HTPC Spec Advice

DezUk · 2 Dec 2007 at 23:09

Hi folks,

I am just in the process of moving out into my own flat and I want to get all my media needs sorted out so I thinking of investing in a HTPC. I haven't done too much research but have thrown together this spec and was looking for opinions if it will do the job?

The machine will be used to playback HD DVD files and Bluray files along with any other high def content. This will be feeding a Pioneer 508XD plasma which should arrive at the end of the week

Will also be wanting to bropwse the odd webpage but no gamining just media playback. I have a couple of 500gb hard drives btw hence they are no on the list

jak731 · 2 Dec 2007 at 23:21

why not get the e6550 if yoru not overclocking since it apparantly supports 1333FSB cpus under bios 16 http://www.uabit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=48&page=3&model=339 , its only 0.07ghz slower. or a e2180 if you are willing to overclock

HummuH1 · 3 Dec 2007 at 13:28

I'd say no need for a CPU cooler (adds more fan noise too) but you will need a HDCP compatible Graphics Card.

IF it's just HD Video, then I run a P4 3GHz with a 7900GTX and it works fine.

So, I'd say don't go OTT on your CPU and look for one of the better 79XX Nividia series cards.

badbob · 3 Dec 2007 at 13:36

no need for a CPU cooler (adds more fan noise too)

ummm retail HSF is noisy, and with a mini ninja I'd run it at low rpm, you're not going to hear it.

P4 3GHz with a 7900GTX and it works fine.

1080p H264 is borderline on a P4 3ghz

k for one of the better 79XX Nividia series cards.

Wrong. Get a fast CPU, and a basic videocard. 6600 is a bit OTT for a HTPC though. The loudest thing will be the case fans, both on low will produce a fair amount of noise (I have Antec fans) I'd get value ram no need for fast speeds. Also that case is quite expensive with no noise reduction (I would expect the Fusion to have the same side and top panels from the P182

Alex53 · 3 Dec 2007 at 13:38

What graphics does the choice above have? Integrated into the mobo ?

badbob · 3 Dec 2007 at 13:41

ATI® RX700

Alex53 · 3 Dec 2007 at 13:44

Without wanting to hijack a thread, how does that compare to the onboard graphics of the 'Abit AN-M2HD nForce 520 "PCI-Express" (Socket AMD) DDR2 Motherboard'

wiiija · 3 Dec 2007 at 14:31

Do NOT buy the F-I90HD, its a terrible motherboard with a very high failure rate.
Go with the spanking new G35 based Asus P5E-VM HDMI board instead

R4z0r · 3 Dec 2007 at 16:44

badbob said:
Wrong. Get a fast CPU, and a basic videocard. 6600 is a bit OTT for a HTPC though. The loudest thing will be the case fans, both on low will produce a fair amount of noise (I have Antec fans) I'd get value ram no need for fast speeds. Also that case is quite expensive with no noise reduction (I would expect the Fusion to have the same side and top panels from the P182

Not sure about that... Modern nvidia and ATI graphics cards can do HD decoding in hardware taking almost all the burden off of the CPU. You definitely don't want a basic card - have a look at the ATi 3850 256MB which is ideal for an HTPC.

CPU wise, I'd for an E2180.

badbob · 3 Dec 2007 at 16:51

Modern nvidia and ATI graphics cards can do HD decoding in hardware taking almost all the burden off of the CPU. You definitely don't want a basic card

Please clarify why not. I've used onboard and ATI X300 and the latter with 128MB copes fine. Something like a 2600 Pro is fine, anything more is just a waste of money.

have a look at the ATi 3850 256MB which is ideal for an HTPC.

overkill.

R4z0r · 3 Dec 2007 at 17:05

badbob said:
Please clarify why not. I've used onboard and ATI X300 and the latter with 128MB copes fine. Something like a 2600 Pro is fine, anything more is just a waste of money.

Erm, I said in my post, you get hardware HD decoding on higher spec cards, you don't on a basic card. It's certainly not a waste of money, it's the single most important part of an HTPC if you want to play HD content. What's the point of having a blueray drive if your graphics card doesn't support HDCP?!

I can see you approach of throwing CPU cycles at decoding but ulitmately you going to end up with high CPU usage (More heat, less stable system) and you're going to get a poorer image quality.

If you just want to play a few xVID's then it's not such a problem but for playing back 1080p blueray discs you really want dedicated hardware.

I agree an HD capable 2600 would be an excellent choice, but then I wouldn't call that a "basic videocard" ...

badbob · 3 Dec 2007 at 17:12

ou get hardware HD decoding on higher spec cards, you don't on a basic card

Yes you do. £60 videocard gets you one with HD acceleration.

What's the point of having a blueray drive if your graphics card doesn't support HDCP?!

You're talking about HDCP now? Make your mind up!

you going to end up with high CPU usage (More heat, less stable system)

So? I'm sure a 2ghz dual core won't have a problem. As for heat instead of the CPU being higher % the videocard will expel more heat. As for "less stable" utter rubbish.

get a poorer image quality.

Wrong

but then I wouldn't call that a "basic videocard" ...

What would you call it then? have you actually built a HTPC? I have.

R4z0r · 3 Dec 2007 at 17:18

Both HDCP support and hardware HD decoding are important for an HTPC ...

The rest of your points all rely on the definition of "basic videocard" which you've only recently elaborated on - we can't read your mind!

Bigpops · 3 Dec 2007 at 19:33

Ditch the cooler and arctic silver, they aren't needed.

Swap the CPU for a retail E2160, get the LG Blu-ray writer/HD-DVD combo drive instead of the single format Pioneer, and an ATi 2400 graphics card. For about £30 more than the spec posted above, you'll get a machine capable of playing both HD disc formats in their full resolution, over HDMI, while hardly touching the CPU.

While the spec in the opening post will play 1080p blu-ray (it would need an HD-DVD rom drive to play HD-DVD too), you'll need to give the onboard graphics 256MB of ram (i have this mobo, so i know), and the CPU will be running well over 80% of full load as the RX700 hardly helps out at all.

Also, get the silver Antec fusion too if it won't look out of place. The display on it is better than the one on the black case.

PS. The onboard video supports HDCP anyway, but £30 on the ATi card is well spent as it takes almost all H.264 and VC-1 decoding duties from the CPU.

Furton · 3 Dec 2007 at 22:47

Ignore.