Powerful HTPC?

ssmacc · 10 Mar 2009 at 11:59

Hello,

I’m trying to but together a spec for a quiet HTPC, as a member if this forum I’d like all the power I can get! With that in mind what processors can be run safely fanless in a Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-091-AN (what cooler would you go for?)

HTPC will be used mainly for:

Web Browsing / E-mail (outlook 2007)
BluyRay / HD-DVD
.mkv 720p / 1080p
WinRar (Big files)

I’m thinking of an AMD 780G chipset but only because I don’t know much about the Intel equivalent.

Any views welcome.

Cheers

Royal Fleet · 10 Mar 2009 at 12:07

I have got that case, and use the stock cooling (chip and case fans), and to be honest I can never hear the fans, just the HDD.

If this is going in a bedroom then it may be a different matter, but in our Lounge it is really not an issue.

ssmacc · 10 Mar 2009 at 12:11

Thanks for that it is the living room.

What CPU etc have you got?

Cheers

TONY · 10 Mar 2009 at 12:27

I wanted to build a HTPC but like the case your looking at here most won't support more than two 3.5" internal hdd and I would like 8tb of storage atleast.

Royal Fleet · 10 Mar 2009 at 12:29

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600

Built it about a year ago.

Full spec was

Abit Fatal1ty F-I90HD ATI, S775, PC
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600, Allendale C
256MB Sapphire HD3470 PCI-E 2.0 140
Antec Fusion Silver MediaCentre Mic
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premiu
500 GB Samsung HD501LJ Spinpoint T1
Accuratus KYB-TOUGHBALLCordless RF
Asus WL-138g V2 54G Wireless PCI Ad

Use it for same as you want it for, although play a few basic games as well (Lego Star Wars mainly!)

95thrifles · 10 Mar 2009 at 12:57

Youre best getting the fastest CPU you can afford so you dont have to clock it, thats the problem with HTPC's, in order to keep the noise down you cant really clock, so get the fastest default CPU you can afford. If you want quiet HDD's Id look at the WD caviar greens, theyre meant to be very good

ssmacc · 10 Mar 2009 at 12:57

TONY said:
I wanted to build a HTPC but like the case your looking at here most won't support more than two 3.5" internal hdd and I would like 8tb of storage atleast.

I did think that until I got my first external hard drive (last week) I’m that impressed with it I’ve decided to go for 2x 1GB Internal Hard Drives and some external for film/TV storage, plug in when needed.