Build Your Own HTPC Cheat Sheet

Before you proceed in selecting the parts, you should stop and think about how you intend to use your home theater computer.

You should focus on the key use of your HTPC, e.g., is it a media streamer, media server or gaming HTPC. You will need to know this in order to decide on the type of parts you need.

Here are few questions you may want to contemplate:

Principles for selecting HTPC parts

Selecting your own parts and building your own home theater computer allows you get the most performance and quality you can within your desired budget.

Here are some principles you should follow to make the system as quiet and power efficient as possible.

Start with your case form factor size
Choose a CPU with a max TDP of no more than 65 watts
Go for the largest CPU cooler possible
Choose affordable RAM memory modules
Solid state drive will generate less heat
Choose a graphic card only for gaming
Opt for a high quality power supply
Optical disc drive is not necessarily needed anymore
HDHomeRun is the best network attached TV tuner
Flirc is the easiest way to control your HTPC

Your HTPC is an ever-growing project that needs updating from time to time. Do not try to finish this project on the spot, because you will most probably be upgrading it after a while.

So, let’s dive in to these principles.

Start with your case form factor size

Selecting a HTPC case may be trickier than you might think. You need to know whether or not the case fits the dimensions of your TV cabinet and if the CPU cooler, power supply, graphics card (if you use HTPC for gaming), and TV tuner card (if internal TV tuner card is needed) will fit inside the enclosure.

A case form factor means the physical dimensions of a system.

In practice, the motherboard form factor defines the size of the case you can use, so choose the motherboard and CPU first.

The most popular form factors among HTPC users are ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX.

The following image illustrates the different form factor sizes.

ATX: 305mm x 244mm (12.00 x 9.60)
Micro ATX: 244mm x 244mm (9.60 x 9.60)
Mini ITX: 170mm x 170mm (6.70 x 6.70)

The mini-ITX case is the smallest option, but also offers the least expansibility and has limited cooling options.

However, if you have a limited space on your TV cabinet or you want to hide the computer behind your TV, then a mini-ITX case is a good choice.

A micro ATX case form factor is about the same size as a stereo receiver, so it fits nicely into the living room design. The micro ATX case is a good choice if you want to build a completely silent HTPC as there you will have a wide range of options, and you do not need to make too many compromises in terms of heat generation.

An ATX case is a good choice if you want to build a gaming HTPC as you do not need to make too many compromises in terms of heat generation and you will have enough space for a large graphics card.

Please note that often stock case fans are too noisy, so you should use quality brands such as Noctua 120 mm fans as they move air much efficiently with less noise compared to smaller fans. Dust filters are also great for keeping the HTPC clean.

Tip: When considering a case form factor, it is good to keep in mind that smaller mini ITX form factor cases usually have smaller fans which are louder than the larger ones used in micro ATX and ATX cases. A larger case also means that you can have a better airflow and room for more hard drives and other peripherals.

Choose a CPU with a max TDP of no more than 65 watts

When choosing a processor, it is advisable to check not only the performance but also its Thermal Design Power (TDP) and power consumption.

The TDP describes the maximum amount of power the cooling system in a computer is required to dissipate. You should choose a low-TDP processor with a max TDP (Thermal Design Power) of no more than 65 watts.

The low-power CPU runs at reduced voltages and emits less heat which requires less cooling.

However, it is recommended to go with a “more than adequate” CPU for a HTPC, because a more powerful, 65W TDP CPU at 10% load will dissipate less heat than a less powerful, 45W TDP CPU at 80% load.

Please note that it is better to wait at least 6 months after the release of a new processor. For example, when I first purchased AMD A6-6400K Richland processor, it was not supported by the latest OpenELEC operating system at that time, but I needed to find a special OpenELEC version that included the necessary drivers. Nowadays, it works flawlessly with the latest versions of OpenELEC.

Intel Haswell processors are currently the best choice when it comes to performance and power efficiency. The recommended Intel Haswell options are Intel Core i3-4130T (35W TDP) and Intel Core i5-4570S (65W TDP).

