HTPC gamer system

Ricky C · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:09

Hi ya,

I need some advise about building an htpc system which can be used as a games machine (instead of a console)..

I'm thinking of going for an normal ATX HTPC case so i can have a decent graphics card in it but on the other hand i want to keep it lower voltage to keep it quite in the front room.

I've got about 600-700 to build the base unit but would like to keep it below if that would be possible.

I'll be using a samsung 32" LCD HDTV (1300-768 i think?)

Also, can you play games through Media centre or would i have dual boot and XP installed?

Would this sort of set up be possible and do you have any suggestions?

Cheers Guys!
Rich

james.miller · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:20

its easily possible to build a decent pc in a HTPC case to double up as a media pc. the real problem is keeping it cool, which is why i finally moved my system back into an atx tower from my silverstone ssc lc03 - cooling just isnt up to scratch im afraid

Ricky C · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:07

Thanks for the reply James,

I was think of going for something like the origen X11 case but not quite sure yet..

What would the best set up be if i could get a case to keep it cool?

Rich

ACESHIGH · 23 Mar 2006 at 23:06

Perhaps something like ... dual core is the way to go imo....

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ (Socket 939) - Retail (ADA3800BVBOX) (CP-134-AM)
£206.74

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 NCQ 250GB ST3250824AS SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-058-SE)
£62.22

Abit KN8 Ultra nForce4 Ultra (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-087-AB)
£70.44

Philips SPD2400BM 16x16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM (CD-006-PH)
£25.79*

Corsair 1GB DDR Value Select PC3200 CAS3.0 Kit (2x512MB) (VS1GBKIT400C3) (MY-061-CS)
£55.17

BFG GeForce 7600 GT OC 256MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-019-BG)
£152.69

Total = £573 including VAT [plus any case & PSU you choose)

Energize · 24 Mar 2006 at 03:17

Id get a 3700 cpu, which will be faster in nearly all games anyway and get a x1800xt.

Bennah · 24 Mar 2006 at 03:51

Some current games and future releases are Dual core optimised. So are applications. He will be better off going with the dual core X2 3800+, overall a better buy. The gaming performance aint gunner be bad either. I say the same with the 3700+ SD.

Ricky C · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:22

Cheers guys,

So which graphics would be best for all round HDTV output and gaming on the 32" 1366x768 display ATI or Nvidia?

I guess this is down to personal choice and there's not much between them?

Rich

Energize · 24 Mar 2006 at 15:52

Ricky C said:
Cheers guys,

So which graphics would be best for all round HDTV output and gaming on the 32" 1366x768 display ATI or Nvidia?

I guess this is down to personal choice and there's not much between them?

Rich

Personal choice, the x1800xt is a bargain though atm.