HTPC related questions....

Gav

Gav

Gav

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I'm looking to build a HTPC so i could do with a bit of guidance from you guys....

So far i have bought a q6600 :) Case wise i have been looking at the Thermaltake Bach Media Lab VB8001BNS. I am also looking to include a blu-ray drive (writer at a later date once they become more affordable)

What i am looking for is ideas on motherboard, graphics, audio and memory.

TIA
Gav
 
I built An HTPC a few weeks ago using a Q6600 & my advice is

1. Gigabyte P35 motherboard, they claim to output full HD sound via the analogue ports. Done this & its OK on some HD discs but not others, it depends on what type of Audio track is encoded on the disc. I'd try to find one with spdif co-ax & optical outputs too (the DS4 has them as this is the board I chose)

2. Ati Graphics card - 2400/2600 or 3xxx series cards should do the trick, I suggest the 3850 if your pockets are deep enough & want to play the odd game.

3. Any DDR2 ram should do if you are not planning on overclocking, I'd get 2gig as a minimum though regardless of what OS you plan on using.
 
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cheers mate...

ds4 sounds like a safe bet then :)

whats your thoughts on an x1950 pro?
 
I don't think X1950pro is HDCP enabled, with blu-ray its a requirement unfortunately, hence the suggestion of the above cards in my previous post.
 
UPDATE>>>>

this is what i have managed to scrape together ....

Zalman HD160+ HTPC Case
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO
Intel q6600 processor
Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe CPU Cooler
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 motherboard
Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX (2x1GB)
Maxtor Diamondmax 22 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache
LG GGW-H20L Blu-Ray Rewriter & HD-DVD ROM Serial ATA Drive
media centre remote + receiver
Vista home premium

Do you guys see any problems with this setup?
 
Does the case come with a PSU (if not I'd get something like a Corsair HX520)
I'd check the height of the case as well, the Sythe may not fit.
 
the case is about 5cm taller than the cooler so it should fit ok

i already have a hyper type-r supply kicking around here so i am going to stick that in :)
 
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