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New PC build help?


syztemlord

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Hi guys,

I'm looking to build/buy a new mini HTPC and use it with Launchbox.  I don't need anything major as I'm probably only emulating up to PS1.

Can anyone recommend any specs, I've been looking at a mini PC that has an Intel Atom X5 Z8350 but not sure if that will be good enough?

Any suggestions would be greatly received :D 

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What is your budget? 

An atom PC is still good for somethings, but you would be better off with a cheap dual core on a h81 board for not much more money and an order of magnitude more performance and future upgrade options. 

This 60$ processor https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1K656X2361

Your pick of mini itx boards https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007627 600438202 600009028

Add in an 8gb DIMM

A case like this one: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119299 

And your pick of a half decent ATX PSU. A complete build can be had around 400$, and you still have the ability to go full kaby lake i7 with a high end graphics card if you want in the future. 

As configured emulation up to gamecube and dreamcast should run pretty well, minus the graphical oddities you find with intel drivers. 

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Well i have a windows tablet with a X5 Z8300 With only 2GB of ram and it will do most of what you want. However its only a 1200x800 resolution, but i assume you are going to want to run at 1080p? If so then you are probably going to need something stronger than that, also if you go with a mini pc like that you may be very limited on hard drive space, some just have a small amount of flash storage, some have a hdd. If you are going with one that has a hdd in it you may well be better building a small form factor pc yourself like a intel nuc. As @mothergoose729 said a rough budget would help us a lot when speccing a system. 

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My apologies, socket 1151 is the one you want, not socket 1150. The prices are actually a little cheaper too. 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1N841M6939

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007627 600567584 600009028

 

Specing out all the parts, you can get the above with a small form factor case, a good 450 watt power supply, 2tb storage drive and 128gb SSD boot drive for $383 after tax and shipping. A cheap atom setup will set you back roughly the same amount. I recommend a custom PC. 

Edited by mothergoose729
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This 7th gen Celeron is $45 https://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80677G3930-Celeron-Desktop-Processors/dp/B01MYTY55V/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498060262&sr=8-1&keywords=Intel+Celeron

but depending how small factor you want it a Atom X5 would handle your emulation needs no issues but it won't be it won't be upgradeable you'll be stuck with that chip even if you aren't satisfied with it. I've bought a few cheap PC only to get new ones because I'm unhappy with the performance.

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Just now, DOS76 said:

This 7th gen Celeron is $45 https://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80677G3930-Celeron-Desktop-Processors/dp/B01MYTY55V/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498060262&sr=8-1&keywords=Intel+Celeron

but depending how small factor you want it a Atom X5 would handle your emulation needs no issues but it won't be it won't be upgradeable you'll be stuck with that chip even if you aren't satisfied with it. I've bought a few cheap PC only to get new ones because I'm unhappy with the performance.

Yeah i bought a intel nuc before, thinking it was suitable for my needs, it wasnt. Its now just a PVR box that hooks into my KODI boxes.

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Just now, DOS76 said:

yeah at least when your a computer geek you can find other functions for them.

Yep i just put libreelec on it with the built in tv headend server, and that records over the air stuff for me, in HD on several channels. I have sky satellite all over the house but thats all encrypted and only records to its box. The over the air i can run through handbrake and add to my plex/kodi library's. So in the end the nuc wasn't a bad investment. :)  

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2 minutes ago, DOS76 said:

https://www.amazon.com/MeeGOPad-T02-Pre-Installed-Windows10-Bluetooth/dp/B00Z8VZ6E6

This little guy is my projector PC for when I set up my screen out back

Nice. This is the nuc i got, i added a old 120GB drive i had laying around and 4GB of DDR3L ram to it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I60Z8Q2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did buy it september 2014, and i know the low cost nuc's are better these day's.

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Thanks for the input guys.  Budget isn't huge but knowing I'll probably want more in the future I might have to go down the i5/i7 route.  Just won't tell the wife! :S

I'll be wanting to use Big Box as well.

Edited by syztemlord
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