Noob HTPC build

[lgarratt]

Hi everyone, new member here. Just posted in the welcome section, and for a few weeks I've read Bella's guide and been lurking for a while and would like some feedback on my proposed HTPC build please. Currently using an Xbox 360 through WMP11 to play soccer torrents and DVDs - but my brother returns soon and he'll want them back.

It will be hooked up to a newish Sony widescreen CRT through component and will be used for only SD work:

1) Play backup VOB files
2) D/load and play divx soccer highlight torrents
3) Play some H264 iTunes podcasts ie Diggnation
3) Record and playback digital FTA - STB has no problems with reception for all channels

No games or HD but I want it to be future proofed to a degree if/when we buy a HDTV. So I've specced the following, largely from whats available in Perth:

CPU - AMD X2 4400+
Mobo - Gigabyte MA69GM-S2H - has on board TV out
Tuner - DNow Dual Tuner PCI-e
HDD - initially 250GB IDE Barracuda that I already have, will switch to SATA later
PSU - Antec Earthwatts 380W

This works out to about $430 - plus Vista and remote. Now two questions if I may - since I'm not doing any HD work now, and this mobo has the 690 chipset and TV out I figured I won't need a video card. Correct?

If so, this would mean I could spend the $100 odd for the 2400XT that most people recommend on a nicer case now and upgrade the video down the line. I'm looking at 2 Silverstone cases - LC17 (cheap) or LC16M. The latter seems to get a god rap in reviews which is why I'm keen on the extra dosh saved.

Secondly, any recommendations on RAM please? My brother's PC has a hodge-podge of different bargain basement RAM - and its often temperamental. So I'd like to get this right for a good price.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to your comments and in the near future blogging the build

Luke

[jimbojumbo]

CPU - AMD X2 4400+

I'm an AMD fan when it comes to HTPC, I've a 4000+ works a treat.

Mobo - Gigabyte MA69GM-S2H - has on board TV out

Can't see the on-board svideo out, the specs say it has a cable so perhaps it has a riser card of some sort. I had an Asus board with the same integrated graphics, the ati x1250 and had problems playing HD channels. of course, this could have just been me

Tuner - DNow Dual Tuner PCI-e

popular choice.

HDD - initially 250GB IDE Barracuda that I already have, will switch to SATA later

when you replace it get a Samsung, much quieter...

PSU - Antec Earthwatts 380W

I have an Antec nsk2480b which has one supplied. It's great looking case, with good airflow.

This works out to about $430 - plus Vista and remote. Now two questions if I may - since I'm not doing any HD work now, and this mobo has the 690 chipset and TV out I figured I won't need a video card. Correct?

Should work OK.

If so, this would mean I could spend the $100 odd for the 2400XT that most people recommend on a nicer case now and upgrade the video down the line. I'm looking at 2 Silverstone cases - LC17 (cheap) or LC16M. The latter seems to get a god rap in reviews which is why I'm keen on the extra dosh saved.

As above, I love my NSK2480b, others have the same feelings towards Silverstone cases.

Secondly, any recommendations on RAM please? My brother's PC has a hodge-podge of different bargain basement RAM - and its often temperamental. So I'd like to get this right for a good price.

The integrated graphics use the system memory, so the faster the better. Also get 2gb! I'm a fan of kingston memory, has never let me down.

[lgarratt]

Thanks for your reply jimbojumbo!

A few things have changed in the last couple of days.

First, turns out my old man has an old tv tuner hidden away in his house - Connexant Fusion 878A, not a great tuner (in fact it is most likely s**t) but something to play with.

I'm also changing to the AMD BE-2350 as they are low on power and a few reviews rated them OK for overclocking - plus a bit cheaper.

Also I'm following your advice jimbojumbo, I've warmed to the NSK2480 case - so all up the build cost has dropped further but it will still be more than enough for our needs.

[jimbojumbo]

Originally Posted by lgarratt

Thanks for your reply jimbojumbo!

NP

First, turns out my old man has an old tv tuner hidden away in his house - Connexant Fusion 878A, not a great tuner (in fact it is most likely s**t) but something to play with.

