Linux HTPC for emulating - Need hardware recommendations

[StarsMars]

I've been out of the hardware scene for a little while.

I want to build an HTPC to play emulated games, blue rays and some web browsing. It will be hooked up to a 4k 60hz TV.

Probably going to try SteamOS

 

I'm not sure what is good value hardware for something like this. Looking to do this as a fun project without going crazy on the budget. Hopefully keep it under $400 with the parts needed.

 

• What's a used AMD gpu for good value?
• What's a CPU and ITX motherboard combo for good value?
• I have an ATX psu to use. 650w.
• I'll probably pick up some silverstone case new. Looking at the Milo 12. If I'm feeling wild, a Silverstone FLP-01.

Please and thanks.

 

 

[OddOod]

400 all in for a SFF is unlikely to work very well. You will absolutely not be getting a dGPU and instead using one of AMD's G series processors

Both of your cases cost north of 100$ which is a quarter of your budget. 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WQVxRV

[StarsMars]

53 minutes ago, OddOod said:

400 all in for a SFF is unlikely to work very well. You will absolutely not be getting a dGPU and instead using one of AMD's G series processors

I need a used gpu, case, used cpu/mobo and a cheap 1tb nvme. I think that's possible.

It's running 4k 60hz so the cpu doesn't need to be anything crazy. I might just upgrade my desktop from 3700x to 5700x3d and use the old 3700x.

[Blue4130]

6 hours ago, StarsMars said:

I've been out of the hardware scene for a little while.

I want to build an HTPC to play emulated games, blue rays and some web browsing. It will be hooked up to a 4k 60hz TV.

Probably going to try SteamOS

 

I'm not sure what is good value hardware for something like this. Looking to do this as a fun project without going crazy on the budget. Hopefully keep it under $400 with the parts needed.

 

• What's a used AMD gpu for good value?
• What's a CPU and ITX motherboard combo for good value?
• I have an ATX psu to use. 650w.
• I'll probably pick up some silverstone case new. Looking at the Milo 12. If I'm feeling wild, a Silverstone FLP-01.

Please and thanks.

 

 

What emulators are you wanting to run? Most are CPU based and not reliant on GPU are they not?

[StarsMars]

1 hour ago, Blue4130 said:

What emulators are you wanting to run? Most are CPU based and not reliant on GPU are they not?

Well the gpu would be for the steam games. But that raises a question.

If I'm using a cpu with no integrated graphics and a gpu, will the emulated games not run? I haven't messed with emulation much.

Basically, do I still need integrated graphics either way?

[Blue4130]

26 minutes ago, StarsMars said:

Well the gpu would be for the steam games. But that raises a question.

If I'm using a cpu with no integrated graphics and a gpu, will the emulated games not run? I haven't messed with emulation much.

Basically, do I still need integrated graphics either way?

Huh? No, they will still run. You will have one CPU and one GPU regardless of if it is integrated or discrete.

[RaidonChrome]

I feel like your plan is solid, 3700X is plenty good for emulation, even things like PS3. Milo 12 also looks like a great pick. As for the GPU - the used Radeon VII is very cheap these days, I've seen them go for $250, and as a good value goes - that card is a hidden gem. If I had to build a PC on a tight budget it would've been one of my top pics. And for emulation specifically Vega architecture always offers some edge over others due to the HBM memory - an extra huge framebuffer helps a ton.

[StarsMars]

15 hours ago, RaidonChrome said:

I feel like your plan is solid, 3700X is plenty good for emulation, even things like PS3. Milo 12 also looks like a great pick. As for the GPU - the used Radeon VII is very cheap these days, I've seen them go for $250, and as a good value goes - that card is a hidden gem. If I had to build a PC on a tight budget it would've been one of my top pics. And for emulation specifically Vega architecture always offers some edge over others due to the HBM memory - an extra huge framebuffer helps a ton.

Thank you.

I've been looking at rx 6600 and 7600 for about $170-220. Would you still recommend Radeon Vii over that?

[RaidonChrome]

8 hours ago, StarsMars said:

Thank you.

I've been looking at rx 6600 and 7600 for about $170-220. Would you still recommend Radeon Vii over that?

VII over 6600, but with 7600 - they're pretty well matched, however, VII would have twice the ram without any raytracing. Since you brought up emulation as your primary goal - VII would be better for that. But for modern games, 7600 is a better choice.

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, RaidonChrome said:

VII over 6600, but with 7600 - they're pretty well matched, however, VII would have twice the ram without any raytracing. Since you brought up emulation as your primary goal - VII would be better for that. But for modern games, 7600 is a better choice.

Do you really need a 300w gpu for a htpc emulation box? I honestly don't know how much gpu is needed. I know a many emulators are cpu bound.

[RaidonChrome]

3 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

Do you really need a 300w gpu for a htpc emulation box? I honestly don't know how much gpu is needed. I know a many emulators are cpu bound.

You don't need it, but it is the best value I can come up with. You can underclock it easily too, but PS3 emulation would be really happy with all that compute.

[StarsMars]

9 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

Do you really need a 300w gpu for a htpc emulation box? I honestly don't know how much gpu is needed. I know a many emulators are cpu bound.

I'm planning on SteamOS. Meaning I will also have my steam games.

 

10 hours ago, RaidonChrome said:

VII over 6600, but with 7600 - they're pretty well matched, however, VII would have twice the ram without any raytracing. Since you brought up emulation as your primary goal - VII would be better for that. But for modern games, 7600 is a better choice.

I'm looking at picking up a 7600 on marketplace for under 200.  Seems like a crazy deal considering the market.

 

I'll post some pics once I make the purchases and put it together.