Jump to content

Must-Have's for a Windows-Based HTPC?

Henry
By Henry
in New Builds and Planning
 Share
Posted

What are some must have software I should have? I am planning a Haswell celeron build btw. Might add discrete graphics with a gtx 950 or equivalent later down the road for folding and better light gaming.

Planned Software Already: 
Steam with Steam Big Picture with a "plugin" to access a Kodi shortcut + add my emulated games library to Steam big picture
Kodi (mentioned above) (i'd love kodi-addon suggestions if u guys have any)

Plex


Planned Accessories:

Xbox One Controller

 

Folding for LTT since April 2016.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

There's a plugin for Kodi so you can use Netflix. Also, I'd recommend a Steam controller instead, since you can use it as a mouse.

Spoiler

Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

Spoiler

TruPureX, Asus Zenwatch 3.

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

There's also a plugin for Kodi where you can watch free movies... no need for Netflix.

i5-4690k@4.5GHz || MSI GTX 970 || MSI z97 Gaming 5 || NZXT Kraken x61 || WD Black 1TB || Crucial MX100 || 8GB Corsair Vengeance Pro || Corsair RM750 || NZXT H440 || Corsair k70 RGB mx browns || Acer H236HL || ViewSonic VX2255wm-4

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Smooth Video Project, needs a powerful cpu tho.  And if you are using windows 10 with nvidia gpu, you will get bad performance, so AMD gpu or intel igpu is required.

EDIT: nvm, it requires a non-official version of kodi, so unless u are using media player classic/potplayer its probably not going to work. VLC support hasn't been added yet.

hello!

is it me you're looking for?

ᴾC SᴾeCS ᴰoWᴺ ᴮEᴸoW

Spoiler

Desktop: X99-PC

CPU: i7 5820k

Mobo: X99 Deluxe

Cooler: Dark Rock Pro 3

RAM: 32GB DDR4
GPU: GTX 1080

Storage: 1TB 850 Evo, 1TB HDD, bunch of external hard drives
PSU: EVGA G2 750w

Peripherals: Logitech G502, Ducky One 711

Audio: Xonar U7, O2 amplifier (RIP), HD6XX

Monitors: 4k 24" Dell monitor, 1080p 24" Asus monitor

 

Laptop:

-Overkill Dell XPS

Fully maxed out early 2017 Dell XPS 15, GTX 1050 4GB, 7700HQ, 1TB nvme SSD, 32GB RAM, 4k display. 97Whr battery :x 
Dell was having a $600 off sale for the fully specced out model, so I decided to get it :P

 

-Crapbook

Fully specced out early 2013 Macbook "pro" with gt 650m and constant 105c temperature on the CPU (GPU is 80-90C) when doing anything intensive...

A 2013 laptop with a regular sized battery still has better battery life than a 2017 laptop with a massive battery! I think this is a testament to apple's ability at making laptops, or maybe how little CPU technology has improved even 4+ years later (at least, until the recent introduction of 15W 4 core CPUs). Anyway, I'm never going to get a 35W CPU laptop again unless battery technology becomes ~5x better than as it is in 2018.

Apple knows how to make proper consumer-grade laptops (they don't know how to make pro laptops though). I guess this mostly software power efficiency related, but getting a mac makes perfect sense if you want a portable/powerful laptop that can do anything you want it to with great battery life.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

EmulationStation as a frontend.

Emulators with proper setups.

 

Works great with my G3258 even for PS2/GC/Wii games.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
8 minutes ago, EarthboundHero said:

There's a plugin for Kodi so you can use Netflix. Also, I'd recommend a Steam controller instead, since you can use it as a mouse.

You don't really need a mouse for Steam Big Picture. That's the point of big picture :P

Xbox One Controller master race. Can't wait to play Rocket League on my TV on my HTPC.

Folding for LTT since April 2016.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
Just now, Henry said:

You don't really need a mouse for Steam Big Picture. That's the point of big picture :P

Xbox One Controller master race. Can't wait to play Rocket League on my TV on my HTPC.

For other things, so you can use a web browser for YouTube or Netflix or anything else.

Spoiler

Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

Spoiler

TruPureX, Asus Zenwatch 3.

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
14 minutes ago, EarthboundHero said:

For other things, so you can use a web browser for YouTube or Netflix or anything else.

Eh I'd rather just use a wireless keyboard and mouse for that since Xbox controller is a ton better (for most games) than Steam controller.

Folding for LTT since April 2016.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing New Builds and Planning

×