Hi Def HTPC - looking for suggestions ...

[Jed Shields]

Hi guys,

I'm taking the plunge and building myself an HTPC. I've already got a thread about upgrading my gaming PC, but this one is just for entertainment downstairs. I'll be looking to use it for the following:

Watching HD-DVD's, replacing my Toshiba EP-30

I'd like to add BluRay to the mix

Watching films, TV shows, clips etc that I'll rip to hardrives both locally and on my network.

Not interested in music playback as I've got a Cyrus HiFi plus my Sonos system. However, I'll be looking at connecting the sound digitally to my Cyrus DAC-X. Also, not too worried about 5.1 etc yet as I've not got surround sound with my hifi yet.

TV - I've got a V+ box, but would like to add TV to the HTPC to give me the ability to stream recordings to different rooms. Also, is it possible to connect the Virgin signal to the PC?

Needs to be as quiet as possible.

It will be connected to my Panasonic 42PZ70 1080p plasma tv.

I've settled on an Omaura TF11 Home Theatre PC Enclosure as I think it looks great, and that's half the battle when getting approval from the wife This also gives me the option to use full size boards.

Motherboard & CPU. I might use my Athlon 4400 X2 939 CPU and Abit An8 SLI motherboard. Will this be okay for HD playback? I'm looking for some alternatives as well, as I'll probably end up installing the Athlon and MB in my wifes ageing PC.

RAM - is 2Gb plenty?

Graphics - looking at the Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT Ultimate Silent 256MB. My main PC will be used for games, so this rig will just be used for viewing and surfing.

Optical drive - looking at the LG GGW-H20L Blu-Ray Rewriter & HD-DVD ROM

Sound - I'll be looking for a good digital output. Sound quality is important, so I don't mind investing in this rather than just using an onboard solution.

PSU. I'm currently using a Hyper 580 but it seems a little loud. Any really quiet alternatives?

Cooling - general advice needed on silent solutions.

As always, budget is fairly tight, so not looking for an all singing, all dancing solution ...

Cheers,

Jed.

Oh, Happy New Year!

 

[Jed Shields]

Thanks guys.

I was originally sold on the Antec case, but fell in love with the looj of the Omaura. It also has an LCD display option, so I'll be getting that as well. I'm aware that I'm paying a premium for this over the Antec. It also means that I can choose a fullsize mobo if I want.

The majority of HD playback will be through the optical drive, so I'll want it as smooth as possible. I'm favouring the seperate graphics card route in order to eliminate any possible decoding stutter that might occur from a motherboard GPU only.

CPU - I've no problem going for either Intel or AMD. As I mentioned, the most stress the machine will come under is decoding the HD content from the discs on the fly, so I want to make sure that the CPU is good enough. What do you think is the minimum spec I'd need?

Mobo - ideally I'd like a built in Gigabit connection as well ... are these common? I'll be connecting the HTPC to my network probably via a mains plug option as I've read that wireless isn't fast enough for the data transfer needed and wiring a cable is going to be a pain.

Edit: what about this mobo? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-130-AB&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=805

Any thoughts on a quiet PSU?

What about coolers for the CPU?

 

[Jed Shields]

Please state why and how you'll use a small LCD that you cannot read from the other side of the room. I've built a couple of HTPC's and a LCD mounted on the case is totally useless. If you want a small LCD then buy a photo panel and mount it on your coffee table, or to be really posh buy a Asus EEE PC or internet tablet or Crestron remote control


Recommended HTPC already seem fine, basically 2Ghz dual core, 2GB RAM and that's about it - plus the remote control.

It will be used exactly the same way that I use the display on any DVD player etc - to display elapsed time and chapters etc.

 

[Jed Shields]

Thanks for the response guys, sorry I haven't got back as I've been away from the PC. I'lltake a look at your suggestions and get back to you tomorrow ...

Cheers

 

[Jed Shields]

OcUK Value IP35 Pro Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £64.61 inc vat

Never thought of looking at an "unbranded" model. What are these like compared to it's big brothers?

If I went the AMD route, say a 4200 X2 AM2, what mobo would you recommend?