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In this exclusive post, I’m sharing some additional lessons learned based on my experience with the recent reference HTPC builds. These tips complement my Lessons Learned eBook, which I have shared with you earlier (download eBook here).
I will share some insights about positive air pressure inside a case and why you should own a thin magnetized Phillips screwdriver.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own.
Use the right tools
When building my latest performance HTPC using Silverstone ML07 case, it was really frustrating attaching the PSU holder back to the case without having a thin magnetized Phillips screwdriver as the screws were in difficult places. So, save your nerves and get a thin magnetized Phillips screwdriver.
Secondly, it is a good idea to have placeholders for all the tiny screws, because otherwise you will easily waste time searching for the lost screws.
Positive air pressure inside the case prevents dust build up
Keeping your HTPC quiet means that you need to pay special attention to cooling. In my value and performance builds, I have paid special attention to have positive air pressure inside the case to improve cooling and prevent dust build up.
When intake fan’s combined airflow is greater than exhaust, a positive pressure is created inside the case.
For example, in my performance build, I installed Noctua’s case fan on the intake side of the Silverstone ML07 case above the CPU cooler pushing air in. This also helps the CPU cooler run quieter. Then, I installed the Noctua case fans on the GPU side to push air into the case.
So, as case fans are all set as intake with filters, this creates positive pressure in the case and forces air out of the many vents of the case. This prevents dust build up as no unfiltered air gets inside the case.
Troubleshooting tips after finishing your build
So, you finished your HTPC build, put the case cover back in place, plugged in the power cord and pressed the power button. Then, nothing happens. Don’t worry, this has happened to me as well. Before you return your components back to the store, these troubleshooting questions may help you.
– Did you plug in both CPU and motherboard power cables?
– Did you connect front panel’s power connections properly?
– Did you push memory cards to their slots properly?
– Did you install the CPU chip with a proper alignment?
Pay attention to GPU’s deinterlacing capability
I have noticed that several Intel HD graphics chips do not have good hardware deinterlacing capability that is needed, for example, when watching recorded TV shows. It does not really matter on faster Intel Core i3 and i5 CPUs as they are powerful enough to do software decoding of the interlaced video.
However, this is good to know if you are considering getting Intel NUC Bay Trail that does not have good hardware deinterlacing capability and the CPU is not able to do software decoding well. So, if you would like to watch videos that need deinterlacing, I would recommend AMD APUS such as AMD A6-6400K or AMD Athlon 5350 that both have good deinterlacing capability according to my tests.
Remote controlling made easy
HDMI CEC
HDMI CEC is the simplest way to control your HTPC. If your TV supports HDMI CEC, then I would certainly recommend getting Pulse Eight’s HDMI CEC USB adapter. If you are using Raspberry Pi, you will get the HDMI CEC support out of the box without additional hardware needed.
Flirc
However, if your TV does not support HDMI CEC, then a Flirc remote control adapter is the best choice. Many of my readers have been wondering how I use the Flirc adapter with my value build (Silverstone GD06 case) that has no visible USB slots on the front. The trick is to use a USB extender cable and place the Flirc adapter under the TV to get optimal line of sight operation.
New keyboard and mouse recommendation
With regards to the keyboard and mouse, I have been recommending Logitech K400 keyboard and mouse combo for the past year. It is still my recommendation for the lower cost builds, but if you want to get even more stylish and high quality keyboard and mouse combo that fits well in your living room, I would strongly recommend checking out Logitech K830 keyboard and touch mouse. I am using this Logitech K830 in my value and performance builds as well.
What’s next?
I hope you have found these exclusive tips useful when planning to build your first HTPC or upgrading some new components.
Last, but certainly not least, continue checking out my latest 2015 reference HTPC builds I have built myself, if you have not already.