HTPC spec me please

[karl751]

Im after a cheap htcp build which must be low power as I will use it as a NAS and a HTPC. So what does everyone recommend?
I was thinking a cheap Gigabyte H81 board (£35) and a Intel Celeron G1820 (£31)? I have an HDD I can use. I figured 2x2gb of ram will be ok (£30)? I also have a case that I can use for now, although possibly a new one as I would like it to be smaller and I need a new psu, which comes with some cases, I wouldnt use them on a proper PC, but as its just low power figured it would be ok.
So thoughts and specs please?
Also as I would like it as a NAS im guessing linux would be better than windows?

[Bonebreaker777]

How about the new Kabini?

Quad core APU 25w - £42 (can choose lower powered models too for cheaper)
AM1 MoBo - £27
RAM just like you said around £30

As OS for HTPC/NAS the FreeNAS would be better I think.

How many HDDs you would like to have initially-> because if two is not enough, can always buy an expansion card.

[karl751]

I thought fm2 was the new one and was higher power so I didn't look at am1 tbh, I will look into it now though. Is it better than the Intel then?
I have one and an external one.

[shaithis]

Having just built a kabini HTPC, I can honestly say they are awesome for the job. Not had any performance issues (or any issues in general) and the thing is totally silent (I went with the Seasonic SFX PSU that only spins up past a certain load and/or temperature....the fan has yet to turn on!)

[Bonebreaker777]

Having just built a kabini HTPC, I can honestly say they are awesome for the job. Not had any performance issues (or any issues in general) and the thing is totally silent (I went with the Seasonic SFX PSU that only spins up past a certain load and/or temperature....the fan has yet to turn on!)

Would be much trouble to share the exact build with us, please? I would be interested and to copy one is always easy to build or improve upon.

[jim]

From his signature:

HTPC2: Asus AM1I-A / 5150 / 4GB DDR3 / Corsair Force 3 240GB / Silverstone SST-ML05B + ST30SF / Windows 8.1 x64 Pro with WMC

Them's the sorts of skills that make me worth every penny of my mod wages.

Now if only someone would tell me how I get hold of them...

[Mr_Biz]

I'm not sure it'll lend it's self to a NAS setup unless you plug in an external USB drive, but I'm running an Intel NUC hooked up to my TV. Makes no noise, boots in like no time at all (mSATA) and cost me less than £300 to build, but then you're looking at having to add the NAS costs too. Comes with a nice little adapter plate for attaching it to VESA mountings on the back of your TV so it'c completely out the way too.

[karl751]

Thanks for all of the advice, I went for a pentium G3220 and motherboard in the end. I'm now trying to find a half decent SFX PSU, which doesn;t seem possible lol. I was hoping for about £30 but its looking more like 40ish for something like a be quiet or a silverstone, any recommendations?

[Bonebreaker777]

Thanks for all of the advice, I went for a pentium G3220 and motherboard in the end. I'm now trying to find a half decent SFX PSU, which doesn;t seem possible lol. I was hoping for about £30 but its looking more like 40ish for something like a be quiet or a silverstone, any recommendations?

Silverstone SST-ST30SF Strider 300W SFX Power Supply PSU for £37.56