£700-900 for a HTPC

Never personally been a fan of the case. Don't need storage go mini itx, need storage go larger box that fits into a home cinema set up nicely (like a Lc17 or the lian li 33b)
 
Guardsmon's spec looks good :) Probably not the best bang for buck, but certainly well up to the task and all of the components are good quality. Should make a very nice machine for the money.
 
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The reason for the TV card is that this will be hooked up to the projector and form the basis of everything entertainment. (Consoles will be hooked up as well)
EDIT: I have a copy of windows lying around so that is not a problem
 
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Firstly I would keep any form of gaming away from an MCE machine. When left alone, esp with large libraries, they run fine. When you start throwing other features into the mix, such as games, you are asking for trouble. You will spend more time tweaking and fixing than actually using it.

Personally I think an SSD is a good idea for your MCE, it keeps things fluid.

Gardsmon's spec is OK, but I would lose that case and PSU in favour of an OrigenAE M10 as used in http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18127272 thread. I bought mine direct from OrigenAE in Korea for just over £200 inc taxes, which includes slimline DVD Rom and 150W PSU. If you are putting it in a nice Home Theatre room, with that level of gear, you really want a nice case to match the other equipment. And swap the Gpx card for http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-226-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1699 Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5570 1024MB GDDR3 as it is a low profile card.

If you take my advice and keep gaming off this machine, then you can afford to drop that i5 to an i3 processor, as an i3 will be more than overkill for an MCE machine.

Unfortunately with that Graphix card occupying your only expansion slot you will have to opt for an external TV Tuner. Consider something like SiliconDust's Networked Homerun Tuners (which will recieve DVB-T HD) and run fine with MCE

You will also need a MCE Remote and receiver (the OrigenAE case contains a receiver and comes with a remote) you may also want to consider a wireless keyboard (with built in joystick / trackpad/ rollerball) unless you want to spend time on the floor with a wired one.

Finally with a MCE PC you find you start to acquire media very quickly. The convenience of ripped movies, in a library, likewise the same for music starts to eat up storage very quickly. It is worth considering some offboard storage, such as a NAS that can stream media not only to your MCE, but other PCs / Streaming Devices in the house.

Mushii

Oh I did keep away from your no Atom/Ion. But just FYI my Ion based MCE never misses a beat with playback from any media source that I have thrown at it yet. The only downside that I have with it, is that it is sloooow for ripping DVDs, hence I use my MBP with Handbrake.
 
I second the notion that even 2tb is not going to be enough once you get started which is why I always use larger cases in customer builds unless they specify they want a server / nas device some time down the line. Silverstone makes some nice cases and I have built many a successful HTPC around the LC17 for example. Accepts full height cards, plenty of expansion slots, room for 6x 3.5" drives. Great cooling etc. If you expect to go more the server / nas route I would go smaller and consider mini itx as the front end of the media centre part.
 
SimonR said:
Firstly I would keep any form of gaming away from an MCE machine. When left alone, esp with large libraries, they run fine. When you start throwing other features into the mix, such as games, you are asking for trouble. You will spend more time tweaking and fixing than actually using it.
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Not true at all i game on mine and its absolutely faultless
 
Given one PCI Audio must take priority. A grand or so of Speakers isn't realy worth it for a Realtek audio codec. I like the Fusion/Micro Fusions because of the flexability of a "Proper" Mobo. I like mini ITX but I dont think it makes the cut.
 
if you can live without the vfd and get your own remote i'd go with the lian li pc-c33 as i did, it's a step up in quality over those antecs.
 
hamehax said:
Given one PCI Audio must take priority. A grand or so of Speakers isn't realy worth it for a Realtek audio codec. I like the Fusion/Micro Fusions because of the flexability of a "Proper" Mobo. I like mini ITX but I dont think it makes the cut.
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http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-entertainment-pcs/

Probably the biggest UK media PC resource there is. If you're not already reading/posing in that part of AV Forums then it's time to start :)

I don't really like pointing people in the direction of other forums, because it tends to result in backlash, but in this case I think it's definitely appropriate.
 
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hamehax said:
Given one PCI Audio must take priority. A grand or so of Speakers isn't realy worth it for a Realtek audio codec. I like the Fusion/Micro Fusions because of the flexability of a "Proper" Mobo. I like mini ITX but I dont think it makes the cut.
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Why is PCI audio a must? The H55 supports Dolby® TrueHD, DTS®-HD Master Audio bitstream over HDMI. As it is bitstream audio, then your AV Amp will be doing the decoding.

Mushii
 
And how would he get one from outside the UK to the UK to cost just over £200? :confused:


If that case wasn't so expensive I would be all over it. ;)
 
Azza said:
And how would he get one from outside the UK to the UK to cost just over £200? :confused:


If that case wasn't so expensive I would be all over it. ;)
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Well you email Origen AE and ask to buy one direct, they email you a proforma invoce and you pay them via paypal or money transfer and they courier it to you via parcelforce. Mine got stopped at customs and I paid about £23
regards
Mushii
 
SimonR said:
Well you email Origen AE and ask to buy one direct, they email you a proforma invoce and you pay them via paypal or money transfer and they courier it to you via parcelforce. Mine got stopped at customs and I paid about £23
regards
Mushii
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Oooooo interesting. :D :D
 
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