High Definition Media Center

[kb8kicker]

I want to build a media center pc. Mainly what I'm looking for is a computer that will run very fast in all that I want it to do. I do not game at all. I will be using this as my main blue ray player and have already ripped all of my dvd collection onto the hard drive of my current media center pc. ( just an old compaq presario 6331rsh)

Please tell me what you think of this setup. The only part I really want to keep is the case.

Case: Antec Fusion Black Media Center Case

Motherboard: Abit I-N73HD Motherboard

or XFX MG-63MI-7109 Motherboard


Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

Drive: Sony BDU-X10S Internal Blu-ray Disc

2 or 4 gigs of RAM?

I'm a new member so I can't post any URL's yet. Sorry

The main thing I'm not sure of is the motherboard. I'd really like a board that can handle my video needs without a separate video card since I don't do any gaming. But, I definitely want to get full 1080p and good quality High Def content. - I'd like this thing to be pretty awesome and fast!

Please give me your advice on whether any of this is more or less than I need. Thanks!

[Will404]

Why not go with one of the older video cards, which have fanless coolers on them, like this . It can play HD content at 1080p, has passive cooling so will not make any noise, and has a UDV for blu-ray and HD DVD.

If you got this this(or something like it) then your mobo would no longer be limeted, but out of the two mobo's you chose I would have the XFX.

For playing media, is the Q6600 not a bit of an overkill, and would it not be better to go for a cheeper dual core CPU, such as one of the 45nm wolfdale CPU's which use less energy, and make less heat, so less fan noise = better Media centre PC. You could get this E8200 for about the same ammount as the quad.

4gigs is the sweet spot at the moment, but if its only for media playback, two should suffice, i think

[staffsMike]

You are far better off with AMD if you want the IGP to handle blu ray play back.

Either the ATi/AMD based 780G motherboard or nvidia 8200 based board (i'd go with the 780G)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=845045

Gives you VGA, DVI and HDMI inputs on board with what is essentially an ATi HD3450 video card shrunk down as your integrated graphics

with one of these
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=807038

It plays blu ray no problem, could even underclock the CPU probably.

2GB is more than enough and since it will be a low power system a nice quiet PSU and case to run it all and it should be very cheap, cool running and very quiet

[PeterStoba]

I'd agree with Mike, AMD is the way to go on budgets and media centers

[nutter998]

Why not go with one of the older video cards, which have fanless coolers on them, like this . It can play HD content at 1080p, has passive cooling so will not make any noise, and has a UDV for blu-ray and HD DVD.

If you got this this(or something like it) then your mobo would no longer be limeted, but out of the two mobo's you chose I would have the XFX.

For playing media, is the Q6600 not a bit of an overkill, and would it not be better to go for a cheeper dual core CPU, such as one of the 45nm wolfdale CPU's which use less energy, and make less heat, so less fan noise = better Media centre PC. You could get this E8200 for about the same ammount as the quad.

4gigs is the sweet spot at the moment, but if its only for media playback, two should suffice, i think

I would agree here - go for a card with passive cooling. The biggest drawback of some media centre PC's is the amount of noise they produce.

[shaithis]

Mikes idea of a 780G board is spot-on IMO. Great chipset for a media centre and leaves more room for airflow as you don't need a video card taking that route.

I would check reviews (or if possible go and listen to) some bluray drives. No idea what they are all like but some optical drives are excessively noisy, very annoying when part of a media centre.

[staffsMike]

I would check reviews (or if possible go and listen to) some bluray drives. No idea what they are all like but some optical drives are excessively noisy, very annoying when part of a media centre.

You need to consider how they are fitted as well. I think cases like the antec nsk 2480/fusion are fitted with vibration damping in mind which reduces noise to an extent but getting the quietest drive you can in the first place is best

[Lourdes]

4x50e / 780G / 2GB RAM is all you need for playback of anything.
The NSK 2480 is half the price of the Fusion and basically the same case - http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=787236 .
The BDU-X10S is very expensive for just a BD reader, you can get the LG combo for a lot less.

[kb8kicker]

What do you think about this setup?
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tec-_-11129030

MOB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=GA-MA78GM-S2H

Processor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2905661

Blue-Ray Drive: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...258&CatId=3634

2gb Ram - does it really matter what brand at all?

[s3ds]

2gb Ram - does it really matter what brand at all?

yes different quality

to save a few pounds ( or dollas ) can be a nightmare

I stick to corsair cas5 or kingston value ram ( 1.8v / 1.9v ) for AMD
corsair cas4 ( 2.1V ) for Intel
and crucial for laptops ( it always seem to work so i dont change )

other ppl have there own preferences

[staffsMike]

The setup looks good. I would change the CPU however. A 125W chip is going to run pretty hot in a case like that with the sort of coolers you can fit in, the scythe mini ninja would be best for that. Look for a 65nm brisbane core chip or the 45nm ****e chips.

[kb8kicker]

Okay so which of these would you go with?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2905653

or

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=3832407

[kb8kicker]

how much does cache really matter?

My laptop runs a core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2 GHz and I really would like to at least match that performance.

[s3ds]

for a media center there has to be a balance of power and heat
more power generates more heat = harder to keep quiet
i would go with your second chip
AMD Athlon X2 4850E Processor ( 45 watt ) as it takes less power than you first ( 89 watt )

[Lourdes]

Definitely the 4850e over the other one but it's still overkill, might as well get a cheaper e one and even the you could undervolt and underclock and it'd still be overkill.

[Noxvayl]

I would purchase this CPU for your media centre PC instead of the one you listed> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=3832404

Its more than enough power to do everything you need and more. Then you can buy a heatsink like this> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...oductresources and take the fan off for complete silence inside the case.

The other components you listed are good and would make a great media PC