My HTPC (documented self-build)

fobose said:
I used a E5200 and a scythe mini ninja. One of my temp sensors are stuck on my CPU (at 55c), but the other core idles at 36-37c, and load temp after 30mins of everest stability test it gets to 44-45c. I think the mobo temp is always around the 34c mark.

I also have the Asus Qfan controller one of the noctua 1200rpm fans which runs around 800rpm, and I have a resistor cable on the other fan which I think makes it 500rpm.
Click to expand...

Re-reading, fobose's post it would seem that the scythe mini ninja does the job pretty well - but i get the impression his case fans are running all the time, but at lower rpm.

In fact his temps are ideal, considering it's all passive.

But if you can't hear your zalman, when the unit is in situ, you should be fine with your setup?
 
Plec said:
But if you can't hear your zalman, when the unit is in situ, you should be fine with your setup?
Click to expand...

I would have liked to use passive too, but Im worried about keeping the GPU cool. I have to put my ear near the Zalman to hear it when running windows.

powerdraw_s.jpg

After installing AMD cool and quiet im getting 43W sitting on WinXP32 desktop. Goes up to just over 50W whilst im installing stuff from CD. Im quite happy with that power draw :)
 
Looks good - and a tidy build. What tv card will you be installing?

Edit: D'oh! i just saw the WinTV pic in your original post.
 
I found out why the case fans werent spinning, I dont think they were getting enough power. I hooked one up to the MB and it wouldnt spin on 5v from that. I connected them direct via molex and they now spin, I think they need 6v minimum.

Not sure whats going on with the dedicated fan lines from the PSU, they dont put out enough juice to spin the fans :rolleyes: ... or Im somehow misunderstanding whats going on.

Its going to be a major pain to remove the PSU fan power cables, they run under everthing. I think Ill worry about this later.

Trying to install Mythbuntu atm, but not going too well. It just failed half way through and seems to have taken out the partition table for the whole HDD. Cant boot to windows anymore now...
 
If they're the fans i think they are they require 12v - so they were proabably not getting enough juice from the 3 pin psu dedicated fan lines or the mb.
 
mythworking_s.jpg

Mythbuntu finally working. Only 46Watt draw - not too bad I think

Thinking about ordering my new TV tonight. Im thinking either the Sony 32V5500 or 32W5500
 
Xerai said:
cablesdone_s.jpg
Click to expand...

Considering your PSU is modular, I cant see how you have so many cables all bundled up by the front of the case near the hard drives. It also looks like you have put an extension cable on to your 24pin power cable too?

I did originally have my optical drive in the lower compartment of my NSK 2480, and was still able to get all of the extra cables of the supplied PSU under the optical drive caddy, but once I put the optical drive in the top bay I just put the bundles under the optical drive.

You could always use sticky tape of some kind to stick cables down below the optical caddy? It might also help if you route the optical drives sata cable through the hdd section and under the optical caddy as well. I know you said its hard to plug the optical drives cables in, but once you have plugged the cable in you can push the slack under the drive again?
 
fobose said:
Considering your PSU is modular, I cant see how you have so many cables all bundled up by the front of the case near the hard drives.
Click to expand...
My PSU didnt come with any single sata power cables only ones that had about 4 or more connections on them, hence the cables getting all pilled up near the HDD . The power for the HDD and case fans already routes under the optical drive.

fobose said:
I did originally have my optical drive in the lower compartment of my NSK 2480, and was still able to get all of the extra cables of the supplied PSU under the optical drive caddy, but once I put the optical drive in the top bay I just put the bundles under the optical drive.
Click to expand...
I cant move the optical drive to the top, because the drive door is only at the bottom of the case, there would be no way to put discs in :(

fobose said:
I know you said its hard to plug the optical drives cables in, but once you have plugged the cable in you can push the slack under the drive again?
Click to expand...
I dont think theres room to do that. Theres only about a finger width gap between the back of the optical drive and the PSU. If it was just cables then I might be able to do it, but these cables (although modular) have 3 or 4 connections on them that I dont need and I dont think its going to be possible to shove them down the gap and around under the optical drive.

fobose said:
It also looks like you have put an extension cable on to your 24pin power cable too?
Click to expand...
It came with the case its to power the display when the computer is off. Not liking the display atm so am considering just pulling all that stuff out and leaving the display non-functional

Im not liking Mythbuntu that much so far, I might try some other media centre software. Ive still got my WinXP32 dual boot so I have plenty to choose from. Anyone want to recommend something? I would consider anything in Linux, Xp or Vista.
 
