Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 43

Thread: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

  1. #1
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Righty ho.

    Some parts of my HTPC have turned up. Some haven't. Frankly, that gives me time to sit back and consider the bits that I do have, and what I'm going to do with them.

    There's been a good thread on HTPCs here linky and I've basically followed Cat5's parts list as stated.

    The first thing I've had turn up is the case, which is an Antec NSK1480.

    Frankly, I'm so impressed I thought I'd start this thread.



    The case. Not that much to look at in this shot. Note the HDD cage and DVD cage



    Getting a bit funkier. The DVD cage is not screw fixed, but come out with a "back and up" type manoeuvre. You screw it into the cage, then drop it in and forward to a nice snug fit. Note the black sticky rubber damper pads on DVD and HDD cages.



    There are two removable HDD cages. Each has 4 rubber grommets to hold the HDD in place. They each have a carry handle, and each is individually held to the chassis with a thumb screw. Later photos show the holes in teh compartments to thread wires through.



    One cage out, showing one below.



    There are 3 x 8cm fans in the case. Each has a molex connector, and a separate "low, med, high" speed controller. THis is not the clearest photo in the world, but it's of a 3 position switch. I've not tried the fans yet to determine noise ,but apparently low is 1000rpm, 25 db. I may replace it with a thermaltake 18db version, but will try it with the mobo, etc, to see exactly how noisy it is.



    Just demonstrating the wiring from the front of the case, really.



    Now to the good stuff. I'm only putting one HDD in the machine, and I'll put it in the upper cage. I am therefore going to hide a LOT of the wiring in the "spare", second, lower HDD cage. This includes ALL the molexs from the three fans, which I have joined together and attached to one power connector from the PSU, the spare MOLEX, a long sata power that I am routing through the cage to join the bluray player, and a sata power cable for the HDD. THis will leave a minimum of wiring in the main body.



    As above, demonstrating what will be the "hidden" wires, which I think is quite tidy.

    More to follow when I get the internal components and can monitor temps.

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    140
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    6 times in 6 posts

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Cant go wrong with antec imo

    ps needs more parts!

  3. #3
    PC Gamer
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    250
    Thanks
    70
    Thanked
    6 times in 5 posts
    • djglenn's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P5Q PRO P45
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GB Corsair XMS2 800Mhz DDR2
      • Storage:
      • Western Digital 320GB AAKS (single platter)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire 5850
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX850W
      • Case:
      • Antec P182
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 PRO x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell SP2309W
      • Internet:
      • UK Online - 6Mbs actual connection

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Nice thread, I hope you keep it up-to-date.

    The only thing that is putting me off the Antec NSK cases (1480 & 2480) is the fact that the CD/DVD drive is fully exposed (or so I think).

    The facia would look so much better with a conceeled "flap" to cover the drive.

    am I wrong?

  4. #4
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    I'd agree with you, actually, but it doesn't bother me. The Sony Bluray drive I have has a black surround and kind of shimmery strip, so it looks OK. Matching the front, or a flap, would look smoother.

    The Ram arrived today. More photos when the mobo arrives. If.

    Edit: Techbitsonline are supplying the mobo and CPU.

    Should have stuck with scan or yoyo or basically f**king anyone else. Bit still not here. Tracking number "pending", so no proof that it's even been posted yet. Order placed 16 Feb. Not happy.
    Last edited by Shooty*; 24-02-2009 at 01:37 PM.

  5. #5
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Right, onwards and upwards. Despite the best efforts of Techbits to scupper the whole project (see other thread here http://forums.hexus.net/shopping-ret...ine-avoid.html) we're up and running



    Mobo in place. Nice and neat. As you'd expect, not a lot of wiggle room. One thing I found was that, with the hard drive cage being so close to the motherboard, you really have to lower it in with the board horizontal: if you tilt the board, it tends to get stuck, particularly when you're trying to align the backplate.



    Same kind of view. Note that I've put the four pin connector under the motherboard to stay nice and tidy. Plenty of clearance under there for it. SATA connectors conveniently by a hole in the HDD cage.



    I love Easy connectors.



