Custom Computer

[DragonSoull]

Well this post really isn't just about the Motherboard but since theres no topic for custom computers i decided to post it here :\

So heres the deal, I use P2P allot (please let us not make this about legal issues, ok?) so my PC [ http://madalien.com/aboutdragonsoull.html#isbeast ] is always on but it's bloody noisy and for this kind of task a waste of power (whe all have to pay the light bills), so I was thinking of building a new PC to handle this task and to also serve has a multimedia server and a PVR.

There are my initial base requirements:
- Very Quite
- Low Power comsumption
- Small form factor (the size of a VCR would be ok)

Will function has:
- Media Server
- Playback Device
- PVR

Note: Cheap would be nice

So what components should I use? I've heard of the mini-ITX platform but would that be enough? Please comment.

 

[endyen]

I'm not a big fan of small form factor computers. More so if you want quiet and cool. A large case will allow for better heat disapation, so fewer fans ( which also use power ) It's generally easier to hide a larger box than the noise of a screaming fan.
My recomendation would be an NF7-s board (soundstorm for great multimedia, low power built in) and an xp-m 2500+ chip (uses only 45 watts and can be cooled by a small quiet fan) I would only go high end on the video card if it were to be used as a game centre as well. An AIW 9600 might be nice for TV viewing though.

 

[DragonSoull]

Maybe big cases are better but when you live in a tiny house hidding a big case becomes allot harder :\

Hum, looking at your hardware sugestions it would seem to me that you gave me a near description of what I already have with is not what I whant.

The machine I'm thinking is not for gaming I already have a capable machine to do that.

All I want it for is to run has a p2p client, media server, music/movie palyback 24/7, and since it would be in the living room (conected to the TV of course) I thought it would be nice to add PVR habilities too...

Maybe I'm missing the big picture but I think even an old P2 would do what I need (with some extra hardware for mpeg2 real time compression) am i really that wrong?

 

[blackphoenix77]

Water Cooling.

<A HREF="http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?michael" target="_new"> You Want To Click Me, Go Ahead </A>

 

[jammydodger]

Via anyone? The Eden CPU consumes about 6watts, can be passivly cooled. Its corresponding motherboard is 12x12Cm. Now Kazaa isnt exactly CPU intensive so it might be worth having a look into this system.

[Insert witty comment here]

 

[Carnecerro]

Have you ever considered a linux box? I run an Athlon 700 with 512 megs ram with a Geforce2 MX and a TV tuner. I run a Debian build with MythTV. MythTV is a Tivo like system that records TV and burns DVD's. Debian has server functions and my box is really quiet with a processor fan and one quiet 80MM fan in the back.

 

[jihiggs]

where can i find information about this debian mythtv? specificaly where can i download it??

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[DragonSoull]

Linux is a possibility, but it's not that simple I use a mod of emule that blocks sharing based on IP ranges because my ISP charges a fortune for International traffic and by default I only get 1GB , if theres something similar for linux then it really becomes a contender, also MythTV seems to be what I'm looking, It doesn't have listing of my country (Portugal) shows but maybe that could be fixed...


VIA's mini-ITX are very nice but their top model would cost me about €400 and that only includes Board/cpu and the case/psu, so I don't think it's worth it.

Water cooling! In a system that's is sopese to run 24/7? It very well be safe but I'm not shure id like to risk it :\

 

[Crashman]

You'd be better off with an old K6-2 desktop AT system than one of those Mini-ITX platforms.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
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[blah]

get an old flat P2 HP PC (it has 125W PS with a silent fan), put external big drive on it, you are set to go. I have HP 200Pro with 192MB, runs server 2k like a charm with all the stuff I need sometimes.

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...

 

[mopeygoth]

small? compact? He should do this to his tv/crt...
<A HREF="http://www.tweak.dk/newtweak/casemod.php?caseid=43" target="_new">http://www.tweak.dk/newtweak/casemod.php?caseid=43</A>

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