What would make a good UHD HTPC

[Pauven]

Okay, can a guy change his mind. I like this NUC case.

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/ca ... ase-nc100/

Careful, that case does NOT take a motherboard. It takes a NUC Compute Element, which is a mainboard that looks more like a video card, and slots into the case like a video card.

I agree, it's nice, but it's completely different than everything else.




My personal vote is for the Silverstone, even though it is the least sexy, simply because the end result is an all-in-one solution with the Blu-ray drive included. But if that isn't important for you, then everything except # 5 (the special NUC Compute Element case) could be nice.

[Jamie]

Yes, the silverstone is on my mind and the modules for the NUC do not appear to be easy to obtain. They came out in 2019 and there hasn't been any upgrade for the series 10 which came out recently.

The Nvidia GPU is on the other side. The GPU is separate and one of the few upgradable parts. I have to order a NUC module to finish the build for the CPU, RAM, and other components. I worried that they don't support ethernet.

NUC GPU.jpg (305.58 KiB) Viewed 13285 times

[Jamie]

These are the final 3 choices. Yes that NUC case still intrigues me but it limits a lot of my options. The only real part that can be changed is the GPU. All the other parts are part of a module.

1A. NR200p https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/ca ... ox-nr200p/

1B. GD04 https://www.silverstonetek.com/product. ... 33&area=en

2. https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/ca ... ase-nc100/


I guess after you verify if powerdvd 20 is worth the bother, I will scope out 2 builds to see what meets my needs and what will give me the proper performance and quality video for playing movies and music. Cost will be a decision maker too but I don't want cost to get in the way of performance. I also don't need a gaming PC.

I believe that the same parts can be used by 1A and 1B. So that will serve as 1 build with the difference being the case which can be selected after I determine the parts necessary for the proper performance.

I also must decide the limitations and cost of the NUC PC. Will it give me the video and music quality I am looking for.

Jamie

[Jamie]

okay, I have ruled out the NUC case and components. None the the boards and elements for the NUC meet my objectives, do not support an ability to do later upgrades, and are expensive for what you buy.

I have left these intel links here so that if others might by interested in this path they can check out the boards and extra elements involved.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en ... oards.html

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en ... ments.html

[Jamie]

okay, I think I'll go with the silverstone GD04B but I do have a concern about the size of a CPU fan I can get if I place a Full height optical drive in the 5 1/4 drive bay. I think this case is best for a HTPC and that the coolmaster would be better for a desktop installation. Would the basic intel fan fit?

Here's a video review that I found.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVENZFQluMU

Jamie

[Pauven]

That was a surprisingly helpful video case review. Makes me want to get one too. I disagree with his assessment that 2x 80mm fans for rear exhaust is recommended. 80mm's are quite a bit noisier, and with 3x 120mm fans all configured for intake, you've essentially got a positive pressure case that will naturally exhaust air out the back.

To prevent from having to replace the left side 120mm fan with a smaller 80mm fan, be sure to choose one of the new shorter length ATX power supplies - not all power ATX supplies are the same size!

For cooling, you'll definitely need to plan on a low-height aftermarket cooler. If you go with an Intel CPU, it probably won't come with a cooler, and regardless any cooler that comes with AMD or optionally Intel CPU's is probably going to be higher than 80MM.

If you go to Newegg.com and browse to CPU coolers, you can filter by height (be sure to click that down-arrow next to the 60mm to 89mm for specific options). One thing to keep in mind is that you probably don't want to get a 70mm height cooler, as it may have airflow blocked.

If you asked me for a recommended cooler, I'd probably go with the Noctua NH-L9x65. Noctua makes awesome coolers and some of the best fans:

image.png (1003.81 KiB) Viewed 13258 times

[Jamie]

I will probably go with your advice and get the cooler you recommended. I was wondering what you thought about this cooler recommended by silverstone? They are compatible with Intel or AMD.

https://www.silverstonetek.com/legacy.p ... del=NT01-E
https://www.silverstonetek.com/legacy.p ... AR02&tno=3

[Jamie]

I'll will go with the nocturna. The Silverstone ones don't even meet the 70mm height requirement

[Pauven]

The NT01 appears to be an offset design, and would "probably" be okay, as if correctly position then the fin stack would rise up behind the Blu-ray drive. But it uses 60mm fans, and when it comes to fans, bigger is always better (more airflow & less noise). So for HTPC use where [AMC says] "Silence is Golden", I'd probably avoid the NT01.

The Silverstone AR02 just looks too big.

Have you chosen a CPU yet?

[Jamie]

No, I haven't gone beyond the case and now the cpu cooler. I have been holding out to see if Powerdvd 20 will support nvidia GPUs for HDR and also see if it still allows non SGX compatible PCs for decrypted discs.

I think I want a PC that will handle JRiver and MADVR too. I think you stated that you heard some things on MADVR and that you may know what it takes to get a better picture.. As you might have stated earlier that MDVR is a better fit for Nvidia than AMD GPUs and I was wondering whether I should go with an intel CPU over AMD. If AMD is just as compatible with Madvr. I am willing to pay less for a AMD CPU than an intel one. How much RAM should I purchase. Do you know how much RAM may be required by MADVR or is that as relevant as GPUs and CPUs? Are there any sites that provide information on MADVR and what I should take into account when building a PC with MADVR in mind?

Regarding a GPU can I get by with a RTX 2060 or do I need to get closer to $700 to $1000? If the better TV watching card is over $500 I will have to start saving my dimes. Can I get by with a card less than $500?

By the way. The TV I plan to use is a TCL 6000 or 8000 series. VIZIO is also on my mind.

I hear that AVSforums has some info on MADVR .

Thanks Paul