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cpu for htpc

3800 X2 will be fine, I use a 3700 single core at stock on a 6150 Nvidia (now ATI X300 PCIE) and that plays 1080P no problems.

You'll want to scale so don't get the slowest single core imo
 
Anything with DVI out, just use DVI-HDMI cable, or ideally DVI-DVI with a TV that has DVI (LG) as they offer more resolution/refresh support than HDMI, and have per pixel non stretch mode.

You'll want to stick to passive and/or one that has low power consumption/heat output, or if it does have a fan near silent. Onboard Nvidia 6150 coped well, ATI X300 is a little bit hotert but has S-Video output which I currently need. Don't go too fancy as you don't need 3D features. In fact with HDCP problems coming soon I would get a cheap one just to tide you over. Something like Sapphire ATI Radeon X1300 or Leadtek GeForce 7300 GT, both around £50.
 
Seasonic 430W, silent.

Stock cooler is quiet at 1600-1800 rpm, if you're not overclocking (doubt you'll need to really as more than enough CPU horsepower) enable CAQ, set to laptop mode, reduce fan speed. Lowers CPU temp as it clocks down to 1.1ghz so can slow CPU fan down. Keep a eye on max temp on load with lower fan speeds.
 
this is what i got so far
PROCESSOR-AMD Athlon 64 (ADA3800BVBOX) X2 3800+ Socket 939 Dual Core 2.0ghz
MOTHERBOARD - Asus A8N32-SLi Deluxe
POWER SUPPLY - Seasonic S12 430W Silent ATX2.0 Power Supply (CA-000-SS)
SOUNDCARD - HDA Digital X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect PCI Dolby Soundcard (SC-003-HT)
dvd writer pioneer 111d dual layer

trying to decide on a HTPC case maybe Silverstone LC16M

dunna weather i would need 2gb ram or 1gb would be suffiant
need a good video card
 
1GB will be plenty. Why do you want a SLI motherboard?
Pioneer drives aren't quiet.
Do you need a full size ATX board? Plan to fit several PCI cards ie DVB/sky tuners? If not consider MATX?
 
I've got the following that I'm thinking of using for an HTPC:

3.0ghz P4, "prescott", 1gb pc3200, 80gb sata, DVD writer, ati X600 256meg dual dvi output "low profile", Win XP os, 250w quiet psu (and I mean quiet).

What else would I need to get meself up and running?
 
I'd obviously need some form of tv card to input the aerial signals, would one of those USB dongle things be good enough to give all the freeview channels, allow recording from freeview, have epg, etc. Tv reception is no probs due to living in west London. The reason I ask this is the case I've got is ultra slim, so any cards installed have to be "low profile" with a short rear mounting bracket, so the usb option would favourable. They also come with a remote in some cases.
What about "upscaling" to 760p when using the dvd playbackand windows based software? is this possible by using the catalyst control centre?
Sorry about all the questions, its a steep learning curve here, lol. :p
 
Yes if you want TV you'll need tuners, don't bother with that myself. You can scale. Use FFDSHOW, then DVD software which integrates with ffdshow, theatretek is one. Google search for ffdshow. Might need AC-3 filter, but only if using analogue outputs on your soundcard. If using digital out you don't need ac-3 filter, just set spdif on ffdshow audio codecs for dd and dts. ffdshow decodes xvid and divx (most common) plus several others. google search for "htpc guides".

There's not much difference between a htpc and normal PC. MC is just bunged ontop of XP, so if you setup a PC for video playback you've done 95% of it already.
 
I've just realised summat (theres a surprise!), I intend to hook the htpc up to a Sharp 32"LCGD7E lcd tv that already has an inbuilt digital tuner for freeview. This is being fed from a Thomson DTD4000 pvr via fully wired scart. so effectively I'd only be using the htpc for freeview recording/playback and DVD playback. Does this make things easier or more complex, easier I'd thought?
 
pieman109 said:
I've just realised summat (theres a surprise!), I intend to hook the htpc up to a Sharp 32"LCGD7E lcd tv that already has an inbuilt digital tuner for freeview. This is being fed from a Thomson DTD4000 pvr via fully wired scart. so effectively I'd only be using the htpc for freeview recording/playback and DVD playback. Does this make things easier or more complex, easier I'd thought?
Click to expand...
Well, Ive got Telewest cable TV with TV drive which records onto a hard drive. In effect I only use my HTPC for dvd's , playing my music collection as lossless WMA and looking at photos but its well worth it. The dvd quality alone using the stuff squiffy has quoted is far superior to that of a dvd player.

ps also use it for web browsing if Im too lazy to go upstairs to my pc!
 
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