Xerai said:
Im not liking Mythbuntu that much so far, I might try some other media centre software. Ive still got my WinXP32 dual boot so I have plenty to choose from. Anyone want to recommend something? I would consider anything in Linux, Xp or Vista.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear your still having difficulties. Have you tried asking on the 'windows and other software' forum? There are quite a few dedicated posters who know everything there is to know about alternate OS's, on those forums, and they may be able to help you out.

Xerai said:
It came with the case its to power the display when the computer is off. Not liking the display atm so am considering just pulling all that stuff out and leaving the display non-functional.
Click to expand...

Could i be cheeky and ask for a pic of the front display in normal mode - as i was hoping it would be unobtrusive/subtle? Can it be set just to show the time for example?
 
Plec said:
Could i be cheeky and ask for a pic of the front display in normal mode - as i was hoping it would be unobtrusive/subtle? Can it be set just to show the time for example?
Click to expand...

I haven’t setup the display to work properly yet, at the moment it is just lit all the time and looks pretty awful. I knew from research before I bought it that the display was "too bright", but its really really bright, hence why I’m seriously considering disabling it.

Ill try to take a pic this evening of what the display looks like.
 
I would have liked the NSK 2480 to have the fusion's stealth type optical bay as it gives the case a cleaner look. I wasn't really intereted in the screen or the volume? knob (plus I was on a budget).

My total build cost was £310, which included:

Antec NSK 2480
Asus P5Q-EM
Corsair PC2 6400 2x2GB
Intel E5200
Scythe Mini Ninja
Sony DRU-860S DVDRW
HDMI Cable

I did already have a copy of Vista that I had been planning to use for a HTPC, and a 250GB hard drive (used only for the OS and any required apps).
 
fobose - could i be cheeky and ask for some in situ pics of your case too? (It's the only thing i'm really undecided on.)

I'm considering:
  • Case - still undecided (until i see the display)
  • Asus P5Q-EM
  • Kingston HyperX 2GB DDR2 6400
  • Intel E5200
  • Scythe Mini Ninja (no fan)
  • BeQuiet 450w
  • Sony BDU-X10S Blu-Ray Reader
  • Noctua NF-S12 800RPM 120mm - number and size dependent on case.
  • Plus a laptop type keyboard - undecided yet
  • TV card - also undecided - has to be dual tuner.
 
Plec said:
Thanks, Xerai - as a continuously bright screen would be a deal-breaker for me as it would be right in my eyeline with the way my system is setup.
Click to expand...

From what I read I think all the Fusion cases have these overly bright displays. I think only old Fusion cases made years ago used a different type of display and were not so bright. This is why you might see some people showing a fusion with OK display and others with overly bright display (depends how long ago they bought the case). At least thats what I remember about this topic, could be wrong :)

Got my display working in about 5min in windows. Taken a pic showing the news stream, hope this helps (see below).

display_s.jpg
 
Thanks Xerai, much appreciated.

Can you turn off the streaming and just have a plain, not so bright display?

What i mean is, could you just have the display set as a clock or tv channel etc and if it does is the whole back screen still illuminated or does it have a more muted look with less info?

Edit: it's still my first choice of case as it really looks the part - and if neccessary i'll turn off the display - but i'm hoping it has a less vibrant mode when displaying simpler information.
 
Last edited:
Thanks fobose, again, much appreciated - it's far easier to get an idea of what a case looks like when pics are taken in situ.

There's probably not much in it dimension wise between the two.

Additional: you need to get one those cabinet doors glazed so you don't have to keep on opening them to operate the remotes ;)
 
Plec said:
Additional: you need to get one those cabinet doors glazed so you don't have to keep on opening them to operate the remotes ;)
Click to expand...

Actually, I only had the doors open so I could show you the case, normally I have both doors closed. I have a USB extension cable for the wireless keyboard (with built in mouse) reciever, which is blu-tac'd to the side of TV's stand. I dont use my HTPC with a remote, I dont even use media center. I have icon's on the desktop that are network places to movies/tv eps etc.

I really hate the TV cabinet though, unfortunatly its my parents and they wont get a new one!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom