Suggestions on a HTPC Build

I will definately be looking into building a HTPC in the near future. Probably with a black case so it can integrate nicely with my current setup. I've been building PC's for about 6 years now so it's not really how am I going to put it all together. I came here to this forum to take on suggestions on what components to put together.

Case: Any black HTPC case that can be rack mountable with at least 2 drive bays for cds.
Motherboard: Does not really matter if it has dual pci express because I will probably only be using 1 card. (Wireless capabilities would be excellent.)
RAM: Probably at least a Gig, not too sure on what type, depends on MOBO
CPU:Not too sure to go withdual core processors or with AMD or Intel, some input would be helpful here.
PSU: Probably something modular for ease of cabling and airflow.
Sound Card: I know I definately should get one, but I would like one that has either optical or digital coaxial connections to connect to my Digital Decoder.
Video Card: Anything that has DVI (I will be running DVI to the TV because it does not have HDMI) Potentially have VIVO as well, I do want to use my HTPC to act as a DVR.
Video Capture Card: I already have a Winfast TV2000XP card on my regular PC that I am currently not using.
HDD: Probably around 500gigs or so. I'd rather not go with raptors because they are insanely loud.
Input devices: I already have wireless mouse and keyboard.
DVD: I definately need at least one dvd burner, (lightscribe doesnt matter because I dont use that) and one DVD player that is relatively quiet when spinning.


Price range said and done, less than $2,000 I don't really want to go that high but if I have to.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I would look at Silverstone cases, I have one - it's both rack mountable and very stylish looking(and solid). I used an Athlon xp mobile on an old nf7s2 at 1.6 gigs and it always does all of my TV tasks admirably, with a fan that's barely turning and it never gets very hot. I use a hauppage wintv150 and it uses very few cpu cycles anyway. So I would try to pick a cpu that's relatively cool running cuz it don't take much and the fans can be slowed down to aid in the noise battle. Hope this helps.

I just finished my HTPC build.

My main research was devoted to sound, so ill provide you at least this information.

Buy a Creative Platinum X-Fi soundblaster card. front bay to plug your headphones if necessary etc + remote control.

X-fi platinum's front bay has an optical out both Digital and Coaxial out but
you wont recieve TRUE 5.1 coming out of it. You will only recieve stereo Outs from Optical.

I thought buying a mid range home-theatre-in-a-box would be better than any comp speakers but i found out later that im not really getting true surround..

You will get TRUE 5.1 surround if you connect your speakers Through the ANALOG output of the X-Fi Card. (kind of makes the optical out useless...)

Why am i still suggesting this? Because coming out of your PC you will still have the best sounding audio coming out of an X-fi card vs the ones that will give you 5.1 with 'decent' sound.

Depending on how much money u want to spend on sound you can connect the soundcard out to a reciever + 2 high end bookshelf speakers and work your way to surround, or you can connect it to a Logitech Z-5500 5.1 (using the analog outs of course.)

I chose the cheaper route and went to Z-5500 :Þ

Do we have a price range yet?

~Ibrahim~

Price range is included in my first post less <$2000USD

I would go with something in the ati x1xxx line for graphics card for the avivo , It has the best image and helps with incoding/ decoding on a hardware level. A x1800 all in wonder is a good deal and saves a slot. For the rest I agree with rwpritchett. zalman is great for anything cool an quit.

thanks for the suggestions, I was actually thinking on a silverstone case, I really like the one with the built in 7" touchscreen LCD, but for 650$, thats alot of dough.
With HTPC's are Intel the way to go? Or does it not really matter ?

The x1800s can get loud with the stock cooler but there are some very silent after market coolers . whats wierd is I don't see them listed on alot of sites like they where a few months the good part is they go for about $200. For the cpu I would go with anything dual core, AMD has a sff line that is aimed at the htpc market but you can't go wrong with core 2. This is the case I'm looking at ( if I can get the cash for it) http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/prod [...] 001sns.asp it's not all black but fits the rest of what your looking for. There is also this http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/prod [...] c7001.asp# it's bad axx but not realy what your lookig for, the dvd type buttons are killer. Risers suck but I could deal with it for htpc case that is that cool looking.