    Everything in place. Note one memory stick is pretty much under the blu ray drive. With the way I'd wired up the power, etc, the blu ray drive was a bit of a bitch to get in: it has "fins" underneath on the cage which would get caught on wires. Also, as seen below, the 24 pin connector is VERY snug against the bottom of the drive. And be sure to connect the CPU fan before installing the blu ray. Still, I'm quite happy with the wiring.





    Not the best photos in the world, but I was trying to show you how the 24 pin power socket connects. I had to massage the wires back: a right angle connector would have been very, very useful, thinking about it, but I don't think anyone offers that, do they? I should have got some decent rounded SATA cables as well, in retrospect.



    The finished item. Coming soon: in operation!

    I can preview that by saying DVDs look awesome. MAME emulation, which I was just going to toy with, is superb, on a 32 inch flat screen HD set (it's OK, I have the original jamma boards, all legal). Windows looks a teeny tiny bit "jaggy" in places. I've got the most UTD GPU drivers, but will try and take some shots. Mainly, it tends to be like the Skype icon in system tray. Don't know if this is coz the resolution of the icon is larger than skype envisaged.

    Age Of Mytholgy works well, at 1600 x 1200 (max), as does Sid Meiers Pirates! (same). This is with the onboard only. Dawn Of War is giving my some jip, but I'm looking into that.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Bedford/Leicester
    Posts
    535
    Thanks
    52
    Thanked
    45 times in 45 posts
    • Hawker1986's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Biostar Tpower X58A / Gigabyte X58A-UD5
      • CPU:
      • i7 950@4Ghz TRUE / i7 920@4Ghz H50-1
      • Memory:
      • 6GB Crucial Ballistix@1336mhz / 6GB Corsair XMS3@1528mhz
      • Storage:
      • 128GB G.Skill Falcon + 1.5TB + 2x400GB / Corsair Force 3 120GB SSD + 1.5TB + 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5850@825/1150 / 5870@900/1300
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Liberty 620W / Corsair HX850
      • Case:
      • Antec P182 / Silverstone FT02B
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 x64 Ultimate / Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell E248WFP 24" / Benq G2420HDBL 24"
      • Internet:
      • 10mb Virgin Cable / 24mb Talk Talk ADSL

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Hey Shooty,

    That looks really good mate, I had a quick question, are the PCI expansion slots at the back of the case full height (like in an antec fusion) or 1/2 height that need special adapters for the expansion cards? Also you can get right angled SATA connectors most places sell them, and I often get them with my gigabyte mobos.

    Thanks

    Hawker
    Media Centre: C2D E5300@3.6Ghz : Gigabyte G31M-ES2L : 2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR21066@1106mhz : Sapphire HD5450 : Haupaggue WinTV Nova-T 500 : Seasonic 380W : Corsair X32 32GB SSD : WD 250GB HDD : LG Blu-Ray/HDDVD ROM DVD-RW : Scythe Shuriken BIG Quiet : Lian-Li PC-C37 :
    WHS: Zotac 8200 M-ITX WIFI : AMD 4850e : 4GB G.Skill DDR21000 : 6x2TB : Scythe Shuriken Rev.B Quiet LP : Fractal Design Mini Array R2 :
    Laptop: Packard Bell EasyNote BG45-U-300 : 12" : Dual Core T2390 1.87Ghz : 2GB DDR2800 : Corsair X32 32GB SSD : Intel GMA X3100 :


  7. #7
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Hi Hawker.

    HALF HEIGHT. Can't stress that enough. A few people have been wondering that.

    I'm toying with idea of a separate GPU, but would have to be half height AND display port or HDMI. Not sure about these adapter bracket things.

    RIght angled sata: Yeah, I know, one of them actually is at the HDD end, but with the way the ports are laid out on the board, using right angled connectors would block most of the other sata sockets!

