Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

  1. #1
    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    8,398
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    459 times in 334 posts
    • dangel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • See My Sig
      • CPU:
      • See My Sig
      • Memory:
      • See My Sig
      • Storage:
      • See My Sig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • See My Sig
      • PSU:
      • See My Sig
      • Case:
      • See My Sig
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • See My Sig
      • Internet:
      • 60mbit Sky LLU

    HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    A friend of mine loves my HTPC setup so i've spent a few mins putting together a spec - it's fairly rough and i'm very open to suggestions - any thoughts?

    Keysonic KB-ACK-540RF v2 Notebook Cordless Keyboard, Touch Pad Mouse Included, Silver/Black 27.50

    SilverStone LC03B (BLACK) aluminium Front & SECC Body Desktop case (w/o PSU) 88.11

    Asus P5KC, iP35, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2/DDR3 1066/1333/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX 76.70

    Intel Core 2 Duo E4500, S775, 2.2 GHz, 800MHz FSB, Allendale Core, 2MB Cache, Retail 73.07

    2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-12 41.88

    400 GB Samsung HD403LJ Spinpoint T166, SATA II, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms 54.27

    512MB HIS HD 2600Pro iSilenceIII (ZALMAN) (HDMI) Dual DL-DVI & TV (HDCP) (128bit) DDR2 PCIe 68.58

    500W Zalman ZM500-HP Heatpipe Cooled Modular PSU + 80% Eff 62.85

    Hauppauge Win TV Nova-TD 500 MCE/*Vista Ready* Dual Digital DVBT Tuner 51.70

    Microsoft Windows Media Center Hardware Kit V2 (Remote/Receiver) OEM 17.03

    EDIT: forgot the bloody DVDRW - so 20quid odd on top.

    ======
    561.69 inc VAT
    Last edited by dangel; 16-11-2007 at 01:12 PM.
    Crosshair VIII Hero (WIFI), 3900x, 32GB DDR4, Many SSDs, EVGA FTW3 3090, Ethoo 719


  2. #2
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    786 times in 733 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    I like the antec fusion
    fusion black

    Comes with a quiet (if not silent) 400w PSU which will be more than enough and costs around £110.

    2x120mm fans for cooling which is a nice touch.

    It looks fine though thats just preference.

    I'd probably get the Abit IP-35 instead of the asus though

  3. Received thanks from:

    dangel (16-11-2007)

  4. #3
    SiM
    SiM is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    7,787
    Thanks
    299
    Thanked
    630 times in 419 posts
    • SiM's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P5K Premium
      • CPU:
      • Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 8GB PC2-6400 OCZ ReaperX + Platinum
      • Storage:
      • 3 x 320gb HD322HJ single platter in Raid 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY GTX285
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX650W
      • Case:
      • Antec 1200
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2407-HC

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Looks good...

    The ram is on scan today only now, you can save £3 if you add that to your basket before noon...

    I reckon its worth the extra £8 or so to get 500gb samsung instead...

    Graphics might be a bit over kill... A 256mb 2600 pro will cost you half of that and do the job just as well...

  5. Received thanks from:

    dangel (16-11-2007)

  6. #4
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    786 times in 733 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    The 2400's are great if its just video. Games..not so much

  7. Received thanks from:

    dangel (16-11-2007)

  8. #5
    SiM
    SiM is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    7,787
    Thanks
    299
    Thanked
    630 times in 419 posts
    • SiM's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P5K Premium
      • CPU:
      • Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 8GB PC2-6400 OCZ ReaperX + Platinum
      • Storage:
      • 3 x 320gb HD322HJ single platter in Raid 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY GTX285
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX650W
      • Case:
      • Antec 1200
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2407-HC

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    The 2400's are great if its just video. Games..not so much
    But i thought the 2400's cannot do 1080p properly...
    Its safer getting this imo...

  9. Received thanks from:

    dangel (16-11-2007)

  10. #6
    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    8,398
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    459 times in 334 posts
    • dangel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • See My Sig
      • CPU:
      • See My Sig
      • Memory:
      • See My Sig
      • Storage:
      • See My Sig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • See My Sig
      • PSU:
      • See My Sig
      • Case:
      • See My Sig
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • See My Sig
      • Internet:
      • 60mbit Sky LLU

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    I like the antec fusion
    fusion black

    Comes with a quiet (if not silent) 400w PSU which will be more than enough and costs around £110.

    2x120mm fans for cooling which is a nice touch.

    It looks fine though thats just preference.

    I'd probably get the Abit IP-35 instead of the asus though
    Thanks - the fusion is a nice case but it's uATX which might be a limitation. Is the Abit board better then? I'm a bit ASUS centric thesedays (for probably no good reason).

