HTPC with Vista Ultimate 64 bit...will this setup work??

[heda_p]

Hi Friends,

Almost 2 months back I started my research to build a HTPC with below criteria…
• Windows Vista ultimate 64 bit with many drivers and 20 + programs and still stable (includes Visual studio 2005/mssql 2005 /Nero/powerdvd/off2007)
• Any kind of video/audio processing DVD/MP4/PIP TV/PVR/MP3 with all in one remote solution, gaming is not the priority thought…
• 24/7 running box doing PVR and downloads, thus cooling is very important, not interested in OC• Vista MCE for TV, Power DVD for all other Video/ WM11 for MP3

Here is what I currently have….
750*2 GB SATA HD, 300GB external MAXTOR, USB DVD writer, Logitech notebook pro webcam, Harmony 550 remote and latest Panasonic 720P HD Projector PT-AX200U, 2wire wireless gateway with modem

Here is what I am looking to purchase – an ultimate HTPC with development multithreading capabilities

Component /Price

CASE: SilverStone GD01MX HTPC ATX Case with IMON LCD & Remote & advanced 52-in-1 card reader $272 (configurable remote)

PSU: COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 750W $139.99 ($50 rebate on this price) (less than 17db noise)

Motherboard: ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 (8+2 channel multi stream HD audio, SPDIF optical and WIFI ) – Retail $149.99

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 quad-core processor, 2.40GHz, 8M L2 Cache, LGA 775 $279.99

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $170

Graphics: MSI RX2600XT-T2D512EZ Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDMI HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Silent Heat Pipe Video Card - Retail $135

CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm - Retail $19.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM $5.99

Graphics Cooler: Arctic Cooling Accelero S2 (modified) $38.00

DVD Drive: LITE-ON Black 20X Lightscribe - LH-20A1H-185 $32.99

Dual Tuner Card: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1800 1129 NTSC/ATSC/QAM/FM PCI Express X1 - Retail $100


OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (MSDN Copy) $0

Total $1,343.91


Every component I checked for Vista 64 bit compatibility and seem fine, Imon remote is configurable then Harmony will use mappings of this remote to manage vista MCE…

Questions
1. Other than speaker and keyboard/mouse do you see I am missing any component?? Something related to cooling??
2. Will GDA01 MX manages to remain cool with ASUS P5K-E / 2600XT( huge heat pipe and tall) / 750 W PSU?? Let me know if more cooling needed and how can I do it??
3. Any other things which I missed and will affect my single remote All in one HTPC agenda?
4. 2600xt will it fit in this mobo/box ??


Core 2 quad/4GB ram/Vista 64 are a must for my development requirement…planning to do crossfire in 2008 with another 2600xt when it’s cheaper (thus 750W PSU), if system allow would add few more HD's…

All of these components are having pretty good opinions/ reviews on newegg.com and other sites...

I tried my best to put my requirement… Please let me know your thoughts and comments…

Prakash…

 

[roadrunner197069]

Illegal Windows shame on you. No free advice for you.

 

[heda_p]

Its a legal copy as I am a hardcore microsoft developer, certified MCDBA....so lets not start piracy war here (if you dont mind)...

 

[starcraftfanatic]

I wouldn't crossfire with 2600's as there would be no big performance boost unless you wanted to drive 4 monitors,

 

[roadrunner197069]

Its a legal copy as I am a hardcore microsoft developer, certified MCDBA....so lets not start piracy war here (if you dont mind)...

LOL. Ya, I can tell by your system specs that you are a hardcore Mircosoft developer. Oh, I don't suppose you uncle is, or knows Bill Gates right?

 

[jasb72]

hi there i was wondering how u went with the system?.. im contemplating something very similar with blu ray drive and HD output thru a receiver...

 

[Jase555]

LOL. Ya, I can tell by your system specs that you are a hardcore Mircosoft developer. Oh, I don't suppose you uncle is, or knows Bill Gates right?

It does say MSDN copy. One of the perks for paying £1500 per year is the use of Visual Stusio, Office and All operating systems. As you are personally licensed, not the company this can be a home machine as well.

However you are only supposed to be testing under the OS and not really using it as a stand alone machine. One of the MSDN people told me at a show recently that Microsoft are generally bothered about this.

I'd like to hear how you got on with the machine as I'm going to build something similar.

 

[Jase555]

Dooooh!

Mist the NOT between generally and bothered changing the message completely. It's generally considered OK to do this just not to share it with all of your mates!