HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

Shaika-Dzari · 2011-10-09 20:28:46

Hi guy!

I want to build a small HTPC to replace my Popcorn A-110.
Archlinux + XBMC.

Usage :
- Watching anime/movie from my NAS (over NFS)
- Watching streaming from youtube, crunchyroll and funimation
- Listening music (on the NAS or other computer... still NFS)

This is what I plan to buy:
Gigabyte GA-E350N-USB3 Mini ITX AMD Dual Core E-350 DDR3 1PCI-E16 HDMI SATA3 USB 3.0 Motherboard
G.SKILL F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit
Intel 320 Series GEN3 40GB 2.5IN SSD SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive Retail W/ Bracket
Apex MI-100 MINI-ITX Case Piano Black 1X5.25 1X3.5 Sfx 250W Front Audio USB

Do you have some feedback on these component ?
Specially the new AMD APU... Is it enough to watch flash at 720p ?
I know the SSD is overkill but it should be more silent than using a traditional HDD.

Thanks everyone!

.:B:. · 2011-10-09 21:16:25

The E-350 should be plenty, even for 1080p, with libva. However, your mileage may vary at the moment; the support is not as smooth and stable as nVidia's VDPAU.

graysky · 2011-10-09 21:57:52

+1 for the non-nvidia comment. Intel Atom+9300 onboard (older one, the 330) does 1080p just fine.

Shaika-Dzari · 2011-10-09 23:51:16

Hi .:B:. and graysky,

.:B:. wrote:

your mileage may vary at the moment

So what you mean is : it will work but this is not as polish as an Atom / Nvidia solution ?
Any example to what is not working right now ?

Thanks!

graysky · 2011-10-10 00:03:08

Nothing I can say from first experience. VDPAU is pretty mature and works well, why gamble?

Shaika-Dzari · 2011-10-10 00:16:38

graysky wrote:

Nothing I can say from first experience. VDPAU is pretty mature and works well, why gamble?

I have an nvidia card in my desktop and VPAU is not working (hardlock after 10 sec. in mplayer...)

This is the first time I build an HTPC and most review of AMD APU I saw on the net were really positive. I don't necessarily want to gamble...
Building an HTPC is much more harder than a standard desktop.

signor_rossi · 2011-10-12 07:51:36

BTW, the newer AMD APU E-450 is already out and has some minor but probably worthwhile improvements. If you want to get some more info about Linux driver support for these APUs phoronix.com might be the place to look.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-10-09 20:28:46

HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

#2 2011-10-09 21:16:25

Re: HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

#3 2011-10-09 21:57:52

Re: HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

#4 2011-10-09 23:51:16

Re: HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

#5 2011-10-10 00:03:08

Re: HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

#6 2011-10-10 00:16:38

Re: HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

#7 2011-10-12 07:51:36

Re: HTPC with Archlinux : what do you think?

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