    Quote Originally Posted by SiM View Post
    Looks good...

    The ram is on scan today only now, you can save £3 if you add that to your basket before noon...

    I reckon its worth the extra £8 or so to get 500gb samsung instead...

    Graphics might be a bit over kill... A 256mb 2600 pro will cost you half of that and do the job just as well...
    I couldn't see the 500gb drive but yeah, i take your point and i'd probably do that. The cheapest 2600 pro was £53.61 on scan. I choose that one because it's passive tbh.

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    The 2400's are great if its just video. Games..not so much
    It's a 2600 but yes, it'll suck at games - but it's there for it's low power consumption and hardware video decoding. This won't be a games machine, just a media centre.

    Thanks folks
    Crosshair VIII Hero (WIFI), 3900x, 32GB DDR4, Many SSDs, EVGA FTW3 3090, Ethoo 719


  11. #7
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    786 times in 733 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Quote Originally Posted by SiM View Post
    But i thought the 2400's cannot do 1080p properly...
    Its safer getting this imo...
    Deffinatly safer to do that. some people say the 2400xt's are fine with 1080p.. other say it struggles.

    I've just built something similar for my GF she doesn't need 1080p though.

    Its got,

    Asus M2A-VM uATX (dvi + vga also a version with HDMI but its a PCIe add on)
    AMD X2 5000+ Black edition (overclocked at 3.0ghz ) temps are still so low lol
    2gb of Geil Ultra PC6400
    320gb Western digital AAKS

    etc..

    I will try some 1080p playblack on it later if you're interested?

  12. #8
    SiM
    SiM is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    7,787
    Thanks
    299
    Thanked
    630 times in 419 posts
    • SiM's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P5K Premium
      • CPU:
      • Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 8GB PC2-6400 OCZ ReaperX + Platinum
      • Storage:
      • 3 x 320gb HD322HJ single platter in Raid 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY GTX285
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX650W
      • Case:
      • Antec 1200
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2407-HC

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Passive is not worht the extra 80% price increase over this!

    I have that card and although it has a fan it quiet quite...

  13. #9
    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    8,398
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    459 times in 334 posts
    • dangel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • See My Sig
      • CPU:
      • See My Sig
      • Memory:
      • See My Sig
      • Storage:
      • See My Sig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • See My Sig
      • PSU:
      • See My Sig
      • Case:
      • See My Sig
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • See My Sig
      • Internet:
      • 60mbit Sky LLU

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    I've got a 2600 (pro or xt can't remember) sitting in a box at home. I bought it to do some testing versus the 8600GTS (because nVidia's drivers are terrible for media PCs) but couldn't easily get 1:1 mapping on the sammy with the drivers at the time. I might well do that again over the weekend to see where things are at now.

    I deliberately didn't spec the 2400 because of the reported 1080P issues.
    Crosshair VIII Hero (WIFI), 3900x, 32GB DDR4, Many SSDs, EVGA FTW3 3090, Ethoo 719


  14. #10
    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    8,398
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    459 times in 334 posts
    • dangel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • See My Sig
      • CPU:
      • See My Sig
      • Memory:
      • See My Sig
      • Storage:
      • See My Sig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • See My Sig
      • PSU:
      • See My Sig
      • Case:
      • See My Sig
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • See My Sig
      • Internet:
      • 60mbit Sky LLU

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Quote Originally Posted by SiM View Post
    Passive is not worht the extra 80% price increase over this!

    I have that card and although it has a fan it quiet quite...
    Aha! Nice one many thanks - now that's a good deal and with free delivery too!
    Crosshair VIII Hero (WIFI), 3900x, 32GB DDR4, Many SSDs, EVGA FTW3 3090, Ethoo 719


  15. #11
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Midlands
    Posts
    77
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked
    3 times in 3 posts
    • smallstool's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte P35-DS3R
      • CPU:
      • e2180 @3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Corsair XMS2 41048-6400C4 @4-4-4-12 & 2.1V
      • Storage:
      • All sorts
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX 8600GTS Extreme
      • PSU:
      • ThermalTake Toughpower 700W
      • Case:
      • Massive big old thing
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2408WFP Rev A00
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Broadband 20Mb

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    I went with Linux (MYTHTV) have a look at:

    MythTV on an Asus Pundit-P1 AH2

    I have a AMD Athlon 64 X2, 6000 and 2 Nova-T cards.

    Works a treat (and much cheaper)


  16. Received thanks from:

    dangel (16-11-2007)

  17. #12
    SiM
    SiM is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    7,787
    Thanks
    299
    Thanked
    630 times in 419 posts
    • SiM's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P5K Premium
      • CPU:
      • Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 8GB PC2-6400 OCZ ReaperX + Platinum
      • Storage:
      • 3 x 320gb HD322HJ single platter in Raid 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY GTX285
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX650W
      • Case:
      • Antec 1200
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2407-HC

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    Deffinatly safer to do that. some people say the 2400xt's are fine with 1080p.. other say it struggles.