  8. #8
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    19,874
    Thanks
    629
    Thanked
    962 times in 813 posts
    • Funkstar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte EG45M-DS2H
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz)
      • Memory:
      • 8GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 800MHz Quad Channel
      • Storage:
      • 650GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB ATI Radeon HD4550
      • PSU:
      • Antec 350W 80+ Efficient PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec NSK1480 Slim Mini Desktop Case
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407 + 2408 monitors
      • Internet:
      • Zen 8mb

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Quote Originally Posted by Shooty* View Post
    Now to the good stuff. I'm only putting one HDD in the machine, and I'll put it in the upper cage. I am therefore going to hide a LOT of the wiring in the "spare", second, lower HDD cage. This includes ALL the molexs from the three fans, which I have joined together and attached to one power connector from the PSU, the spare MOLEX, a long sata power that I am routing through the cage to join the bluray player, and a sata power cable for the HDD. THis will leave a minimum of wiring in the main body.
    I have the same case, and did exactly the same with the cables

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    140
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    6 times in 6 posts

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    How noisy is it?

  10. #10
    ɯʎɔɐɹsɐʌʍ mycarsavw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    4,945
    Thanks
    1,097
    Thanked
    652 times in 481 posts
    • mycarsavw's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P8H77-M Pro
      • CPU:
      • i5 3350P
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb
      • Storage:
      • Lots
      • Graphics card(s):
      • R9 285
      • PSU:
      • HX 620w
      • Case:
      • FD Define Mini
      • Operating System:
      • W10
      • Monitor(s):
      • BenQ G2420HDBL + GL2450HT
      • Internet:
      • Sky

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Looking very slick

    Quote Originally Posted by Shooty* View Post
    Not the best photos in the world, but I was trying to show you how the 24 pin power socket connects. I had to massage the wires back: a right angle connector would have been very, very useful, thinking about it, but I don't think anyone offers that, do they? I should have got some decent rounded SATA cables as well, in retrospect.
    http://cgi.ebay.com.my/24PIN-ATX-90-...mZ130284324429

    They are about, just not in the UK (that I've found).

    Maybe a gap in the market for someone to fill
    |Kata: "Read title as 'fisting'. Not sure why I clicked. Relieved, really."|
    |TAKTAK: "It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it"|

  11. #11
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    I have the same case, and did exactly the same with the cables


    Eh, must be right then

    As to the noise: Um... louder than a DVD player, not as loud as my main PC. Not loud enough that I've had a second concern about it yet. Also, with my PC, I use it most of the time (except gaming) with no sound, so I tend to hear it. With this HPTC, i'm watching movies, or listening to music, or something, so the sound from that masks it.

    All three fans are set to low. Did I mention that? CPU temp ranges between 28 - 40 degrees c depending on room temp.

    Prize to Mycarsavw. Epic find.

    One other thing to mention: my TV stand is in a wifi dead spot, so after a long and helpful chat with Paul at Scan, I ordered two of these home plugs.

    Wow.

    You read reviews on amazon saying "only took me ten minutes to set up!". Ten minutes? What, do you not have arms or something? Took me ten SECONDS to get this working fantastically.

    Right, who wants to see some screen shots? You do? OK, here we go:



    The stand. Strictly, I think my TV stand is meant to be a stereo stand, so it's only 35 cm deep. The HTPC is 41 cm, so I've put it on the top, otherwise it would stick out too much.



    Stupidly large fonts and graphics, but I am planning on using this from half way across the room, after all.



    Media centre, using the "gallery" registry setting, instead of "play", so you can have DVD library. I was really keen to use Windows 7 on this rig because the Media Centre is so much better, in terms of your photo folders not appearing in Video section (i.e. being able to specify which media should appear where), but using a combination of Menu Mender and careful folder placement, i'm fairly happy with it now. However, the mobo drivers really, really did not like Windows 7. Which is fair enough.



    A photo purely to show my age



    internet explorer. LARGE font for the above reasons. Sorry, photo a bit dark: all except top one taken witout flash to prevent glare, and the sun kept going behind clouds.



    MAME: Rolling THunder




    Dawn Of War. It lives!
    Last edited by Shooty*; 04-03-2009 at 01:55 PM.

  12. #12
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Oh, something else I should point out:

    When I first started it up, at top resolution in Windows, tehre was a black border all around the disaply. It would not go to the edges. I had to go into the catalyst centre (or whatever. I'm not an ATI user normally) and stretch the display or something. There was a techical term for it. I thought that was a bit odd. I'll get the exact phrasing later for you.

