I would like to build a top spec HTPC ......

Virdi · 11 Sep 2008 at 13:47

Hi,

Sorry - It's another 'spec me'

I would like to build a top spec HTPC - But it must be small and silent - So ideally based on a M-ATX Board and case etc..

What do you suggest?

Thanks

2bullish · 11 Sep 2008 at 14:17

Whats it going to be used for?

Virdi · 11 Sep 2008 at 16:36

Play HD films etc.. H.264

Glaucus · 11 Sep 2008 at 16:42

You going to rip hd/dvd to pc?

Glaucus · 11 Sep 2008 at 16:50

Just need a silent cpu cooler which fits the case. You could take the ram down to 2gig and obviously you might not need all that hard drive space. The only thing I'm not sure about is how the case screen connects to the computer.

Grimley · 11 Sep 2008 at 16:55

this cooler should fit the bill.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-012-SY&tool=3

Virdi · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:11

is that the best TV Tuner card?

I don't need a Graphics card?

tigerstyle · 12 Sep 2008 at 12:05

Virdi said:
I don't need a Graphics card?

onboard

errata · 12 Sep 2008 at 13:40

Is the zalman small enough?

I suspect not, have a look at the hiper low profile cases

Ben M · 12 Sep 2008 at 13:44

AcidHell2 said:
Just need a silent cpu cooler which fits the case. You could take the ram down to 2gig and obviously you might not need all that hard drive space. The only thing I'm not sure about is how the case screen connects to the computer.

http://upload.yhack.net/image/9915_Untitled.jpg[mg][/QUOTE]

That case can fit an ATX mobo if you want it to ;)

amkan13 · 12 Sep 2008 at 14:23

i wouldnt get that processor, a 4850e x2 low power 45w processor would be better cutting down on your electricity costs, unfortunately you'll have to get that from elsewhere as oc'uk dont stock it. some new low power 65W phenoms are coming out too in the future which you can look at.

do you need 7.1 hd sound to be outputted?
then you need to add a cheap ati 4xxx series gfx card to lpcm 7.1 output
or a Asus ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 for proper DTS-HD Master, Dolby TrueHD etc. output

Glaucus · 12 Sep 2008 at 16:39

Ben M said:
That case can fit an ATX mobo if you want it to

780g mobo is better though dedicated decoding chips.

amkan13 said:
do you need 7.1 hd sound to be outputted?
then you need to add a cheap ati 4xxx series gfx card to lpcm 7.1 output
or a Asus ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 for proper DTS-HD Master, Dolby TrueHD etc. output

Or you could do it properly and buy the option spdif out module and connect it up to an AV receiver or stereo.

Ben M · 12 Sep 2008 at 16:56

AcidHell2 said:
780g mobo is better though dedicated decoding chips.

Oh right, learn something new every day.

AbsenceJam · 12 Sep 2008 at 17:32

The G45 is a better board, does the full decode and support 7.1 full resolution LPCM via HDMI. The boards cost more but you won't need to get a XOnar HDMI down the line which costs silly money.

E2180 (small OC to 2.6Ghz~) (run stock cooler 5v)
DG45ID / DG45FC
2GB cheapest RAM (no reason at to double it)
LG BD/HD-DVD drive
Corsair VX450
Whatever case you fancy (if Antec their included PSU's are good)

Ben M · 12 Sep 2008 at 17:33

AbsenceJam said:
E2180 (small OC to 2.6Ghz~) (run stock cooler 5v)

why? I'd be more tempted to undervolt it and see how little power you can get it to use.

AbsenceJam · 13 Sep 2008 at 04:56

Ben M said:
why? I'd be more tempted to undervolt it and see how little power you can get it to use.

A lot of people download 1080p x264 encodes, a lot of these won't work under DXVA and need some grunt, but actually not as much as I said. That would be for playing AVC off of a BD in software.