HTPC Spec Check

Veg

Veg

Veg

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1 Jun 2009
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Hi, new here, been a forum lurker for some time.

Was hoping for a quick check on the following motherboard, CPU and RAM. I've just blown up my old motherboard (based around an Athlon 64 3000) :rolleyes:.

I'm looking for something that will handle blu-ray smoothly, I already have a Sapphire HD 4550 512MB to go in it, if this makes any difference. Board has to be matx and needs to be silent.

Looking for a cheap setup, so far I've got this spec'd:

AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 240 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 240 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £45.99

OCZ Titanium 4GB (2x2GB) Edition DDR2 PC2-6400 Dual Channel (OCZ2T800C44GK) OCZ Titanium 4GB (2x2GB) Edition DDR2 PC2-6400 Dual Channel (OCZ2T800C44GK) £42.54

Foxconn M61PMV nForce 430 (Socket AM2/AM2+) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Foxconn M61PMV nForce 430 (Socket AM2/AM2+) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £33.99




Will this work & do what I want? Also will I be able to use my Zalman Flower Cu fan that I had on my old socket 939 board?

Many thanks for your help :)
 
Thanks for all the replies, just to check 2 more possibilities I was considering:-

1. Go for something based around a C2D 5300. That said, I don't really want to overclock in an htpc, and I guess this is where the 5300s come into their own.

2. Buy a new 939 motherboard, which would be around the £50 quid mark, wait until newer technology comes.

My main concern is if I go with an AMD 4850 / 5050e (which it sounds like I'd be better off with), will I see a better/smoother system than I had before? Also, after a bit of googling, these seem really scarce (amongst reputable retailers) - any others recommended?

If I go with the Asus 785G, am I better off scrapping my 4550 graphics card, or will I see some benefit from it?


Final question, 2GB vs 4GB - will I see any gains from one to the other, likely to be running Vista or possibly Win 7.


Final final question, can the Scythe Ninja run fanless on the 4850 / 5050?


Final, final. final question!!! :D Is it worth going for an AM3 board over the AM2+ board for future proofing - DDR3 ram seems over priced.


Thanks all, again, really appreciated! :)
 
I run a E2160 @ 1.8Ghz with 2x2Gb OCZ Platinum PC6400 on a Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H motherboard (the dog's danglies for HTPC) but they are pricey...I paid £128 for mine some 3 months ago. This system runs everything thrown at it (apart from games obviously) but has hdmi output plus 7.1 HD sound. If you need more info check out some of the top quality and great budget spec systems @ avforums.com

hth.
 
Last edited:
The Deuce said:
I run a E2160 @ 1.8Ghz with 2x2Gb OCZ Platinum PC6400 on a Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H motherboard (the dog's danglies for HTPC) but they are pricey...I paid £128 for mine some 3 months ago. This system runs everything thrown at it (apart from games obviously) but has hdmi output plus 7.1 HD sound. If you need more info check out some of the top quality and great budget spec systems @ avforums.com

hth.
Click to expand...

Same board in my HTPC with an E5200. Very nice board, streams DVDs and Blu-Rays a treat :)
 
The Deuce said:
ditch the cpu and go for a 5050e or 4850e, far better for htpc. OCUK dont stock them so have a google about.
Click to expand...

These 45W cpus are fine, but old tech now (I own one) 785G and Athlon II is a good combo, and you can undervolt it so it runs very cool and about 45W anyway.

Or you can wait a little while and get a 45W Athlon II X4 or X3, they are meant to be showing up any time now.
 
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