HTPC only, no gaming build for living room

[escher138]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: as soon as parts are determined
BUDGET RANGE: flexible, up to ~1000 or so, dont need overkill for the job it will do

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: recording TV, video playback, bluray playback, music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard/mouse, TV

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg (US)

PARTS PREFERENCES: none
OVERCLOCKING: not really interested, more concerned about heat and noise

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: original message edited

------------------------------------------------
edit on 7/4 to add:
Rearranged cabinet, can now use an old D.Vine 4 case http://www.ahanix.com/products/mce/mce_d4.php

Here are some parts I am now looking at:

AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX $74.99
GIGABYTE GA-785GMT-USB3 AM3 AMD 785G USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $94.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $94.99 - $10.00 combo discount
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $54.99
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply 59.99 - $15.00 rebate - $25 combo discount
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK $98.99
LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader SATA Model iHOS104-08 $64.99
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1850 (updated version of 1800) MCE Kit 1128 PCI-Express x1 Interface $99.99
total ~600

I picked the MB for the USB3 and hdmi, will it work with the ram and CPU?
My case will fit ATX, should I just go for a regular ATX board instead of micro? if so, suggestions?
I have a 1TB drive already I can use for storage, that is why I only have a 500gb there. will be for OS
I thought the modular Power Supply might be nice for overcrowding concerns, is this one alright and will it work with my MB?
I am getting confused over the TV recording cards, I understand this will not record Premium HD channels, will it record regular channels HD provided by Cable company, or is that only via the antenna thing (QAM)?
--------------------------------------------------------

 

[Niklas_13]

I would try the onboard video first, maybe try a build like this for a HTPC



Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EARS 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136513
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $10.99
• 2 year: $18.99
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136513

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128397
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $10.99
• 2 year: $18.99
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
Item #: N82E16817371034
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $10.99
• 2 year: $18.99
-$5.00 Instant
$69.99
$64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-2GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231208
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231208

AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX250OCGQBOX
Item #: N82E16819103681
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $10.99
• 2 year: $18.99
$62.00
1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

SAMSUNG Black Blu-ray Combo Drive - Bulk SATA Model SH-B083L/BSBP LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151199
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $9.99
• 2 year: $16.99
-$10.00 Instant
$99.99
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151199

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body LC17-B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
Item #: N82E16811163055
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$139.99
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163055
Subtotal: $691.93

Pick up a wireless KB/Mouse

 

[Alvin Smith]

Great build ... LOVE the case ... mucho swank !

SERIOUSLY CONSIDER VERY COMPLETE VENTING OF THE CUBBY/CABINET (ACTIVE?)

Since there is a bit of flex, in the budget, I would strongly recommend (would be prudent) to go with 4GB ram and a Rena 440. This would allow alot more flexibility of usage, even if none is planned. TV tuners use a lot of CPU power, for instance and surfing while listening to music (while turning stuff into mp3s) can also use the extra power.

This is a VERY cool HTPC KB ... I am in the dark, typing on it right now ...
... coffee killed the first one I owned ... panic! ... rushed out one hour later and got another one at BestBuy. FanTAStic feel ... three levels of mellow white light show only the characters ... ultra-thin with clear plexi border. WAY WAY good!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043&Tpk=logitech%20illuminated

= Al =

 

[batuchka]

$484

 

[Alvin Smith]

... and ... An OUSTANDING discreet HTPC option ... does need some kind of air-flow.

ZOTAC ZT-20404-20L GeForce GT 240 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card *** Passive Fanless cooling *** (supports TWO HD displays)

@ $91

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500138

http://www.zotacusa.com/zone-geforce-gt-240-1gb-550mhz-1580mhz-zt-20404-20l.html

Enjoy silent computing without sacrificing 3D performance with the ZOTAC GeForce® GT 240 ZONE® Edition. The ZOTAC GeForce® GT 240 ZONE® Edition is ready to take on the latest 3D games and applications powered by Microsoft® DirectX® 10.1, OpenGL 3.2, and NVIDIA® PhysX® technologies for breathtaking realism and unprecedented performance.

The ZOTAC GeForce® GT 240 ZONE® Edition excels in home theater tasks as well with its silent operation, NVIDIA® PureVideo™ HD technology, HDMI 1.3a compatibility with deep color and xvYCC technologies, and 7.1-channel digital surround sound HDMI audio output. Whether its gaming or home theater use, the ZOTAC GeForce® GT 240 ZONE® Edition is the perfect graphics card for silent computing. Product Details File (PDF)
Model ZT-20404-20L
Cooler Heatsink
Core Clock 550 MHz
Core Processors 96 stream processors
Dimensions Height: 4.374in - 111.11mm, Width: 6.198in - 157.45mm
DirectX DirectX 10.1
Dual-Link DVI Supported Yes
DVI DVI
GPU GT 240 GPU
HDCP Ready Yes
HDMI 1
Interface PCI Express 2.0 (Compatiable with 1.1)
Max Resolution 2560 x 1600
Memory Clock 1580 MHz
Memory Size 1GB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type DDR3
Package Contents • ZOTAC 3D Vision™ Discover glasses
• ZOTAC Boost Software bundle
RAMDAC 400 MHz
SLI Supported Yes
TV-Out 1

Get Support
Warranty Information
Discuss This Product

 

[escher138]

edited original post, I do Not need a special looking case. A regular tower may be sufficient since it wont really been seen anyway. Well, except through a kind of rattan lattice (the cabinet door)

I have a COOLER MASTER HAF 922 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 but I think that is too big to fit in that space. I like the construction and accessibility of items in this case though. Of course, ideally once I get this HTPC built, i wont have to mess with it much anyway.

