HTPC

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 11:07

Hi

After having looked at http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-013-OK

I decided I would rather spec the same system myself minus a few parts. Just after some advice on what I am planning to put in to it.

Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-060-AN
CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-219-AM
Mobo: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-137-AB
O/s: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-036-MS
Ram: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-010-OK
HDD: allready got
WiFi: Dont want to use as running cable down to media PC area
optical: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-100-SA

Total: £326.58 (£130 less than the system as a whole)

Couple of questions,

Media Centre remote: Yay or nay?

CPU heatsink: retail sink ok or should I spec in somthing else quieter?

Do those components look good? I'm just curious if it requires low profile optical drive or not.

Is there anything worth spending a little more on or less on which is useful in an HTPC case? This will be replacing a shuttle SN41G2 running a barton single core 2600+ (rather noisy for HTPC)

Thanks for any advice, its much appreciated

Iain

Update:

CPU Cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-012-SY&tool=3
replacement fans: 2x http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...AK-191-SM Smoke Ultra Quiet 120mm Fan - 3 pin

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 12:13

The most this system will ever be asked to do is to watch a blueray film, hd-dvd or HD encoded material at 1080p 24. I'm sure a 4600+ can handle this?

With regards to an improved cooler - which would be suitable for this case? I am guessing it is slightly low profile - so I would be worried about sticking in an artic stacker etc.

32/64 bit - who knows - I dont run any 64 bit software and the way things are going - I dont think I will ever want to.

I shall order a media remote to go with it then - thanks for the tip, I take it it is compatible with the IR receiver on the case? Is there one?

Again, thanks for the replies

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 12:15

Duroxis said:
Just one thing really, you using a HDTV? Might be worth budgeting the extra and getting a Blu Ray drive in there. An aftermarket cooler is a definate, last thing you need is noise of a fan when watching movies

Yes, it will be connected through an HDMI switchiing box (Denon 3840 amp) to a TV at 1080i.

I was umming and aaring as to purchasing one of those BR drives however i feel this would make a nice upgrade in a short time.

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 12:20

just saw the top review from the chap on OCUK. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-060-AN&tool=3

He said this V1 case does not have an IR receiver, only the V2 case has one. I wonder which it is on the OCUK site which they stock.

He also indicates he replaced the 3 120mm fans with quieter ones.

No mention of a reccomended CPU cooler.

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 14:29

arg, soo confused. I thought I knew what I was gonna buy now I have no idea

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 16:17

ok looking like this now. Think ill just buy all the bits from OCUK.

Yannic · 25 Jul 2008 at 23:45

1 more thing I was thinking about on my way home. I remember when there was a big hoo haa about the fact that graphics cards couldnt output encrypted blueray content over HDMI to a compatible TV. Is that still a problem?

All I need to know is that with that drive connected via SATA to the mobo, via the onboard ATI graphics, can I watch the content at 1080i or p on my TV? I am guessing I need a decoding piece of software... such as somthing cyberlink might make... am I limited to using cyberlink's software or does the MCE front end handle the blueray content once you have a the software codec installed?