    I've just built something similar for my GF she doesn't need 1080p though.

    Its got,

    Asus M2A-VM uATX (dvi + vga also a version with HDMI but its a PCIe add on)
    AMD X2 5000+ Black edition (overclocked at 3.0ghz ) temps are still so low lol
    2gb of Geil Ultra PC6400
    320gb Western digital AAKS

    etc..

    I will try some 1080p playblack on it later if you're interested?
    Would be nice to see how that copes... Try 1080p playback with multi-threaded ffdshow... I reckon you will get flawless playback, but high CPU usage...

  18. Received thanks from:

    dangel (20-11-2007)

  19. #13
    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    8,398
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    459 times in 334 posts
    • dangel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • See My Sig
      • CPU:
      • See My Sig
      • Memory:
      • See My Sig
      • Storage:
      • See My Sig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • See My Sig
      • PSU:
      • See My Sig
      • Case:
      • See My Sig
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • See My Sig
      • Internet:
      • 60mbit Sky LLU

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    Quote Originally Posted by smallstool View Post
    I went with Linux (MYTHTV) have a look at:

    MythTV on an Asus Pundit-P1 AH2

    I have a AMD Athlon 64 X2, 6000 and 2 Nova-T cards.

    Works a treat (and much cheaper)

    Very interesting - I wouldn't go the linux route myself because he likes VMC (and i'll be the one looking after it since he's not in the computer way of thinking) but the PC there looks neat!
    Crosshair VIII Hero (WIFI), 3900x, 32GB DDR4, Many SSDs, EVGA FTW3 3090, Ethoo 719


  20. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NE-UK
    Posts
    533
    Thanks
    67
    Thanked
    22 times in 22 posts
    • s3ds's system
      • Motherboard:
      • PK5-WS
      • CPU:
      • E6850
      • Memory:
      • 4GB Kingston
      • Storage:
      • 15k Seagate SAS
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Nvidia Quadro
      • PSU:
      • 500W Enermax
      • Case:
      • Coolmaster Centurion
      • Operating System:
      • XP SP3 or Ubuntu
      • Monitor(s):
      • TWIN 22" NEOVO
      • Internet:
      • o2 LLU

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    I use media portal on xp with a nova-t + remote

    has any one used a mobo with onboard HDCP + VGA? was thinking about that route next time

    Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
    Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

  21. #15
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    49
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post
    • jabski's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P5WDH
      • CPU:
      • QX6700
      • Memory:
      • CORSAIR 6400 CAS3
      • Storage:
      • SEAGATE 200GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • IN PROGRESS
      • PSU:
      • 1000W PC POWER & COOLING
      • Case:
      • LIAN LI PC7
      • Monitor(s):
      • DELL 2405FPW
      • Internet:
      • VIRGIN 20MB

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    new zalman hd160 plus case should be out soon.

  22. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Slough
    Posts
    439
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked
    18 times in 17 posts
    • kungpo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P6T SE
      • CPU:
      • i7 920 @ 3.90 Ghz
      • Memory:
      • 6x 2GB Corsair DDR3 1600
      • Storage:
      • 2x WD AAKS 640GB RAID0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 260 GTX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 1000HX
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Fortress
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2x LG L1952S
      • Internet:
      • 3MB ADSL

    Re: HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)

    I've just rebuild my HTPC:

    E4300
    ASUS P5KPL-VM
    2GB Kingston Value RAM 667
    Gigabyte 2600 Pro (Passive)
    WIN TV NovaT-PCI
    WD Caviar 250GB
    MS MCE Remote and Receiver
    Old IDE CD/DVD drive
    Antec NSK1300
    Vista Home Premium 32bit

    Works beautifully and plays everything. It's not silent (the CPU and PSU fan is audiable, but not too far from it. The PS3 is noisier.

    Connected to my Sharp XD-1E via DVI-HDMI convertor, so no issues with HDCP and getting 1080p either.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Building a HTPC (SFF Build) Some advise please !!
    By x2dazee in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 21-08-2007, 03:40 PM
  2. HD HTPC recommendations & build thread
    By suniil in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 13-05-2007, 12:19 PM
  3. HTPC build - opinions wanted
    By yetiuk in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 03-10-2006, 01:01 AM
  4. Looking to build an HTPC
    By hotpurple in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 28-09-2006, 02:00 PM
  5. HTPC Build Help
    By FatalSaviour in forum Consumer Electronics
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 14-05-2006, 10:46 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •