HTPC Build Adivce Needed Fast

[Mr S]

Hi Everyone


I need fast advice


HTPC used for playing Video files, HD video, DVDs, Blu Rays.


Not to be overclocked and Not to be played any games on.


My System purchased parts so far;

Processor
Athlon II X4 Quad 630 AM3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Athlon-...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1283274674&sr=1-1

Motherboard
Asus M4A785TD-V 785G
http://www.amazon.co.uk/M4A785TD-V-...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1283274699&sr=1-1

Hard Drive
1TB Samsung F3 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s 32MB
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAMSUNG-Spi...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1283274758&sr=1-2

RAM
2GB Crucial DDR3-1333 CL9 Non ECC


Case
Antec Fusion Max
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-VERIS...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1283274625&sr=1-1

PSU
Antec EarthWatts EA430D Green - power supply - 430 Watt
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002VLYJRG/sr=1


A few questions I have


1) According to 'Recommended Builds by Usage' HTPC (below), it states that I should purchase a XFX HD-5670
http://www.dabs.com/products/xfx-ati-radeon-5670-hd-775mhz-512mb-pci-express-hdmi-6KNH.html

However I wanted to know if the graphics has to be by that specific vendor (XFX) or can it be by anyone, say for example Saphire as I was thinking of buying this.
http://uk.buy.com/PR/Product.aspx?sku=213729934
Would that be just as good?


HTPC: $838.90 (Thanks for the feedback... Psycho Sykes and obsidian86)

* CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 425 2.7GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX425WFGIBOX - Retail
* MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retaill
* RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C7 - Retail
* HSF: Not required
* GPU: XFX HD-567X-YNFC Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ... - Retail ***
* HDD (OS): Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
* HDD (Storage): SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive ***
* PSU: Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ... - Retail
* DVD: LG Black Blu-ray Disc Combo SATA Model UH10LS20 LightScribe Support - OEM
* Case: SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / Steel LC13B-E ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - Retail
* Thermal Compound: Not Required
* Accessories: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC TV Tuner MC-Kit 1183 PCI Interface - Retail

This build will allow you to play music and movies on a 1080 HD TV and light 720P->1080P gaming & DX11 compatabilty...
*** = Option Item: Can be removed to cut cost, if needed, and still maintain an acceptable HTPC performance


2) I would like to put another 2gb of ddr3 (1333) memory. I have already outlined what I have and wanted to make sure this would work on my system;
http://www.dabs.com/products/corsai...-vs-dimm-679N.html?refs=4294951079-4294959239
Would that be compatible with my existing RAM?


3) CPU Cooler question

Im unsure as to what CPU cooler I should buy as I have the stock one alrady. I have a large case (Antec Fusion Max see above) and a full size ATX motherboard. So I should have space to install something good but need it to be really Silent.

Some suggestions are below but can you help me decide? (No overclocking or gaming to be done, want good cooling and Silent)


The top ones Im thinking of buying

I have seen a few HTPC's using this type of cooler
http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/mugen2


http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/ninja3


http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/yasya



Others


http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/ac-freezer7-pro-rev2

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/ninja-mini

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/nh-d14

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/nh-u12p-se2

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/cpucoolers/cnps10x



Your fast adivce is appreciated


Regards

 

[Wolfshadw]

1) Yes, you can purchase any manufacturer's HD5670, though if you are not intending to game on this system, you can do without it.

2) If the specs on the Corsair memory EXACTLY match those of your Crucial memory, it *should* work, but your best bet would be to either find a matching Crucial memory chip or simply replace what you have with new a 2x2GB set.

3) Can't speak to CPU coolers as I've only always used the stock heatsink/fan. My HTPC has an Intel Core2Duo E6600 and stock Intel HSF and I can't hear it at all.

-Wolf sends

Edit: I would also note that for strictly media playback, 2GB of RAM is plenty. There is no need to add more.

 

[coldsleep]

Largely agree with Wolfshadw's points above.

1) If you want full HD audio bitstreaming, the 5670 may be necessary. I believe that the 785G integrated video/sound doesn't do this, which would be a reason to buy the 5670. If that isn't a requirement, agree with above, onboard should be fine.

3) I suggest looking at Frostytech's top "5" heatsinks for recommendations on quiet ones (complete with dB measurements).

 

[rwpritchett]

^agree with el lobo

The onboard HD4200 GPU is good enough for HTPC. The HD5670 is recommended only because it has enough muscle to perform vector adaptive de-interlacing. The only time you would need that is for scenes panning across lines on a heavily interlaced source... like the lines on a football field for example. You probably wouldn't even miss it. If you find yourself unsatisfied with the HD4200, you could always upgrade later. XFX is a popular brand because they have a double lifetime warranty.

CPU coolers-> I use the mini ninja. Nice for tight places because it is low profile, but the 80mm fan is too loud and not PWM. I had to replace mine with a better fan and all is good now. Research any cooler you choose on www.frostytech.com. They maintain a current list of the top 5 coolers for silence and performance for both Intel and AMD.

Edit- sniped by coldsleep /shakes fist

 

[Mr S]

Hi thanks for your replies!


I think I probably will go and purchase the HD5670.


I have also had a look on Frostytechs site, and still unsure which heatsink to buy! Tried having a look at videos on you tube but you cant always hear the fan.


Would appreciate some further help please anyone, either from your own experience with coolers or recommendations from friends.


Regards

 

[coldsleep]

The easy answer is to just go to the AMD Low Noise list (which starts with the Scythe Orochi SCORC-1000) and work your way down from there. The Orochi and the Zipang appear to be out of stock on newegg right now, they (or some of the others) may be available elsewhere.

 

[Mr S]

ok thanks everyone, ill work my way down the list on frostytech.


Can anyone tell me what the difference is between these 2 cards - they appear identical to me apart from the slight variance
in model number and price, can anyone confirm?


http://uk.buy.com/SR/SearchResults.aspx?pid=Search%20Buy.com&qu=%205670%20HD&sort=3


greatly appreciated


Regards

 

[Wolfshadw]

11168-01-20R has a DisplayPort output.
11168-02-20R has a D-Sub/VGA output.

Other than that, I don't note any differences.

-Wolf sends

 

[Mr S]

11168-01-20R has a DisplayPort output.
11168-02-20R has a D-Sub/VGA output.

Other than that, I don't note any differences.

-Wolf sends

Hi


Many thanks for that


Regards