Prospective HTPC build

[Azgoth 2]

So I'm looking to build a budget, very low-power, low-noise, physically small HTPC.  I'll be loading it up with Linux (probably Mint or Lubuntu) and using it almost exclusively for streaming (Netflix/YouTube/etc), audio playback (through stereo), and DVD/Blu-Ray playback.  I'm aware of the various issues associated with Blu-Ray playback on Linux, but I'm going to give it a shot anyways.

 

Parts list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD 5350 2.05Ghz Quad-Core Processor  ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Alpine M1 - Passive Fanless CPU Cooler  ($10.05 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock AM1H-ITX Mini ITX AM1 Motherboard  ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($18.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Inwin BP655.FH300TB3 Mini ITX Tower Case w/300W Power Supply  ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($46.85 @ OutletPC)
Total: $322.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-17 21:12 EDT-0400

 

I might use a DC power brick rather than the case's own PSU, since the mobo supports it and that supposedly draws less power than using a computer PSU.  Does anyone spot some possible issues, or does this look good?  I'm mostly wondering if I should consider an inexpensive graphics card, or if the APU will cut it for video playback.

[Mr.Lonewalker]

12 minutes ago, Azgoth 2 said:

So I'm looking to build a budget, very low-power, low-noise, physically small HTPC.  I'll be loading it up with Linux (probably Mint or Lubuntu) and using it almost exclusively for streaming (Netflix/YouTube/etc), audio playback (through stereo), and DVD/Blu-Ray playback.  I'm aware of the various issues associated with Blu-Ray playback on Linux, but I'm going to give it a shot anyways.

 

Parts list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD 5350 2.05Ghz Quad-Core Processor  ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Alpine M1 - Passive Fanless CPU Cooler  ($10.05 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock AM1H-ITX Mini ITX AM1 Motherboard  ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($18.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Inwin BP655.FH300TB3 Mini ITX Tower Case w/300W Power Supply  ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($46.85 @ OutletPC)
Total: $322.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-17 21:12 EDT-0400

 

I might use a DC power brick rather than the case's own PSU, since the mobo supports it and that supposedly draws less power than using a computer PSU.  Does anyone spot some possible issues, or does this look good?  I'm mostly wondering if I should consider an inexpensive graphics card, or if the APU will cut it for video playback.

A possible problem could be the cooler, havent' looked more into it, but it states on pcpartpicker.com " Unable to verify the Inwin BP655.FH300TB3 Mini ITX Tower Case w/300W Power Supply and the ARCTIC Alpine M1 - Passive Fanless CPU Cooler are compatible. "

[Azgoth 2]

3 minutes ago, Mr.Lonewalker said:

A possible problem could be the cooler, havent' looked more into it, but it states on pcpartpicker.com " Unable to verify the Inwin BP655.FH300TB3 Mini ITX Tower Case w/300W Power Supply and the ARCTIC Alpine M1 - Passive Fanless CPU Cooler are compatible. "

Ah, I had missed that note.  I'll poke around.  Worst case (heh), I guess I get a different case.

[RezidentSeagull]

3 minutes ago, Mr.Lonewalker said:

A possible problem could be the cooler, havent' looked more into it, but it states on pcpartpicker.com " Unable to verify the Inwin BP655.FH300TB3 Mini ITX Tower Case w/300W Power Supply and the ARCTIC Alpine M1 - Passive Fanless CPU Cooler are compatible. "

Just to add to what @Mr.Lonewalker said, you should definitely check for size clearance for that cooler. I've been eyeballing that exact cooler myself, and it is a rather tall cooler

[Electronics Wizardy]

25 minutes ago, Azgoth 2 said:

So I'm looking to build a budget, very low-power, low-noise, physically small HTPC.  I'll be loading it up with Linux (probably Mint or Lubuntu) and using it almost exclusively for streaming (Netflix/YouTube/etc), audio playback (through stereo), and DVD/Blu-Ray playback.  I'm aware of the various issues associated with Blu-Ray playback on Linux, but I'm going to give it a shot anyways.

 

Parts list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD 5350 2.05Ghz Quad-Core Processor  ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Alpine M1 - Passive Fanless CPU Cooler  ($10.05 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock AM1H-ITX Mini ITX AM1 Motherboard  ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($18.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Inwin BP655.FH300TB3 Mini ITX Tower Case w/300W Power Supply  ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($46.85 @ OutletPC)
Total: $322.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-17 21:12 EDT-0400

 

I might use a DC power brick rather than the case's own PSU, since the mobo supports it and that supposedly draws less power than using a computer PSU.  Does anyone spot some possible issues, or does this look good?  I'm mostly wondering if I should consider an inexpensive graphics card, or if the APU will cut it for video playback.

Id look at a intel j1900. Lower power and passive heatsink built in