I want a HTPC, but new to it, advice please?

ChrisD. · 30 Oct 2011 at 13:11

I want a HTPC, I've eyed some cases up in the MM, and I have an Enermax 400W PSU here.

What spec do I need for the other bits? I would like to use it to stream 1080p (normally 10GB files) to my amp/TV, download from newsgroups etc. I would also like it to be near silent.

Also how do I use a remote and which OS to put on it?

Cleanthes · 30 Oct 2011 at 19:28

ChrisD. · 30 Oct 2011 at 22:33

Would be a Silverstone case.

Cleanthes · 31 Oct 2011 at 00:01

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 08:13

Are they boards with built in CPU or something?

Was looking at buying used in the MM.

R088ieS86 · 31 Oct 2011 at 08:31

If your going for used you will be ver lucky to find any fusion boards about as their relatively new.

If your going for used have a look for:
a mATX socket 775 board,
a low powered CPU like an e2180 or similar
and silent graphics card for play back - EG HD 5450 or such

I'm sure you could put up a wanted thread.

most silverstone cases will support mATX boards.
As far as CPU cooling goes you may have to shell out for a new cooler, their aren't many low profile CPU coolers on the MM.

something like this would be much quieter than the intel stock fan: Scythe Shuriken Rev.B Quiet Low Profile CPU Cooler
and will fit most media cases.

hope that gives you somewhere to start from.

Edit: if you have a tv/amp which passes 3D content through you will need a graphics card which has a HDMI 1.4/1.4a port.

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 08:44

Thanks.

There is a slimline Silverstone NT07-775 cooler for sale now, think I'll buy that.

Will my ATX sized PSU fit in a Silverstone case? I'm after a case that looks like a normal amp, with USB on the front.

Also, will ITX boards fit?

R088ieS86 · 31 Oct 2011 at 08:50

If you find a case post the model up, but most cases you describe take PSUs up to 140mm/150mm long. (90% of PSUs)
ITX isn't always supported, but you'll find that if mATX is the largest size the case takes it will normally handle mini ITX aswell.

(theres a zotac 9300 ITX board going i think)
EDIT: (And i think you found it - lol)

Nightglow · 31 Oct 2011 at 08:52

Have a look at the Asrock Z68M-ITX/HT around £80, great little board for a htpc, come with a useful remote, I have one with a Pentium G850.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68M-ITX/HT

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 08:55

The case I'm looking at is the SilverStone GD02B, it's in the MM. If not that then I'll just buy something new.

Is that Zotac board worth it over something new like the ASRock? Since the ASRock has a remote with it, I'll probably buy that.

What about wireless keyboards and mice? Is there an inexpensive Logitech set available?

I also take it that the case takes normal SATA drives fine?

Would I have to buy any additional cooling fans?

Sorry for the dumb questions, I've never ever looked at doing this.

R088ieS86 · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:03

Yup takes:
2x 3.5" drives
mATX & mini ITX and your PSU will fit as it takes anything up to 170mm.
cooling it has 2x 80mm fans already.

stealth edit there!! The ASRock handles the new sandybridge CPUs which will be more expensive, but if you don't mind that its a good buy.

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:10

I'd rather keep costs down, so if I can get an older CPU that will do the job then I'd opt for that, maybe an older C2D or something?

Only requirements are 1080p video, music, we browsing, maybe a little bit of YouTube, but mainly 1080p streaming.

R088ieS86 · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:14

The zotac 9300 takes C2D's and has a built in nVidia GPU so 1080p streaming will be no issue @ all.

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:16

So if I buy that Zotac, I don't need a GFX card like the 5450?

R088ieS86 · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:21

Correct. - although it might be worth asking why they used a 5450. any issues etc

Nightglow · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:24

R088ieS86Yes it will,if you used a 2500k, etc but that's overkill for a htpc, something like a Pentium (Sandybridge)G620 skt 1155 - 2.60GHz @ £52:99p should be sufficient.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-384-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=2037

Also 4gb of memory is ample, I'm using Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 @ £23:99p

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Asrock board, G620 & Hpyer X memory total cost £157.

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:25

Seems a good contender then, should be able to get that board, a CPU and RAM for less than £100 I hope?

Would I be better off getting a mATX board instead? Or is it a case of once it's in, it doesn't matter?

Also, will that do sound via the HDMI to my amp?

R088ieS86 · 31 Oct 2011 at 09:58

Nightglow said:
R088ieS86Yes it will,if you used a 2500k, etc but that's overkill for a htpc, something like a Pentium (Sandybridge)G620 skt 1155 - 2.60GHz @ £52:99p should be sufficient.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-384-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=2037

Also 4gb of memory is ample, I'm using Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 @ £23:99p

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Asrock board, G620 & Hpyer X memory total cost £157.

I meant it would be more expensive than popping a £15 second hand C2D in. I agree its a nice little board, but with it you will also need a graphics card. even the i3-2100s stutter occasionally with HD play back, it can't Amway keep the 23fps needed for smooth play back.

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 10:05

I think I'll get a Zotac due to inbuilt GPU.

Will the Kingston RAM above work on it?

EDIT just read it doesn't.

ChrisD. · 31 Oct 2011 at 11:12

Will the Silverstone Milo ML03B house my PSU?