 

[Niklas_13]

Maybe try this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112222

The problem you are going to have with trying to find a PC case is the 15.5 in depth of your cabinet.

 

[Alvin Smith]

Hell ... I have a studio rack that is over 20" deep and even the shorter cases are gonna hang out the back, by a few inches ....

... Sounds like a job for micro-ATX.

= Al =

 

[Alvin Smith]

You may wish to look up the dimensions of that other silverstone case that Bat-Cat recommended ... You also have at least 2 inches clearance (required) for connectors and adapters and USB plugs, etc. ... and add another inch for cable "bend" ...

You CAN turn the case sideways, tho (mine is ... so I can always get at the back panel).

Batuchka tends to be a pretty good listener and does not assume too much ...

SILVERSTONE SUGO SG02-BF Black ABS / SECC Steel MicroATX

Physical Spec
Dimensions(L x W x H) 15.47" x 10.63" x 8.35"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163112&cm_re=silverstone_sugo-_-11-163-112-_-Product

It certainly should fit sideways and will let you have access to the cables ...

Install a work-light in the cubby.

There are even smaller ATX cases ... Special attention to cooling, as things get tighter, tho.

= Al =

 

[escher138]

totally didnt think about the depth being an issue, or even about room for cables. thanks. Hmm, I might can take off the back panel of the cabinet which would allow me to hang off the back if needed, and provide more ventilation to the area. It isnt a supporting part of the cabinet, just a thin panel.

 

[Alvin Smith]

I did that (cut a big square hole) in the back panel of a $700 free-standing entertainment cabinet, that my ex-wife bought ... I did a pretty crappy job and the panel was lamost like a veneered hard card-board (thinner and more flexible than masonite) ... It was a pressed particle material that did not cut or saw well and the veneer tore as the teeth on the saw were too large ....

It was affixed using a lot of very small screws, about 6 inches apart, around the perimeter.

If you face a similar challenge, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND removing the panel entirely and placing it on a smooth hard flat surface and getting directly over it with a box-cutter and a (REAL) metal straight-edge (like a large Carpenter's "L" square) ... and ... score it very lightly, at first, from the veneer side.

In my case, I tried to do this with the panel attached and the panel was bowing and flexing and the box-cutter kept careening off track, in arcs ... I finally got frustrated and sort-of stabbed and hacked my way around the lines, I had drawn.

The end result was BUTT-UGLY but mitigated by the huge size of the 27" (tru-flat) JVC CRT.

I'm just sayin' ... don't underestimate how cheap and crappy that panel might be ... even if you paid big bucks, for the pleasure.

= Al =

 

[Niklas_13]

totally didnt think about the depth being an issue, or even about room for cables. thanks. Hmm, I might can take off the back panel of the cabinet which would allow me to hang off the back if needed, and provide more ventilation to the area. It isnt a supporting part of the cabinet, just a thin panel.

I had to cut a hole in my cabinet also, to fit my PC in it. WTF does a cabinet maker know about the size of a PC case lol

http://my.imageshack.us/v_images.php

 

[Alvin Smith]

I had to cut a hole in my cabinet also, to fit my PC in it. WTF does a cabinet maker know about the size of a PC case lol

http://my.imageshack.us/v_images.php

That link takes me to a registration screen ... (not gonna happen).

I get your point, tho ... I lived it.

PS ... Sometimes those thin-backed panels DO provide LATERAL support and keep the whole mess from sagging or leaning (squareness) ... Do add corner-brackets or reinforcement panels, to compensate.

= Al =

 

[escher138]

Rearranged cabinet, can now use an old D.Vine 4 case http://www.ahanix.com/products/mce/mce_d4.php

Here are some parts I am now looking at:

AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX $74.99
GIGABYTE GA-785GMT-USB3 AM3 AMD 785G USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $94.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $94.99 - $10.00 combo discount
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $54.99
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply 59.99 - $15.00 rebate - $25 combo discount
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK $98.99
LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader SATA Model iHOS104-08 $64.99
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1850 (updated version of 1800) MCE Kit 1128 PCI-Express x1 Interface $99.99
total ~600

I picked the MB for the USB3 and hdmi, will it work with the ram and CPU?
My case will fit ATX, should I just go for a regular ATX board instead of micro? if so, suggestions?
I have a 1TB drive already I can use for storage, that is why I only have a 500gb there. will be for OS
I thought the modular Power Supply might be nice for overcrowding concerns, is this one alright and will it work with my MB?
I am getting confused over the TV recording cards, I understand this will not record Premium HD channels, will it record regular channels HD provided by Cable company, or is that only via the antenna thing (QAM)?