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Parabellum
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2001
- Messages
- 1,895
Okay, we had a thunder storm 2 weeks ago and power went off. My computer is always idling but unfortunately, it never went back after the shut off. My motherboard is dead.. 
Well, I no longer game anymore (or rarely) so I decided to salvage most of the parts of my gaming rig and turn it into a HTPC. Here is what it looks like so far :
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 ES
Mobo: Asus P5Q Pro (new addition)
Memory: 2gb Corsair XMS 6400 Pro
Storage1: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80gb (for system)
Storage2: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1tb (new addition, for storage)
Tuner: ATI TV Wonder 650
Case: Ahanix D.Vine 4 black
PSU: Vantec 430W
Drive: Pionner DVD 216 writer SATA
Sound: not decided yet...
Video card: not decided yet...
I would like to have your opinion regarding the new radeon HD 4000 series as far as fan noise goes.. Are they too loud for HTPC? They are somewhat inexpensive considering the performance they do give. I will sell my X1900XT anyway so I will recoup some cash.
And for sound, I do have a X-Fi XtremeMusic but I am not sure if it is a good addition to an HTPC. I am lurking the Auzentech line for now.
My HTPC will be in the living room and I sit 10 ft away from the TV.
To give you an idea of my needs, here is my A/V setup :
TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK 50" Plasma
cablebox: SA 8300HD
Pre/pro: Rotel RSP-1068
Amp: Rotel RB-1050
CD: Rotel RCD-1072
Speakers: B&W 705
My processor does not have HDMI in so I have to use either optical or coax for digital out. And for HTPC purpose, I will use the DVI output since I have purchased the DVI blade for my TV. I want good sound since I have a relatively good audio setup so I guess the best Auzentech should do the trick. Right now, I only use 2.0 speaker setup since I do not have a dedicated room.
My HTPC will be mostly for web surfing, a little gaming, DVD watching and music listening. I am about to start to rip my modest DVD collection (40 or so) and all my CD. Sadly, we do not have much OTA channels where I live (Canada) so I am stuck with my cable box and since there is not many options to pass the signal thru the HTPC, that sucks..
I already have a logitech Harmony 880 to control everything so i guess I'm fine with this. But i would like to have a cordless keyboard/mouse combo and I haven't seen many choices. Since this will sit on the table in the living room, I would like to have something slick and classy. Backlit would be a nice touch. Do you have some suggestions?
I would like to have your comments on the whole thing. Good things or bad things. Things to improve and such. I would have liked to have a HDMI receiver but Rotel only offers HDMI 1.1. I don't know how better 1.3 is over 1.1 but I've "heard" that previous HDMI standards suffered from lip sinc...
Thanks for your help,
Para
Well, I no longer game anymore (or rarely) so I decided to salvage most of the parts of my gaming rig and turn it into a HTPC. Here is what it looks like so far :
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 ES
Mobo: Asus P5Q Pro (new addition)
Memory: 2gb Corsair XMS 6400 Pro
Storage1: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80gb (for system)
Storage2: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1tb (new addition, for storage)
Tuner: ATI TV Wonder 650
Case: Ahanix D.Vine 4 black
PSU: Vantec 430W
Drive: Pionner DVD 216 writer SATA
Sound: not decided yet...
Video card: not decided yet...
I would like to have your opinion regarding the new radeon HD 4000 series as far as fan noise goes.. Are they too loud for HTPC? They are somewhat inexpensive considering the performance they do give. I will sell my X1900XT anyway so I will recoup some cash.
And for sound, I do have a X-Fi XtremeMusic but I am not sure if it is a good addition to an HTPC. I am lurking the Auzentech line for now.
My HTPC will be in the living room and I sit 10 ft away from the TV.
To give you an idea of my needs, here is my A/V setup :
TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK 50" Plasma
cablebox: SA 8300HD
Pre/pro: Rotel RSP-1068
Amp: Rotel RB-1050
CD: Rotel RCD-1072
Speakers: B&W 705
My processor does not have HDMI in so I have to use either optical or coax for digital out. And for HTPC purpose, I will use the DVI output since I have purchased the DVI blade for my TV. I want good sound since I have a relatively good audio setup so I guess the best Auzentech should do the trick. Right now, I only use 2.0 speaker setup since I do not have a dedicated room.
My HTPC will be mostly for web surfing, a little gaming, DVD watching and music listening. I am about to start to rip my modest DVD collection (40 or so) and all my CD. Sadly, we do not have much OTA channels where I live (Canada) so I am stuck with my cable box and since there is not many options to pass the signal thru the HTPC, that sucks..
I already have a logitech Harmony 880 to control everything so i guess I'm fine with this. But i would like to have a cordless keyboard/mouse combo and I haven't seen many choices. Since this will sit on the table in the living room, I would like to have something slick and classy. Backlit would be a nice touch. Do you have some suggestions?
I would like to have your comments on the whole thing. Good things or bad things. Things to improve and such. I would have liked to have a HDMI receiver but Rotel only offers HDMI 1.1. I don't know how better 1.3 is over 1.1 but I've "heard" that previous HDMI standards suffered from lip sinc...
Thanks for your help,
Para