    Edit: If anyone likes the TV program thumbnails shown above, I can upload them in a zip for you to have.

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    842
    Thanks
    35
    Thanked
    24 times in 24 posts
    • mightymouse's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Striker Extreme
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Duo Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 2 x 1GB Corsair Dominator PC8500
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 500GB Samsung T166 RAID0, 1 x 500GB Western Digital
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Galaxy 1000W
      • Case:
      • CM Stacker 830 - nVidia
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 22"
      • Internet:
      • O2 Internet

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    what program do you use to rip all the cartoons to your htpc? i am looking to build one myself. thanks

  14. #14
    isn't trying to wind U up Shooty*'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    West Mids
    Posts
    1,411
    Thanks
    113
    Thanked
    60 times in 48 posts
    • Shooty*'s system
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Modular 620W
      • Case:
      • ThermalTake Tsunami Dream, black, windowed.
      • Internet:
      • Plus Net

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    I get the VOBs from DVDs, then use Vdub MPEG to turn them into AVIs.

    That's for the cartoons, and I did it ages ago. Strictly, if I could be bothered, I'd go back now and do what I did for my movies, which is to use CloneDVD. I may yet do that.

  15. #15
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,042
    Thanks
    3,909
    Thanked
    5,213 times in 4,005 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Glad to hear everything has gone well!!

  16. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Bedford/Leicester
    Posts
    535
    Thanks
    52
    Thanked
    45 times in 45 posts
    • Hawker1986's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Biostar Tpower X58A / Gigabyte X58A-UD5
      • CPU:
      • i7 950@4Ghz TRUE / i7 920@4Ghz H50-1
      • Memory:
      • 6GB Crucial Ballistix@1336mhz / 6GB Corsair XMS3@1528mhz
      • Storage:
      • 128GB G.Skill Falcon + 1.5TB + 2x400GB / Corsair Force 3 120GB SSD + 1.5TB + 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5850@825/1150 / 5870@900/1300
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Liberty 620W / Corsair HX850
      • Case:
      • Antec P182 / Silverstone FT02B
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 x64 Ultimate / Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell E248WFP 24" / Benq G2420HDBL 24"
      • Internet:
      • 10mb Virgin Cable / 24mb Talk Talk ADSL

    Re: HTPC build: Watch it happen!

    Ahhhh, cool, its looking really good up and running. Im looking at changing the case for my HTPC but I want something full height, and the new fusion is just too expensive and I dont care about the Imon. With your case is there any way to remove the grey front bezel easily, for example to respray it back? Im curious as I would do something like that if I got one.

    Thanks again,

    Hawker
    Media Centre: C2D E5300@3.6Ghz : Gigabyte G31M-ES2L : 2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR21066@1106mhz : Sapphire HD5450 : Haupaggue WinTV Nova-T 500 : Seasonic 380W : Corsair X32 32GB SSD : WD 250GB HDD : LG Blu-Ray/HDDVD ROM DVD-RW : Scythe Shuriken BIG Quiet : Lian-Li PC-C37 :
    WHS: Zotac 8200 M-ITX WIFI : AMD 4850e : 4GB G.Skill DDR21000 : 6x2TB : Scythe Shuriken Rev.B Quiet LP : Fractal Design Mini Array R2 :
    Laptop: Packard Bell EasyNote BG45-U-300 : 12" : Dual Core T2390 1.87Ghz : 2GB DDR2800 : Corsair X32 32GB SSD : Intel GMA X3100 :


Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

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

Similar Threads

  1. Time to build... a few first-timer questions :-)
    By tensim in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 06-06-2008, 09:52 AM
  2. HTPC build - opinions, derrision or recommendations :)
    By dangel in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 16-11-2007, 11:33 PM
  3. Building a HTPC
    By RECOiL™ in forum Consumer Electronics
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 16-10-2007, 05:38 PM
  4. HTPC 32bit or possible use for 64bit ?
    By ikonia in forum Software
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 06-05-2005, 05:28 PM
  5. Offical HEXUS Big Brother Thread
    By DR in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 40
    Last Post: 02-06-2004, 02:47 PM

Posting Permissions

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