AMD Llano HTPC Builders Guide
by Ganesh T S on June 5, 2012 8:02 AM ESTIn this buyer's guide, we have taken a look at the options available to readers setting out to build a Llano based HTPC. At AnandTech, we recognize that our readers have varied requirements when looking at a buyer's guide. We've tried to provide several options built around the Llano platform to satisfy those needs.
Personally, all of my media is streamed off a NAS and I have a Smart TV. My requirements from a HTPC would just be a low power front-end to play files off my NAS using XBMC, JRiver Media Center 17, or some other similar software. I could build a system fitting my requirements by selecting components from those presented in the previous pages and present the total cost to the readers, but that is bound to invite comments from irate readers who have other requirements. Hence, we will just leave it to readers to pick and choose components from those listed throughout the article. I have also not discussed general HTPC add-ons such as capture cards and TV tuners, which are not required by all HTPC builders.
Before concluding the piece, I would like to link to our review of Llano from a HTPC perspective. The good news is that many of the issues cited have been fixed. However, the integrated GPU is still not powerful enough for 1080p60 H.264 decoding. If your usage scenario involves playback of such files, it is strongly suggested that one of the quad core APUs be picked up so that you have enough oomph for multi-threaded software decode. High quality madVR rendering is not possible with the integrated GPU, nor is possible with the Intel Sandy Bridge HD 2000/HD 3000 series. You'll need a more potent discrete GPU to help with such scenarios.
Ultimately, it is important for any HTPC system builder to be fully aware of the capabilities--and limitations--of Llano APUs before embarking on this sort of build. In this buyer's guide, I have not touched upon the usage of APUs complementary to the Llano such as the E-350 (Zacate). They make very good platforms for low power NAS systems and media storage servers, but they struggle with the more demanding (and esoteric) video formats. Depending on reader interest, we may cover such platforms at a later date. In the meantime, readers are invited to use the comments section to discuss their existing or planned HTPC builds.
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iTzSnypah - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I didn't like how you flipped the point of the article. You start off by stating AMD APU's make good budget HTPC's. However then you recommend a $130 Seasonic PSU that is 80+ gold. For $70 you can buy a Rosewill Capstone PSU that is also 80+ gold. Building with these expensive components makes building on AMD silly, even for HTPC.ganeshts - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I also recommended a $38 Antec PSU.Note that the everything other than the mobo and the APU itself can be used for a build further down (maybe the budget builder wants to move on to a premium HTPC). I always suggest picking components which will serve their purpose for at least two or three builds / upgrades.
edge929 - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Trinity is just around the corner so unless you're not planning to game, it's better to wait. Trinity should also drop the prices on Llano chips if you can wait ~1 month.silverblue - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Trinity has reportedly been delayed until September (if you believe semiaccurate.com, that is)...randinspace - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I use mine for writing novels that never make me any money since it's the only "desktop" PC I have or frankly even need ATM :PFor those who haven't tried it, you can write a novel on just about anything that uses a real keyboard (ex: docked ASUS Transformer, iPad with bluetooth keyboard, that 7 year old Centrino laptop you bought with your student loan...) these days as long as you stick with it, but productivity tends to suffer more when your biggest potential distraction changes from a game of FreeCell to an entire TV series at your fingertips.
Back on topic: great article Ganesh. Having lived in a metaphorical cave for 5 straight years (aforementioned Centrino laptop, which in its defense at least has a better looking if not higher resolution LCD than a lot of stuff on the market these days) I hardly even knew what I was missing out on until I stumbled upon one of your HTPC guides.
jeffkro - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I have the 100W llano HTPC and a really recomend sticking with the 65W. The stock fan for the 100W is pretty loud even when the mobo lowers the speed.ashvagan - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Would you review the low budget ones and see if they can run the usual 720p stuff just fine? Which ones are recommended really?ganeshts - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Zacate is OK for 720p / 1080p24 stuff. But, it struggles with deinterlacing (even for SD content):http://www.anandtech.com/show/5738/zotac-zbox-nano...
I wouldn't advise Zacate for media PC (except if usecase is something like a hotel setup where the type of content being played back is known beforehand -- say, always 1080p24 H.264 with compliant profile or something like that).. As I mentioned in the concluding remarks, Zacate is more efficient for use in headless setups (i.e, running as a media server or storage server platform, where low power is useful). Unfortunately, the GPU prowess of the Zacate is just not needed there.
wiyosaya - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
As an activity that I would like to do would be recording HDMI to some medium, in particular, Blu-ray or hard-disk.There are several HDMI capture cards on the market that would allow recording from HDMI sources such as satellite or cable set-top boxes, or other playback devices such as Blu-ray players.
If the content protection bit is not set by the content provider, this should be easily accomplished.
I see such recording falling under "fair use" rules when it is for personal use, i.e., viewing in your own home for not-for-profit uses.
Such capability is one big hole in the market, IMHO, and there is no sign that stand-alone Blu-ray recorders will ever come to market, and those very few from JVC that are already available do not have HDMI inputs.
Casper42 - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Why would you want to drink from a fire hose?HDMI is a display protocol and as such is very high bandwidth.
Cable, Sat and even Blu-Ray have much lower bandwidth requirements before decoding.
Why wouldn't you instead want to find a solution to convert/capture the incoming stream rather than the outgoing display?
ATI cracked open the door to M Card powered Cable tuning and Silicon Dust is fairly well received as well.
Blu Rays can be easily ripped now a days, and finding mass market movies WITHOUT the Content Protection enabled is like looking for a needle in a haystack.