Intel Haswell has been adapted specifically for HTPCs with video playback improvements in deinterlacing, frame rate conversion (refresh rate precision is finally where it should be) and better 4K ultra HD support.

In case you are wondering, different numbers in Intel Core i3 and i5 often indicate what processor clock speeds they are using, which Intel HD graphics model and whether the voltage has been adjusted or not.

The letters at the end of Intel Core processor models mean whether it is possible to overclock the processor or whether the processor has already being underclocked for better power efficiency. For example, I prefer using T- and S-models in the Intel Haswell line up as they are undervolted and underclocked meaning that they require less power and thus less cooling.

If you want to have cheaper alternatives, the recommended AMD APUs are AMD AM1 Athlon 5350 (25W TDP) and AMD A6-6400K (65W TDP).

In addition to the processor, the other important purchase you should focus on is the motherboard because it will make or break the performance of all the components that will be attached later.

The type of motherboard you choose will depend on the CPU chipset you choose. For Intel Haswell, I would recommend getting H97 or Z97 series motherboards. For AMD Richland, you should get AMD FM2 or the newer FM2+ motherboard.

In addition, you should choose a motherboard with at least two connectors for controlling case fans.

Tip: If you want to use your HTPC as a media server, you should get Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or better processor to be able to transcode HD video with Plex Media Server to other devices.

Go for the largest CPU cooler possible

When choosing a CPU cooler, go for the largest cooler possible that will fit in your case.

Normally, larger fans can operate at lower RPMs, which minimize noise while concurrently providing enough airflow for both the CPU and graphics processor unit.

To strike a balance between noise and cooling, you should ensure your case has a number of low noise fans it can support.

Stock CPU coolers come free with your CPU but are often too noisy for HTPC use. Intel Haswell’s S- (power saving) and T- (thin chassis) models have slightly quieter cooling fans, but they still are not on par with the best coolers.

I would recommend getting an aftermarket CPU cooler such as Noctua NH-L9A (AMD), NH-L9I (Intel) or Scythe Big Shuriken 2 (AMD or Intel), which are designed to be quiet.

It is important to install the aftermarket CPU cooler with the motherboard outside the case as the cooler retention plate mounts underneath the motherboard.

Tip: SpeedFan is an hardware monitoring software that is able to change fan speeds according to system temperatures. In the SpeedFan application, you should look at the Core # for the best temp gauges. The optimal temp is about 5 to 8 degrees warmer than the ambient temp in the room.

Choose affordable RAM memory modules

The most important thing to remember about memory is to get at least 2 GB for Linux and 4 GB for Windows.

The DDR3-1333 MHz and DDR3-1600 MHz RAM memory are supported by most motherboards, and while the 1333 is enough for HTPCs, 1600 is better for overclockers.

You should not use memory modules with heatspreaders, especially with larger CPU coolers as they may not fit under the heatsink. You should use lower voltage memory modules as less power consumption means less cooling is required. This will also save on the electric bill.

Tip: Kingston HyperX Fury is solid memory for a good price. It has very fast performance and a low heat signature. In my opinion 4 GB is enough for most people, but you can get 8GB if you wish.

Solid state drive will generate less heat

Choosing a hard disk drive entails some considerations – noise, capacity, reliability, performance and warranty.

Picking a large hard disk drive may result in more noise and heat, so opt for something that is specifically designed for home theater environment.

A solid state drive can help you shave off several watts per hard drive.

The higher the GB a HDD has, the better. But, the higher the rpm of the HDD and the louder it will be. While hard disk drives are noisier than the processor fan itself, with the decrement of the HDD prices now, you will be able to get a decent hard drive, such as Western Digital Caviar Green with a very good price.

Solid state drives (SSD) are still relatively expensive compared to the traditional hard drives. However, an SSD drive will significantly improve your media center PC’s booting time and application loading time. It’ll also make your computer more power efficient as SSDs consume less power and thus generate less heat.

Tip: Samsung 850 series is the best selling SSD series in the market at the moment. If you want to get faster read/write speeds copared to Kingston, then this drive is very good and popular choice.

