Need help putting together HTPC!

omz

Gawd
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
805
Hey guys,

So I decided to plunge into the HTPC world and give a shot at building one. These are the parts that I still need:

CPU
Mobo
Case (w/ PSU)

I already have 2gb of DDR2-800 memory and have the choice between a 7800GTX and x1300 as the video card that will be hooked up to the TV via DVI->HDMI cable. My requirements are that everything together will be about $300. However, this can also be increased if needed, but not by a whole lot.

All suggestions are open!
Thanks!
 
Case w/PSU - Antec NSK2480 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034&Tpk=nsk2480
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H(onboard video with HD decoding) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
CPU - AMD Athlon X2 4450e - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103256


Comes out to be about $303 shipped w/o the OS. You could sell the video cards you have now to recoup some costs for Vista

Thanks for the quick reply!
I'm going to be running Windows XP on the HTPC, unless you guys think there should be something else I should do?
Also, if I was able to sell off one of the video cards, what would you guys suggest upgrading? The HTPC is mainly going to be used for playing 720p HD content, so would I need a stronger CPU, or would the onboard decoding take off enough load?

Thanks again!
 
with the motherboard that was suggested it supports 1080p HD playback from the IGP therefore you do not need a strong CPU or a GPU. that motherboard is specifically designed for HTPC 1080p playback.


i would get a 45w CPU x2 to go with it.....
 
with the motherboard that was suggested it supports 1080p HD playback from the IGP therefore you do not need a strong CPU or a GPU. that motherboard is specifically designed for HTPC 1080p playback.


i would get a 45w CPU x2 to go with it.....

Sounds good! I think I'll be going with the 4850e however, I can get it for the same price as the 4450e from a friend:)

Thanks guys!
 
It just occurred to me that nother was said about a hard drive. If you are going to be streaming the media from another computer I would go with a small capacity 2.5" sata drive to hold the OS and apps. I bought a 60gb laptop drive off of ebay for $25 shipped and suspended it in the drive cage. It is a lot less noisy than the 200gb Maxtor I had in there.
 
It just occurred to me that nother was said about a hard drive. If you are going to be streaming the media from another computer I would go with a small capacity 2.5" sata drive to hold the OS and apps. I bought a 60gb laptop drive off of ebay for $25 shipped and suspended it in the drive cage. It is a lot less noisy than the 200gb Maxtor I had in there.

Thanks for reminding me about that!
My plan was to use an IDE drive for the OS/apps (I ahve a spare 160gb drive) and then stream the HD content from an external enclosure. Would USB be too slow or would it suffice? I have an eSata enclosure that I can possibly use, but I'm not sure if there will be that much of a difference. What do you guys think??
 
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