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Need Help w/ Budget Win7 Media Center HTPC

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Today!!! (want to use the newegg 10% Bing cashback)

BUDGET RANGE: $350 (I have some components already)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Windows Media Center use (OTA HDTV record/play), playback of HD Video (720P and 1080p) ripped to hard drive, uTorrent Box, upgrade to add a Blu-ray R/W drive down the road

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Hard Drive, DVD drive, TV Tuner (have a WinTV HVR-1600 but need IR receiver), Monitor (will use existing 720p projector)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD processor, preferably lower power (65W or less), trying to decide between an Antek NSK2480 HTPC case or a standard mid-tower (need WAF input) Perhaps this one? [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027][/url]

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe?? SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don't really know what this is - should I care for my intended use?

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 720p, but may upgrade to 1080p projector next year

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Intend to use Win7 64-bit version. Want to preserve upgradeability. Would like to use onboard video and graphics. Guessing I'll want 4GB of RAM - not sure if DDR2 or DDR3 is most appropriate. Power consumption is semi-important to me

Thanks!!!

Message edited by shawnharper on 08-14-2009 at 12:34:44 AM

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These combos would get you off to a good start:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 19-103-688 (AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor + OS combo)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.237033 (GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 motherboard + G.Skill 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM combo)

Reply to shortstuff_mt

^+1 Very nice combo for an HTPC for high def playback.

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

Reply to logainofhades

Thanks! Going to pass on the OS for now (will use the Vista I have until Win7 is released).

BUT, should I go with this combo w/ "better" memory (Same brand, but 1600 vs 1333) instead for the same price? Or is there something I don't know about that memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.237034

Reply to shawnharper

The 1333 with the lower timings in most thing would probably be better. The 1600 would possibly give more overclocking headroom.

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

Reply to logainofhades

So you're recommending stick w/ the 1333? Let me know, and I'll pull the trigger on the mem/cpu/momo set. Thanks!

Reply to shawnharper

Yea I would stick with the 1333.

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

Reply to logainofhades

Thanks you guys. Ended up with the Combos suggested (incl 1333) plus a NSX 4480 black case.

Any recommendations for IR control? I just realized that I have no provisions for that? Preferably something that works in conjunction with the Win TV HVR 1600 card I have?

Reply to shawnharper

You can purchase any generic MCE with a bundled external USB IR receiver for about $30.

If your budget allows, since the NSK2480 has an extra 5.25" bay you can get something like this for about $70:

SilverStone MFP51

There are a number of other 5.25" VFD/LCD panels that come bundled with remotes if you shop around.

Reply to rwpritchett

Thanks RW. While I like the "ooh" look, I'll be sitting ~15' away, and won't have much use for it. My current HP z555 has one, and it's more annoyance than useful.

One of those things that sounds like a good idea in theory...

Reply to shawnharper

Post some pics when you get it up.

Hers mine wanting to get a projector 1080p.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLQV_OsBX58

Reply to daship

@ daship:

What program interface are you using to get the menus that are showing in your video? That's probably the smoothest interface I've seen to date.

Is it interfaced to work with Cyberlink power DVD 9.1 or does it have its own dvd player program?

Nice setup. I have a projector, not 1080P yet but is going in the basement to project on a 10' fixed screen. I can't wait to get it set up and the interface like yours would put it over the top.

I'm currently changing my hardware due to my gigabyte motherboard going bad so now's the perfect time to redo everything, lol.

Message edited by englandr753 on 08-15-2009 at 06:47:16 AM

Reply to englandr753

Guessing it's XBMC, based on the scrolling at the bottom. Pretty slick, but running on a computer (rather than an xbox?)

Reply to shawnharper

I'm kinda thinking its mediaportal. I found the site to get it and some of the screenshots are identical to the dvd movie menus.

It appears to be free and I'm downloading now as we speak...

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/download.html

Reply to englandr753

Since I need TV recording functionality, that leaves Mediaportal out in the cold.

Received my parts from Newegg just now - guess I'll be system building tonight!

Reply to shawnharper

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Need Help w/ Budget Win7 Media Center HTPC