New HTPC Build - Antec NSK2480 vs Fusion V2

Soldato
Joined
20 Aug 2006
Posts
9,714
errr .. what are the main differences is it as simple as slightly lower spec PSU, no IR, and no VFD/LCD ?

if so - seems better value at almost half the price ??

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...NSK 2480 Desktop Case - 380W Earth Watts PSU

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ntec Fusion Black HTPC Case - 430HE Watt PSU

spec I'm build is as follows - would 380W be enough ? I imagine it will ?

Gigabyte 78GM-S2H uATX mobo
AMD 4850e 45W CPU
2gb Corsair RAM
Asus 3650 Silent passive graphics card
1 x 640gb AAKS (both HDDs spare from another build)
1x 500gb AAKS
Pioneer DVD-writer

+ option in future to put in an Asus D2 Xonar sound-card

any suggestions please ?

thanks, Mark.
 
Yes they're pretty much the same case except the Fusion has the more powerful PSU and fancy bits. That spec wouldn't even need anything approaching 380w.

I take it you're going to be playing games on your HTPC (hence the 3650)? Will you want audio ouput over HDMI at any point?
 
hi thanks for reply ... no - no games - I have a PC in another room which is my gaming one (OC Quad + 8800GTX)

don't need audio over HDMI at the moment as amp is not compatible :(

reason for 3650 vs the on-board video -seems to get better results in HQV DVD playback tests - will take loading off motherboard, and I may use VGA instead of HDMI so that I can get 1:1 pixel matching with my Plasma ...

I think... anyway !
 
Have you actually seen a head-head of 780G vs 3650? It's a visual benchmark so you really need the same person doing it with the same software and drivers. Though with 780G and a Phenom you get additional post-processing which ups the HQV score so perhaps the 3650 does this as standard. Really annoying that you don't get this with CPU's other than Phenom, doubt there's a good reason for it.
However consider cost + power consumption. 4850e + 3650 vs Phenom - there's not much it. I would personally buy a Phenom if I wasn't happy with just 780G + any CPU, takes more power but you can easily undervolt and underclock it.
The MA78GM has VGA out by the way.

I think that as far as audio is concerned you're best sticking with analog rather than HDMI for the time being, a decent card like the Xonar as you say. Almost every solution for outputting 7.1 via HDMI is still limited.
 
AbsenceJim - just going to use Optical out on the mobo for AC3 sound for the moment - Asus card would allow me to get full lossless analogue audio from Hi-def formats

780G chipset + Phenom = melting mobo I think ... anything over 100W CPU = no/no apparently ?

I could do everything via FFDSHOW and not use hardware decoding I suppose...

3650 is about 50 quid ... almost worth adding it at the start for "options" later rather than faffing about inside again ! lol
 
Plenty of MA78GM users with the highest spec Phenoms (which would be rather excessive...). Some 780G boards dying with high power CPU's was a result of AMD proviidng manufacturers with rather loose guidelines so some cut costs.
I have a 4450e + MA78GM waiting to be built but this was cheap in the members market and only for an occasional use machine. Were I buying a primary HTPC I'd certainly go Phenom and perhaps wait on 790GX (July I believe).
Just something to consider really. Nothing wrong with what you're planning (though you're missing a BD drive)!
 
The fusion also has a more attractive finish on the front plate (aluminium plate) the standard case is steel & plastic silentpcreview will tell you more about both.

HDMI audio from the video card may be useful later if your playing protected BR content and your tv is HDMI comtpatible.
 
thanks guys - ordered the system today :) !

went Intel in the end as I'm more comfortable with Intel

Asus P5E-VM HDMI
2180 (will overclock slightly)
2gb OCZ cas4 RAM
Sapphire 3650
Pioneer DVD Drive

will add to it my Audigy 4 Pro - for if I want analogue out from HD-DVD playback

HD-DVD from my 360

and 640gb AAKS I have spare
 
Back
Top Bottom