Indeed I went through a couple of POS cards before I settled on an avermedia A777 based on advice from here. It helped that i knew how bad other things could be before moving onto a more expensive card.

I'm also changing to the AMD BE-2350 as they are low on power and a few reviews rated them OK for overclocking - plus a bit cheaper.

Where are you sourcing this from I'm building another server and wouldn't mind a lower powered unit. I have five PC's in the house and the power bills are starting to bite

Also I'm following your advice jimbojumbo, I've warmed to the NSK2480 case - so all up the build cost has dropped further but it will still be more than enough for our needs.

Neat, go for the b version, you wont be disappointed.

[pantonious]

The BE cpus from AMD are very good. I have a BE-2300 in my second machine, and it handles blu-ray and HD fine.

For the ram, u definetly want DDR2-800 and AT-LEAST 2 GB. I would personally go for a name brand (ie, kingston, corsair, patroit, ocz) over the cheap OEM crap. and i try to avoid the "value" range of those manufacturors aswell...i'd say something like

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_p...info.php?input[product_code]=AL-TWIN2X2048-6400C4&input[category_id]=1338

or maybe even

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_p...info.php?input[product_code]=AL-T2X4096-64C5&input[category_id]=1338

yes, it is true that with 32-bit windows you cannot use the full 4Gb of RAM, but the onboard video will be using 256MB - 1GB (depending on the mobo/setting) and you will want/need that extra ~1Gb that is still detectable for the Vista OS!

The Aver A777 is a very good card (also called the A17 or something, depending if u get it OEM or Retail) and the Digital Now Tuner is also very good. That Connexant Fusion 878A, thats the chipset of the tuner, do u know the make/model? also, check that there are Vista Drivers for it

[lgarratt]

Thanks for the advice guys.

jimbojumbo - I've been sourcing all this from Foxcomp Technology in Perth, they seem to have a good rap on the Whirlpool shop rating, they sell both BE-2300 and 2350:

http://www.foxcomp.com.au/ProductList.asp?CID=22&s=pas

pantonious - its a pinnacle card with 878a chipset, there aren't any Vista drivers but thats ok, I've been mucking around with Media Portal for the last couple of days under XP and I'm pretty impressed. Will try the TV tuner this weekend, if that works well knowing how s**t it is then I'm sticking with that. Otherwise I'll pick up Vista and a new tuner with the system and bring down some serious wallet pain!

[peedon]

Originally Posted by lgarratt

...
If so, this would mean I could spend the $100 odd for the 2400XT that most people recommend on a nicer case now and upgrade the video down the line. I'm looking at 2 Silverstone cases - LC17 (cheap) or LC16M. The latter seems to get a god rap in reviews which is why I'm keen on the extra dosh saved.

I haven't seen the LC16M, but I have the LC17 and it's not much far off a regular computer case, bottom line I don't really like it and it's going to get consigned out of the living room by a replacement I have on order..

if you have any graphics card I'd recommend you get a silent one - the first thing I replaced was the card after I built my machine - it was very noisy, for the record I now run an Asus 8600 GT Silent..

also, while we're on the subject of being quiet, the fans that come with the LC17 only run on one mode, I think highest voltage, so they're a bit noisy too - I replaced these with quieter units which came with variable voltage leads

[jimbojumbo]

Originally Posted by peedon

I haven't seen the LC16M, but I have the LC17 and it's not much far off a regular computer case, bottom line I don't really like it and it's going to get consigned out of the living room by a replacement I have on order..

I've had a couple of cases that broke the three rules of a HTPC (in this order), an old desktop failed the looks test, an Antec Overture failed the noise AND heat tests. Finally happy with my NSK2480b....

if you have any graphics card I'd recommend you get a silent one - the first thing I replaced was the card after I built my machine - it was very noisy, for the record I now run an Asus 8600 GT Silent..

+1 I've a 7300gt which works a treat...

also, while we're on the subject of being quiet, the fans that come with the LC17 only run on one mode, I think highest voltage, so they're a bit noisy too - I replaced these with quieter units which came with variable voltage leads

I replaced my Antec Tri-cools with a Scythe, totally whisper quite....