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HTPC Build for high def video

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - HTPC Build for high def video

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Need some recommendations, and minimum specs, for a media center htpc build. This unit will record video for playback, play blu-rays. Cheaper is better.

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amd +780g

Reply to th_username

^Another vote for the AMD 780G

------------------------------ Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L*Intel E2180 OC 3.00Ghz Lapped*PowerColor ATI 3850 256MB*Patriot 2x1GB DDR2 800*Cooler Master CM690*Western Digital 250 GB*Silverstone Strider 600 Watt Modular PSU*Samsung Lightscribe Drive*CoolerMaster Geminni II Lapped Mirror Finish
Reply to SuicideSilence

+1

Or maybe a HD 3450 card ($26 at newegg) if you've already got a MB and it's not 780g.

Reply to aevm

Nope, I will be building this from the ground up. aevm, just wonderin what made you choose that paticular vid card? Never had an amd chip before, what cpu should I get for the 780g? Is gigabyte a wise choice?

Reply to bryan240g

I'm interested in this very much as well. I was thinking of putting together a HTPC and just didn't really know where to start.

I'm fine with building regular desktops, gaming rigs, etc, but am not sure about the home theater department.

Anyone have an idea about a good case for this? I have heard AMD is a better choice, so I was thinking of going there too.

Thanks everyone for the help. Bryan, I am looking forward to what you come up with as well.

Reply to huron

www.avsforum.com

So here is what I have compiled for this build, please share your thoughts.

Case: Antec Aluminum Veris Fusion Black 430 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case with IR receiver $169.99
(I may change to a different case)

Mobo:Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $66.99

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor $66.00
(Is this good enough?)

RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$64.99 after rebate

CPU Cooler: Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler
$34.99

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $189.99

Wireless card: ENCORE ENLWI-N PCI 2.3 Wireless Adapter $39.99

Blu-ray ROM: Lite-ON, I already own this.

TV: SAMSUNG ToC 46" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV w/ DNIe - LN46A650

Sound Card: HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
$79.99

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100237L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP $54.99 after rebate.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to bryan240g

Why i mentioned the HD 3450: support for HD video, extremely cheap, silent (no fan), low power consumption.

HD 3650 is a great choice too. Even better, because it has two DVI outputs. You can use it with two TVs or monitors without conversions to analog (which would happen with the HD 3450 using the VGA output).

But anyway, if you get a 780g MB you don't need a video card.

Reply to aevm

The X2 5000+ is a good choice. The retail (non- BE) already comes with a stock cooler, so no need for the Scythe. You can bump the speed to 2.8Ghz easily with the stock cooler. The Foxconn is a good board. I just built a htpc with one. The onboard HD 3200 is plenty for a htpc. No need for the hd3650. Get a cheap 50mm fan to put on the northbridge. You can then easily overclock the hd3200 to 950mhz while keeping it cool. Be sure to update to the newest bios when you get that motherboard.

Reply to orangegator

bryan240g wrote :

CPU Cooler: Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler
$34.99

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $189.99

I'd get two WD6400AAKS for a total of $180 and 1280 GB.

You're not going to overclock the CPU in a HTPC, are you? That's kind of rare, you know...
Maybe you don't need that cooler after all.

You'll need a TV tuner. Good ones have hardware encoding, so the CPu is not really used and can be very weak without causing problems. For example my Dad has a X2 5000+ (not overclocked) and a Hauppauge PVR-150 and an ATI Theater 650. Even when both tuners are working at the same time, the CPU is still nowhere near 100%.
I have no idea about HD tuners, unfortunately.

On the other hand, if you intend to do lots of video editing (say, removing ads, converting to DivX, etc.) consider a Phenom quad CPU.

Reply to aevm

No, I will not be overclocking, and this system will actually only be used for watching blu-rays, and other video and audio. I will probably load my entire library of movies on there eventually, so they can be streamed in any room in the house. At least that's the plan. And I need to find a couple of really good tuner cards. So I will ditch the GPU card, and opt for the dual 640gb hdd's. And last ditch the cpu cooler and go stock. Sounds like a plan.
Thanks for all of your help.

Reply to bryan240g

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