 2008 Buyers' Guide. The NVIDIA GeForce 9300/9400 chipsets have done a lot to level the HD and HTPC playing field - but at a premium price. The Intel HTPC problem was never the CPU but rather the motherboard chipset. That is the reason we can combine a cheaper Intel CPU with an NVIDIA GF9400 chipset motherboard to create a competent HTPC box.
While we can't tell you HD playback capabilities are completely equal between AMD and Intel today, we can tell you that both HTPC builds provided smooth, stutter-free Blu-ray playback. Certainly that is the primary concern of most HTPC system builders.
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strikeback03 - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
So it's pretty much a different keyboard with a touchpad for more money? I suppose they could have recommended a DiNovo mini as well, I'd imagine the input devices used are definitely part of the "personal touch" mentioned for the HTPCs.aftlizard - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
59.99 would still keep them under there stated budget and 90 dollars less than the Dinovo keyboard while taking up less space, using less batteries and providing better range than RF.GeorgeH - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
"The WD Green is a variable speed energy saving design"Unless I'm very much mistaken, that WD drive does not vary its rotation speed. Their original "5400-7200" RPM claims were purely a marketing thing, a shorthand way of saying "5400RPM power consumption with 7200RPM performance". WD no longer bothers to claim their drives vary in speed, instead merely listing it as "IntelliPower" and nothing more.
Saying it's variable speed is good marketing for people who don't see anything beyond RPM, but as AnandTech isn't on WD's payroll it seems a little out of place here. ;)
Spoelie - Friday, May 15, 2009 - link
What intellipower means is that the caviar green line is engineered to meet a power target, not a (rotational) speed target. They guarantee that the speed is at least 5400rpm tho.If the power budget is 7w, and the current design allows this by spinning the disks at 5800rpm, then that is what you get. The next design revision could bump up the speed to 6100rpm while keeping the same power budget (for example, optically shrunk controller chips, or increased density platters -> less platters needed for the same capacity -- both save power which can be spent increasing rotational speed). That's why you have the caviar green EACS, EADS, ...
coda6 - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
I agree, I would love to see an article on Anands HTPC set up, or at least a discussion on the possibilities of the current HTPC tech.goinginstyle - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
Back to the HTPC stuff, on page 6, your recommendation is ASUS but the pic is a Gigabyte board from the looks of it.Gary Key - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
Fixed.... :)goinginstyle - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
I think the .05% of people who will run VT with an entry level system sporting Win7 with XP mode are making much to do about nothing in this case. Yes, VT support is important for certain sectors but this in an entry level guide for the masses, most of whom have no idea what VT support even means and could care less if they did.Anyway, it actually appears some thought went into this guide compared to the previous $800 guide. So good job to the editors who actually did some work instead of mailing in their choices this time.
I would rather see a separate HTPC guide explore choices from the ION up to the i7 and include CableCard, Tuners, NAS, and other components built around a true HTPC.
piesquared - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
There is no better choice for an HTPC motherboard than MSI's Maui board on an AMD platform. And DDR2 is still cheaper than DDR3. That would be my recommendaton anyway.Also agree with the above poster regarding Intel's lack of virtualization support.
arklab - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
Wow!This time you guys really blew it on the Intel CPU choices, and could be giving novices who might rely on your advice a nasty surprise.
None of the selected Intel CPUs support XT-x - which of course is REQUIRED to run the new virtual XP mode in Windows 7.
Worst of all, you don't even warn the reader of this situation.
The AMD CPUs are all OK, of course.
Please change your recommendations to select "full use" CPUs.