HTPC for my bedroom

[fenderbass86]

Hi

Im looking to build a HTPC that will be hooked up to a 26" LCD TV. Can you spec some hardware please? I've never built a pc in a small case like the one I intend on using. I was looking at the antec fusion.

*edit* - was thinking of using the X1800Xt i've got in my main rig, as i will be getting an 8800 card of some sort soon.

 

[The Badger]

Whats your Budget?

 

[fenderbass86]

About £350 - £400. Gotta have a wireless network adapter so it can pick up the internet from downstairs.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Also, what will the machine do? Will it just play movies and music and such or will you be playing games on it? How much HDD space do you need?

 

[fenderbass86]

I will play some games on it, not graphic intensive ones. That's for my main rig downstairs. Basically, to watch DVD's, play music and video's, play some games and surf the internet. About 500GB storage will be useful as I have a lot of music and video's i'll be transfering from my main pc.

 

[Confused]

Does that budget include the case?

 

[fenderbass86]

Yep, also need a wireless keyboard and mouse. If it goes over budget it goes over.

 

[badbob]

Since you're on a budget get the NSK2400. Don't forget you'll need a IR receiver + remote, another £22. A 2ghz dual core, 2GB RAM, 500GB HD, onboard to 2600XT will be sufficient.


Keysonic wireless keyboard/trackpad £30 (more usable than two individual parts)

 

[fenderbass86]

Im not really up on this wireless networking stuff. But my sister has the ability with her laptop and she said all i needed was a usb adapter. So I need a reciever aswell? Is the remote necessary?

Also, is the X1800XT too big for htpc cases?

 

[badbob]

Remote is desirable when using HTPC front end, unless you want to use arrow keys/enter or mouse/button. x1800xt will fit in a fusion but it's loud so replace stock cooler.

 

[fenderbass86]

So what's this IR reciever all about? and where is it on the OcUK page?

 

[RJC]

Using the remote below for my HTPC, runs fine on Vista.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-009-MS&groupid=33&catid=20&subcat=

Rob

 

[siege2]

About wireless, Now I have the Netgear N router, with N usb adapter
ie http://www.netgear.co.uk/rangemaxnext_wirelessbroadbandrouter_dg834n.php
I use it with my PS1500 touch screen PC GREAT. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1722060,00.asp

 

[fenderbass86]

We already have a netgear wireless modem router for the downstairs computer. Do I need another one in my bedroom then?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

We already have a netgear wireless modem router for the downstairs computer. Do I need another one in my bedroom then?

No, you only need an adaptor, PCI or USB.

 

[fenderbass86]

That's what i was hoping to hear. Thanks all. Is a 108 Mbps a standard one? Or is it 54mbps. Not sure what would suit the system.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

54 Mbps is the standard. Some manufactures use technical shenanigans to exceed that but such practices are usually limited to interoperability with equipment of the same manufacture.

If you intend on streaming media wirelessly from a networked disk you should be aware that wireless networking is sorely lacking and it would most likely lead to massive frustration. It should be OKish for accessing the Internet though.

 

[siege2]

Iam using the http://www.netgear.co.uk/rangemaxnext_wireless_usb_adapter_wn121t.php
which I find fantastic for signal and speed found much better than an usb dongle ie example same size off a usb flash disk.

the type U would get is the 108MBps version is http://www.netgear.co.uk/wireless_networkadapter_wg111t.php


PS my router is the next N generation off high speed routers the N

 

[BillytheImpaler]

For the low end of the budget:

The extra money in there is for the remote and wLAN adaptor.
If ever you decided that you don't want to game on it anymore the onboard 6150 graphics chipset is excellent for hardware media acceleration. It'll handle 1080p without breaking a sweat.

As usual in my HTPC specs I include this processor as a placeholder for an X2 3800+ "Energy Efficient" 35 W CPU. It is more than powerful enough for decoding 1080p with aggressive codecs and it will put out significantly less heat. The AMD part number for it is ADD3800CUBOX. Shop around.

 

[badbob]

Kinda silly putting 1/3 of the cost in the case (granted it has a PSU) Get the cheaper NSK 2440 instead. Replace WD with Samsung (quieter) plus add a USB IR receiver/remote.