look into the asus external card a bit more - it will not work with any of the current mobile cpu desktop units. The asus external graphics card connects via express card slots on laptops, something that is missing from all (that I know of) mac mini size pc's
spec me a small form HD HTPC
- Thread starter dvdbunny
- Start date
I'm in the middle of building a HTPC/gaming machine
basically wanted a HTPC case that would fit under my Denon amp with the same dimensions, but i wanted to put my 360's hd-dvd drive in while being pretty silent and it needed to be powerful enough for gaming (HL2 and source) and 3d modelling/photochopping for when i finish my placement and go back to do my final year of uni
so far i've got an Origen AE H7 case. nice and simple design but looks just stunning! it is also the same width and height as my Denon. I'm gonna put that abit F-190HD in with a core 2 of some description, couple of gigs of mem, dvd-rw and hd-dvd drive (hacked up and modded so it fits in the case nicely
), x1950pro, seasonic psu for silence and i was gonna try run the lot passive or close enough with a thermalright SI-128 for the cpu and the HR-03 for the gpu. an e6300/e6320 should be able to run passive and should also be more than capable of playing back HD-DVD's at 720p (max res of my PJ) but the gpu may get a bit too toasty for passive. eitherway a slow movin 120mm fan should sort it for a bit of airflow
basically wanted a HTPC case that would fit under my Denon amp with the same dimensions, but i wanted to put my 360's hd-dvd drive in while being pretty silent and it needed to be powerful enough for gaming (HL2 and source) and 3d modelling/photochopping for when i finish my placement and go back to do my final year of uni
so far i've got an Origen AE H7 case. nice and simple design but looks just stunning! it is also the same width and height as my Denon. I'm gonna put that abit F-190HD in with a core 2 of some description, couple of gigs of mem, dvd-rw and hd-dvd drive (hacked up and modded so it fits in the case nicely
), x1950pro, seasonic psu for silence and i was gonna try run the lot passive or close enough with a thermalright SI-128 for the cpu and the HR-03 for the gpu. an e6300/e6320 should be able to run passive and should also be more than capable of playing back HD-DVD's at 720p (max res of my PJ) but the gpu may get a bit too toasty for passive. eitherway a slow movin 120mm fan should sort it for a bit of airflow
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Just to let you know, I'm not convinced on that motherboards ability to output 1080p. The UK abit website says that it will do "up to 1080i".
A point to note as well is that HDMI is _very_ similar to DVI, so much so that you can get simple converters from one to the other.
Another point is that the HVR-1300 only has a single Digital tuner, so if you want to record TV then you either:
a) Watch channel 1-5 live + record from digital
or
b) Watch digital channel live + record from channels 1-5
My final point is that there is software such as Freevo & mythtv that allow you to create a PVR/Media box without having to buy a copy of windows. It may be a bit more involved (although distributions such as knoppmyth can make it easier), but it's free and much more satisfying
Also, if you're going to have this by your TV, it's worth considering the components on the basis of noise. The stock cooler on your core2duo and the HD will produce noise, and you may want to consider alternatives.
(I'm currently putting together a mythtv box with an Antec Fusion, using an old Athlon64 4000+, 1Gb ram and a passive 7300GT)
A point to note as well is that HDMI is _very_ similar to DVI, so much so that you can get simple converters from one to the other.
Another point is that the HVR-1300 only has a single Digital tuner, so if you want to record TV then you either:
a) Watch channel 1-5 live + record from digital
or
b) Watch digital channel live + record from channels 1-5
My final point is that there is software such as Freevo & mythtv that allow you to create a PVR/Media box without having to buy a copy of windows. It may be a bit more involved (although distributions such as knoppmyth can make it easier), but it's free and much more satisfying
Also, if you're going to have this by your TV, it's worth considering the components on the basis of noise. The stock cooler on your core2duo and the HD will produce noise, and you may want to consider alternatives.
(I'm currently putting together a mythtv box with an Antec Fusion, using an old Athlon64 4000+, 1Gb ram and a passive 7300GT)
sup3rc0w said:
yeah though i opted for the one without the VFD to save money lol, also not sure if id really use it. eitherway you can buy the VFD kits for them so could always get one as and when
but yeah its an awesome case. even the cd-rom bezels and eject buttons etc are quality aluminium. BTW ive got the black version
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