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First time HTPC builder - advice

Comments

  • #2
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    Why not go for the HTPC version of that case. The antec fusion 430. Looks a bit better, more home entertainmenty! Up to you I suppose...

    It's been a long time since I put together an intel system. I've build many htpc's using AMD chips, and this will handle HD fine http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=323807 . Mobo wise i use this http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=335583 . Great board with built in HDMI and pretty good onboard sound also. Optical connections to connect to an amp etc.

    Are you going to be streaming videos over a wireless network? Might be worth your while laying some cable as they can get fairly jumpy if the signal is low or there is other people using the network.

    Also, for the price of RAM these days i'd recommend 4 gig. Not vital or absolutely necessary, just might keep things running a bit more smoothly!


  • #3
    dingdong1234567
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 828 ✭✭✭dingdong1234567


    I wasn't sure if the AMD chips would handle vista (a bit new to all this!). But i'm all for saving a few bob on intel chips if i get a decent performance from an alternative!

    That MOBO looks good alright, does what it says on the tin!

    Yeah i was thinking of streaming stuff around the house but its not a priority ATM. May just use it for surfing the net instead.


  • #4
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    Oh you'd be mistaking if you think AMD chips are inferior to intel! :)

    Streaming pictures and music are easy. Videos are a little bit trickier. Especially HD. SD can be fine if you get good signal. HD is really not an option over wireless, might work on 802.11n but not a hope on "g".


  • #5
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    CPU is fine. I've had vista MCE running with a 3.0Ghz P4 and 1GB RAM without issues, a decent, modern HD makes all the difference.

    Often overlooked features of your HTPC are transcoding (encoding/converting on the fly for your xbox360, another computer via wireless or streaming across the internet removing ads etc. These are the most CPU intensive operations it is likely to do For this you will want the fastest CPU you can put in there. HD playback is CPU intensive, sure but transcoding HD while watching another HD movie will bring a lot of machines to their knees.

    AMD have dropped the ball IMO. There's nothing wrong with them per-se, but if you are looking for the most bang-per-euro, an Overclocked Core2 is the way to go. Dont get me wrong, the AMD is sufficient, but again the Intel core2 series have the edge both in terms of their overclockability and their computational strengths which give them an advantage over AMD.....for now!

    The Intel e2140 is a fantastic overclocker and even for a complete novice they are safe to overclock IMO. Any of the guys on the tweaking/modding forum would be glad to help.

    2GB RAM is sufficient, save the money you may spend on 4GB and get another 4GB for the same price when you actually need it.

    Hard Disk wise, pony up the extra cash and go for either the Seagate 11 or Western Digital SE16 series. Both of these are EXCELLENT peformers and offer good acoustics and thermals. HD peformance is another often overlooked area. However the RPM and Banwidth of the bus (ie 150 vs 300MB/s) are almost meaningless. Storagereview.com is a good resource for in-depth, real-world tests. The Samsung one linked is good, but its also their first perpendicular recording effort. No a huge deal, their QC is typically good but again, I'd pony up the extra dosh and get somthing faster.

    DVD writer wise, have a look on cdfreaks.com. It is what it says, optical storage media nuts who go into incredible detail. Let them to the hard work and just buy what reccomended!

    Wireless pulling media off the NAS, if you have to do it fine, otherwise id avoid it like the plague. Wireless bandwidth works very differently to wired. 55Mb/s usually works out to be about 15% of that for a variety of reasons I wont bore you with. Hook a LAN cable up, or buy an Ethernet over power device.

    That said, if you are just watching Divx and looking at pictures, most of this is a waste TBH. Buy an old 2.0Ghz Dell Optiplex for 150e and call it good.

    It all depends on where you see your media and home network going in the future.


  • #6
    dingdong1234567
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 828 ✭✭✭dingdong1234567


    Thanks for the advise SouperComputer.

    I will review the processor i've mentioned above as i only want something that can do a good job and be value for money and not with all the bells and whistles....processor wise. Overclocking would not really interest me ATM, but its good to get heads up on the topic al the same.

    About the NAS, i have read on other posts alright that streaming can be jumpy and unreliable....this has been proven with my laptop>wireless router>NAS config. So i will just use the wireless function for accessing the internet and minor file transfers etc.

    As i mentioned above in the op, i have a sky+ box already. But i may in the future want to just connect a standard sky box(have one also), to the HTPC. For this what would be the best setup config? Basic details is all i need as i don't require this straight away.

    As you also mentioned SouperComputer at the end of your post, i see my home network going wired throughout the house, also multiroom(eventually). I intend to rip home DVD's and have on the HTPC.....this will save space and may sell on what i don't need as i have 500+ DVD's. I will want to be furure proof for HDTV as well, hence the MOBO with HDMI connections etc. Cheers


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  • #7
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    I will review the processor i've mentioned above as i only want something that can do a good job and be value for money and not with all the bells and whistles....processor wise. Overclocking would not really interest me ATM, but its good to get heads up on the topic al the same.

    Its a good CPU so no worries there.
    About the NAS, i have read on other posts alright that streaming can be jumpy and unreliable....this has been proven with my laptop>wireless router>NAS config. So i will just use the wireless function for accessing the internet and minor file transfers etc.

    Just to clarify, the issue lies with the wireless rather than the NAS perse.
    As i mentioned above in the op, i have a sky+ box already. But i may in the future want to just connect a standard sky box(have one also), to the HTPC. For this what would be the best setup config? Basic details is all i need as i don't require this straight away.

    PVR150 capture card is about all you'll need. There's a HD card on the way from hauppage too thou, so keep and eye out for that.


  • #8
    dingdong1234567
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 828 ✭✭✭dingdong1234567


    Was thinking of going with this MOBO as well:

    http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=20386&agid=667

    It has HDMI/DVI built in, looks good to me.....unless i'm overlooking something?


  • #9
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    looks fine!


  • #10
    sink
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    The best mobo for any HTPC at the mo is the AMD 780g. It has an integrated radeon HD 3200, which can handle seamless blu-ray playback and vista aero so you don't need to add a discrete graphics card. Couple with one of the new BE processors and you have an extremly low power consuming system which you can leave on all the time.

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=346010

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=348530

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=340102


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