Choose a graphic card only for gaming

In the past years, there was bigger difference between discrete graphics cards and integrated graphics cards (discrete graphics card being better), but nowadays with the latest AMD Richland & Kaveri and Intel Haswell chipsets, it starts to be difficult to notice any difference in the picture quality.

For example, I cannot tell any difference in the picture quality on my latest reference HTPCs running with Kodi compared to Nvidia GT430, Radeon HD7750 or GeForce GTX 750 Ti discrete graphics cards.

So, my advice is to start with an integrated graphics card and add a discrete graphics card later if you feel that you will need one. However, it is good to get micro ATX case instead of mini-ITX case if you plan to use a discrete graphics card later.

Choosing the right video card that consumes less power can be difficult as most brands do not provide any power consumption indicator. However, you may choose a small one that is not meant for gaming.

Preferably, the video card should have a passive cooling as a cooling fan will generate some extra noise.

If you are a movie fan and your first priority is to watch movies in good quality through your HTPC then, there is no need for a fancy graphics card that cost you couple of hundreds.

Keep in mind that once you start getting more powerful video cards, the hotter your system will get and the louder those fans will blow. We want to be quiet, don’t we?

Tip: Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti graphics card is excellent choice for silent running gaming HTPCs whilst offering strong performance.

Opt for a high quality power supply

When it comes to selecting a power supply unit, please be aware that larger supplies are usually louder and not suited for HTPC environments.

I would strongly recommend getting a good-quality power supply with an 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum efficiency rating. The better efficiency means less heat. If possible, choose a modular semi-fanless power supply.

Less and flat cables mean less clutter and better air flow. However, be sure to choose a PSU that fits into the case, as modular PSUs are often longer compared to standard ATXs. Smaller SFX PSUs are often used in mini-ITX cases.

Another alternative is a PicoPSU that is small and efficient PSU. You will need to get a PicoPSU and an external AC/DC adapter. I’d recommend PicoPSUs to advanced builders.

Tip: Many Silverstone’s SFX PSUs have an intelligent semi-fanless operation, which means that when used with a low TDP CPU, the fan does not rotate at all keeping the PSU completely silent.

Optical disc drive is not necessarily needed anymore

If you plan on watching any DVDs or saving anything via compact disc, you will need a DVD drive.

The main thing to remember when selecting a DVD drive is that they get more expensive the faster they write data.

You can also include a Blu-ray player in your HTPC, so you can enjoy HD quality movies. If you also like to write Blu-ray discs, e.g. LG Electronics drives come in an affordable choice.

Tip: If you need to install Windows 8.1 or 10, you can use a Windows media creation tool to create your own installation media using a USB flash drive.

HDHomeRun is the best network attached TV tuner

In order to watch live TV, you’ll need a tuner card.

TV tuner recommendation really depends on the country you live in as the TV broadcasting technologies differ from country to country.

For example, I am using a HDHomeRun network attached TV tuner that is based on DVB-C, so it is difficult to give general recommendations for the TV tuner.

Tip: You can choose between three HDHomeRun products: CONNECT, EXTEND, and PRIME. The CONNECT and EXTEND are over-the-air antenna devices, PRIME is a premium cable TV device with full CableCARD conditional access support.

Flirc is the easiest way to control your HTPC

Over the years, I have tried many remote controls and IR receivers, but nothing has ever worked perfectly until I found this combo: Flirc USB adapter and Logitech Harmony Smart remote control.

Flirc learns any remote control so you can use your old IR remote control and map it with the Flirc using a configuration application on Windows and Mac OS X.

I have been testing Raspberry Pi and HTPC with the HDMI CEC adapter to control the Kodi with my TV remote.

While the HDMI CEC adapter works fine for the predefined keys, I needed more flexibility to map custom shortcuts and buttons (e.g., full screen mode) with my remote control.

Furthermore, if you want to use other applications on a Windows-based HTPC, such as Steam Big Picture then, unlike the HDMI CEC adapter, the Flirc allows you to control any application that supports keyboard commands.

Tip: While you can use any remote with Flirc, according to my extensive tests, you can achieve the best user experience with Logitech Harmony Smart Control.