Project Titch (Tiny AMD APU HTPC)

jcbiddulph · April 21, 2015

Hi all!

This is my first build log ever (not first build), the plan for this build was to build a tiny HTPC which could be used for mild gaming. Also one that could be built very cheaply at first and upgraded in the future.

All the parts I need I either already have or they have been ordered. Lets start with the current parts list:

- MSI A88XI AC - Bought used on ebay for £45 (A steal when new they're £70-80!) Arrived

- AMD A6 6400K - Cheap at £33.53 from Ebuyer and plenty (for now) for watching 1080p videos Arrived

- 2x2GB Samsung 1333mhz RAM - Left over from my main rig when I upgraded

- 250gb 2.5" HDD - Taken from my now unused ASUS eee 1201n

For the case I went with the CiT MTX-007B for a number reasons. One because it is one of the smallest cases that I could fit a decently powered APU with ease and two, the fact that the HDD and ODD are put beneath the motherboard, I hate the idea of having the space above the processor blocked from airflow. It is also rather cheap at £42.37 Delivered. I'll hopefully be doing a review of this case when I'm done as I can't seem to find a full one anywhere for this case! Arrived

Eventually there will be upgrades to this, going to an A10 65w processor, 8gb of fast RAM, larger HDD (Maybe SSHD) and a slimline bluray player, but for now it will do.

So far the build has cost me £120.90

This is my first time building an ITX pc so I thought it would be interesting to share the experience! Let me know what you guys think.

Jack.EXE · April 22, 2015

Cant wait to see this!

jcbiddulph · April 23, 2015

Hi again!

So, the parts have arrived, and it has all been put together!

All the parts together and ready to be assembled. Turns out my dad had a spare 320gb HDD so no need to take the old laptop apart.

The tiny motherboard in all of its glory!

Motherboard side of the case

ODD/HDD side with the cages, clever system for a cheap case they slide and click in, then have a single screw to hold it in place.

Everything installed! All in all the process wasn't hard and didn't take long at all. The PSU in the case wont be the highest of quality but the cables coming out of it are pretty much perfect in length, just enough slack to route round the edge, the front panel connectors however i feel are about twice as long as they should be.