I agree that htpc is very versatile. Thats why I am having one at home too. But after playing around with XBMC, I noticed the major problem is to scrape the movie info etc.... its hard to get it right, and some are not available... (not to mention initial version 10 of XMBC which crashed my htpc, but improve a lot after the updates, but still do).

Can I ask if we were to upgrade the HTPC to 3D capable in future, do we have to up the basic spec of the HTPC itself other than the graphic card?

I need to change my HTPC motherboard.

May I ask the experienced forumner here which of the mobo comes with integrated Graphic chip that's able to decode 3D and comes with HDMI 1.4 ?

Can the latest E350 (AMD fusion) Mobo able to decode 3D graphics ?

Thanks for any input.

Thanks for that.

Stan, not that advance actually, but I need to donate the existing HTPC Mobo to office unit as emergency mobo replacement. So that open up my HTPC for 'upgrades'.

I do consider the AMD fusion mobo with passive cooling etc. But reading through some latest stuff if I can get the mobo ready for 3D, I would say why not?

AMD Fusion comes with Radeon HD 6310, more than enough for video playback. But I am not so sure about HD-DTS pass through functionality though. Certainly no word about 3D capability also.

Thanks. Will take note of it. Now I am just waiting for the news on the release of AMD Llano fusion chipset to see how much they would cost. If not this E350 fusion will be on the top priority.

Now shortlisting one of the options for my 1st HTPC upgrade:

1. A near silent HTPC based on E350 built (using Asus mATX mobo E35M1-M Pro), with possible SSD HD, plus minus fanless PSU. I have to use mATX as I already have an old mATX casing. Or else I would have opt for E25M1-I Deluxe, which is designed as fanless). If i were to opt for this, this will be my first Fanless 0dB HTPC design.

2. Compromise on being silent, use the latest Llano A75 chipset (likely to be just A6), and a mATX mobo. PSU, hardisk will be using my old ones. SSD maybe an option, but may not be essential as the original mobo will not be silent anyway.


My option 2 is in simply because I may use the HTPC for occasional surfing, movie encoding etc. Its rare event but I still do.

Stan, what would you do in this situation?

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Updated 11 July 2011

I ended up getting a Gigabyte A75M-D2H and A6 chip. Couldn't get any info on the slower A6 3600, so got a 3650 instead. Give up on the silent option of my earlier plan.

This post has been edited by peter32: Jul 11 2011, 12:12 PM

Upgrade the ATI catalyst firmware immediately. If you don't, you will see flickering screen when idle. AMD solved the problem with the latest driver software from the AMD site.

I have recently purchased a unit of Seasonic X400 from CEX. Not sure if your casing fits it, but it sure does work like a charm. I have also opted for almost silent built gradually. Before that I have used a Be-Quiet 450W PSU which is actually not bad, quite silent in prolonged use as well.

You can contact CEX about the PSU and nego a right price with him.

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Sorry I just google your casing and agreed that your casing does not fit an X400 fanless PSU. The vent hole on the PSU must be on top, and you are not supposed to flip it upside down.

After I install the PSU, noticed a small noise mainly from the only one Case Fan (running Noctua 12') and from the hardisk ! Perhaps only the SSD will eliminate my HTPC noise.

Here's my exchange with some forumner about the built and the almost fanless CPU cooler conversation HERE.

This post has been edited by peter32: Oct 10 2011, 07:23 PM

Stan, quite recently I disccused the cpu fan noise issue with other forumner, and he intro Noctua NH-C12P SE14 replacing my stock cpu cooling unit.

Although the Noctua do come with 14' noctua fan, i actually install the cooler without the fan, and it can sustain the temperature very well with or without fan, even if I stress the cpu with 100% load test.

You may want to look into the noctua cpu cooler itself.

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Added on October 11, 2011, 12:26 pmJagung, I saw the silverstone casing photo online, and notice that the psu area do not come with top ventilation for the PSU. Maybe thats the reason the PSU fan has to go at top speed to cool it.



This post has been edited by peter32: Oct 11 2011, 12:26 PM

Agree. Remove the filter. It restricts airflow.

I actually got as a used unit. About 200ish. The Noctua fan can be used for other purpose too .

I am having an AMD Fusion A6 built with gigabyte mobo. It runs full HD movie on my 46' LED LCD without any problem. Fusion built will be able to fit your budget I think. But do spend some more money to have at least a 4 or 6GB RAM min. with 1333Hz speed.

My remote look almost the same. So it should be able to control XBMC. But there is a "Home" button, whenever I pressed it, it will turn on the window Media Center by default. I suppose we will need to configure Event Ghost to turn that thing off. Too bad I don't know how...

Any sifu can show me how to use event ghost to turn 'home' button into displaying XBMC instead?

I bought from lowyat forum long ago, now I have lost the url link already.

I tried colour button but its not working. I guess they all need to be configured. Not all button work the way it is. But all that can be configured for sure.

Have you thought of using window media center instead?

Great combo. It will surely be truly fan's free set up. Do take note on casing ventilation for this set up. Sorry I am unable to recommend casing for now..

Finally the latest XBMC Eden (v.11) has been released.

Time to do the upgrade and see. Highly recommended to all HTPC enthusiasts here.

Yet to find out if it can read Bluray disc.

LINK to XBMC

You may want to look at XMBCbuntu, a dedicated linux backboned media player. I have tried to install on an unused PC a few weeks ago, seems pretty ok. But I am not sure whether your asus can be supported.

It boots straight into XBMC interface. At the same time, if you feel like it, you may also exit into ubuntu interface to surf net.

Worth looking at.

I have a MCE remote for quite a while. Does anyone know how to configure the 'home' button to start XBMC instead of Window Media Center in Windows 7 ?

The usual Event Ghost only manage to configure it to use it on XBMC. Not to start the XBMC.

matamatarahsia, here's the order of preference about the audio:

1. Best is to use HDMI for the lossless output.
2. If no HDMI, consider digital output to an Amp for decoding.
3. If still no HDMI or digital output, then only consider a soundcard for audio output to an Amp,
4. If still don't have Amp, then use only computer speakers. Thats last resort.
5. Headphone.

Stan did you try it yourself ?