Ads

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Systems > Homebuilt > Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components

Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components

Forum Systems : Homebuilt Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components

I have an existing HTPC I am planning on upgrading with new MOBO, RAM, Processor, and Tuner Card

Existing is a Dell Vostro 200 dual core 1.8GHz, with a Sapphire Radeon HD 4550 Video Card, and Hauppauge 2250 tuner card. - running windows XP with SageTV 7 for HTPC software, and the monitor is my Sony Bravia TV (over HDMI). Twin harddrives, small system drive with a 1TB drive for video. The system has been put in a proper HTPC case (threw the dell one away)

I am moving where over the air is not really available, so am thinking of upgrading to the Ceton InfiniTV4 tuner card with a CableCARD to pick up cable. The catch is it looks like the CableCARD will not work well with the rest of my existing system, mandating a rebuild to do it..

It looks like I have a budget in the $6-700 range, the card itsself is great, the hard drives and DVD-RW is fine. I already have a dedicated Blu-Ray player I'm happy with, so I don't need that.

Motherboard Requirements:
Native HDMI with HDCP compliance on motherboard. Needs to be able to run 1080p resolution (1920x1080 at 60Hz)
Digital audio output (toslink)
Minimum of 2.8Ghz processor, dual or quad core, amd or intel doesn't matter
STABLE and Quiet running
Micro ATX form factor
It also looks like I need to upgrade to Win7
Cheaper is better, but I want a good performing system.

Thanks!

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to excalibur5

something like this ?

Reply to obsidian86

Close. The main problem I see is I want to use TOSLINK (fiber-optic) audio out to my home theater amp. The motherboard would need a pretty decent built in video card and built-in sound card.

The other real concern is I want the CPU to run with a quiet fan. I don't want to be able to hear the fan at all when sitting 5' away from the cpu, even under load.

I did like the energy-saving features on that board, though. Being a HTPC it idles about 50-60% of the time anyway (when it's not recording or playing back) and will be running 24/7 for years.

Reply to excalibur5

The A8-3850 uses an APU which is better than any onboard graphics out there. The 6550D is probably the equivalent of a 5670. Which is pretty good. Plus as a CPU it is a great one.

Reply to aznshinobi

Also here is a review.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2975.html

Reply to aznshinobi

The A8-3850 does look like an interesting CPU. Anyone know of a good motherboard to run it with?

I found this, but know nothing of the board. On paper, it looks like it meets my requirements, but is it actually any good?

http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA- [...] B005AY5QHI

Reply to excalibur5

That's the same combo I list in mah guide for the $400 build
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
The 3850 is a solid chip no doubt about it, specially for HTPCs it'll save since you don't need a dedicated card + CPU.

Reply to aznshinobi

^All good advice so far.

excalibur5 wrote :

I am moving where over the air is not really available, so am thinking of upgrading to the Ceton InfiniTV4 tuner card with a CableCARD to pick up cable. The catch is it looks like the CableCARD will not work well with the rest of my existing system, mandating a rebuild to do it.

Just curious, why won't the Ceton card work with your current setup?

------------------------------

http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/2145063.png

Reply to rwpritchett

Just going off of the MFG website at http://www.cetoncorp.com/products.php (click on the "requirements" tab), it looks like my system is deficient in the following ways:

Processor: Mine is 1.8 GHz; it says 2.0 GHz min, with 2.9 Recommended
Memory: Mine is 2 Gigs, it says 3 gigs min, with 4 recommended
O/S: Mine is WinXP Pro, it apparrently will only run on Windows 7.

I THINK it requires the heavier processor and memory due to the massive data it can acquire (capture 4 Hi-Def channels at the same time)

Reply to excalibur5

Is it possible for you to find out the 1.8ghz dual core for us? It could be a solid chip for all we know.

Reply to aznshinobi

I always take minimum requirements with a grain of salt. The manufacturer has to cover their arses, so they tend to over do it.

The processor speed could be based on Pentium 4 equivalent numbers. But, a 1.6GHz C2D is faster than a 3.6GHz P4.

TV recording isn't all that resource heavy. I'm with shinobi... tell us what 1.8GHz CPU you have and we'll see how good it is. If it's a recent chip, I say try the Ceton in your existing setup.

------------------------------

Reply to rwpritchett

^+1

Requirements are a bunch of baloney. You could clock any chip below 2GHZ (By underclocking which people do to lower the TDP)

Reply to aznshinobi

Ask the community Add a reply

Related content

See all topics related to "Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components"

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Systems > Homebuilt > Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 1971 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 1.201 seconds

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel

Ads

Latest best answer

What level would you consider this?

By austinwillie_95, 2 hours ago:

It won't handle high end games that's for sure. And for $800 you would be better off just...

Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components

Forum Systems : Homebuilt Re-Build HTPC: Need Recommendations for Components

Homebuilt

New Build

Prebuilt

CyberPower

Please mind