Choosing a HTPC - Slightly above clueless

qwertybob

qwertybob

qwertybob

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20 Nov 2007
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Im after a HTPC to go with a LCD and 5.1 amp. I want it to be able to cope with the new formats blu-ray and play common video codecs (Xvid, DivX...etc).

Preferably an optical link to the amp and audio through HDMI to the LCD but a standard digital link would suffice.

Option 1 (173.86):

Intel Core 2 Duo E2200 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.20GHz (800FSB) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-190-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=793
£57.56

Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H GeForce 7100 Micro-ATX (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-098-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=326
£51.69

PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO SCS3 SILENT 256MB DDR2 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-084-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938
£46.99

Option 2 (229.1):

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.66GHz (1333FSB) - Retail Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.66GHz (1333FSB) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-157-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=793
£123.36

Asus P5E-VM HDMI Intel G35 Micro-ATX (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-257-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=326
£105.74

Common (44.62):

OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series DDR2 (OCZ2P800R22GK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-072-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=
£27.01

Samsung SH-S203D 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-096-SA&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=951
£17.61

I will be changing this later when blu-ray/HD-DVD drives come down in price.

400GB Seagate SATA - Already have.
Silent PSU 350watt (it may struggle but ill see).
http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_photo.php?pno=gd02&area=usa

All this will be interfacing to a Sony 5.1 Amp and something like (yet to be purchased),
http://www.teleworldplc.com/model.asp?Detail=Yes&ModelID=343&Show=2

Maybe a different model, not sure yet.

Option 1 would be 218.48 and option 2 273.72. Ive put the cheaper processor in option 1 becuase of the GPU which maybe isnt justified? This is from looking but Im open to ANY system that does the job.

Many thanks in advance for help with choosing a system :)
 
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Option 1 - why do you want a mobo with HDMI out when the graphics card will do the same job. :confused:
The E2200 will not be up to the task as regards blu-ray IMO , my E2180 didn't want to know & the E6600 dropped fames as well. I ended up getting a Q6600 GO in the end & it does the job. the E6750 or an E8200 may well fit the bill.
 
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Thanks badbob, I have amended the list above - cheaper and passive (or looks to be :) ).

Grimley said:
Option 1 - why do you want a mobo with HDMI out when the graphics card will do the same job. :confused:
The E2200 will not be up to the task as regards blu-ray IMO , my E2180 didn't want to know & the E6600 dropped fames as well. I ended up getting a Q6600 GO in the end & it does the job. the E6750 or an E8200 may well fit the bill.
Click to expand...

Oh, no reason for the onboard HDMI in option 1, simply because the motherboard is cheap, has 1333Mhz FSB and an optical audio out. In option 1 I will not be using the onboard HDMI for connection to the LCD. I was under the impression that having a separate card (e.g. ATI Radeon HD 2600) with hardware decoding made the need for a hefty processor redundant - is this incorrect? If so Id just get the all-in-one board solution of option 2.

Thanks for the input.
 
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