how much power?

A

asty

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 6, 2006
Messages
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I'm trying to build a HTPC right now to compliment the 37inch lcd i just bought. basically the main purpose for it will be to play high def videos (wmv's, avi's, mkv's), although in the future we might want to use it as a hd dvr as well. i am planning on using WMC for everything

how powerful does this system need to be to run smoothly? I'm trying to build this thing on a budget because I already have a very nice gaming computer and really don't need the extra power. i have 2 x1800's crossfired in my gaming computer and I really dont game anymore so i was thinking about taking one out for the new system.
 
Just built my HTPC:
AMD 5000+ BE
2gb ram(mushkin)
Asus 8600GT silent HDCP
Asus M2A-VM motherboard

I have my 5000+ running at 2.8ghz(14x multi) on stock voltages.

Haven't had a single problem with any HD playback. As a matter of fact I've had almost 100% uptime since I built it, minus installation restarts and overclocking restarts.

I built this computer to watch movies and for my friends to play COD4 on when they come over. It runs COD4 at 1920x1080 with low to medium settings, no AA/AF, which is actually faster than their computers running it.

I game on an E6600+8800gtx
 
For a dedicated HTPC, 2GB RAM is probably overkill, but RAM is so cheap right now you might as well. Typically, you need either a beefy CPU or a video card that has hardware acceleration, but not both. But beefy dual-core CPUs and video cards are also fairly inexpensive, so again, you might as well get both. I think the 1800's have the right HW acceleration, but I don't know how loud they are--for a HTPC application, the 1800 might be a bit loud.
 
I disagree about the 2gb of ram. Running Vista 32bit with a 5000+ and 8600gt feels a bit sluggish compared to my E6600 with 4gb ram.

Personally with how cheap everything was the 2gb was an amazing purchase, again because you never JUST watch movies with it, unless thats exactly what its for.
 
For memory:
XP - 1 gigs
Vista - 2 gigs

Thats the minimum for an HTPC.
 
ok, i put this thing together in my newegg cart....here is what it looks like right now

silverstone black lascala 10 cs-sst-lc10B case (i know i said im on a budget and this is probably a waste given that but its just so nice)
amd athlon 64 x2 5400+
msi k9n neo-f am2 nvidia nforce 560
500gb hdd (i will also be adding the 2 500gb drives from my desktop)
2 gb A-DATA value series ram (ddr2 800)
lite on 20x dvdr
cheap sunbeam 450w psu
cheap pci wireless adapter
for the video card im going to go ahead and use the x1800. i appreciate the post about it being a bit loud but we had my gaming computer plugged into the tv this weekend and it was very pleasant. could not notice it over the speakers, plus this is just the best way to save money and use parts that are really going to waste in my gaming comp

i will probably run vista 32 on it

will this be sluggish? all that will ever be running on this system is a web browser, a news reader and WMC. im going to do my best to keep my roommates from doing anything else with it.
 
Youll be fine, you didnt need any advice.

But I would still do the 5000+BE, its cheaper and it will overclock probably as high as the 5400+ or higher.

I hate value ram

1.5tb of storage is nothing when it comes to HD content
 
the only reason i picked up the 5400+ as opposed to the 5000+BE is because the 5400+ at OEM is the same price as a retail 5000+BE on newegg. just figured extra speed w/o overclocking for no extra cost...what is the benefit of buying retail vs OEM?
 
asty said:
the only reason i picked up the 5400+ as opposed to the 5000+BE is because the 5400+ at OEM is the same price as a retail 5000+BE on newegg. just figured extra speed w/o overclocking for no extra cost...what is the benefit of buying retail vs OEM?
Click to expand...
OEM is just the bare chip. Retail comes with the stock HSF.
 
While your at it..save yourself the headache and get a decent Power Supply...I cringe when people refer to some parts as "cheap", especially power supply. I don't know about you..but my HTPC runs 24/7.
 
Mohonri said:
OEM is just the bare chip. Retail comes with the stock HSF.
Click to expand...

Generally true, but in this case, neither the OEM 5400+ or the retail BE - 5000+ come with a HSF. Either way, the OP will need an aftermarket HSF.
 
My $0.02

DDR2 memory is cheap. Spend the extra $20 and get 2x2gb sticks (4gb). Not a necessity though. Will also come in handy if you (or friends/family) ever decide to play games on it.

cheap power supply...? ugh. It will likely die anywhere from 6 months to 4-5 years (speaking from 10+ years experience building systems). It will also be inefficient - producing a lot of heat, costing you extra on the electricity bill, plus will be louder because the fan runs faster especially if it's a 80mm. You'd be lucky to get 350w out of that cheap "450w". Get yourself a descent quality PS and maintain your sanity. The Corsair VX or HX series are very good IMO. Grab a 450-550w and you should never have to replace it. You will be glad you did, and it's a component you can move on to other computers in the future. The cost savings on electricity alone will pay for the extra $20-$30 over a year or two anyhow.

You might consider leaving your 500gb drives in your desktop and networking it to your HTPC. An option would be to use an old 40gb or so hard drive for the boot partition and access all the movies on the desktop. Depending on the drive though it may be too loud for you in a HTPC. I tried one of my old 40gb drives and it was too loud when reading/writing so I had to use a newer 80gb instead.

1.5TB drive space should last you a while, but be prepared to add more. Get as big a single drives as you can afford, because the smaller you get generally the quicker they fill up. :D
 
asty said:
ok, i put this thing together in my newegg cart....here is what it looks like right now

silverstone black lascala 10 cs-sst-lc10B case (i know i said im on a budget and this is probably a waste given that but its just so nice)
amd athlon 64 x2 5400+
msi k9n neo-f am2 nvidia nforce 560
500gb hdd (i will also be adding the 2 500gb drives from my desktop)
2 gb A-DATA value series ram (ddr2 800)
lite on 20x dvdr
cheap sunbeam 450w psu
cheap pci wireless adapter
for the video card im going to go ahead and use the x1800.
Click to expand...

What I would change to make it better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078

Even Intel's lowend CPUs still run rings around AMD's higher clocked models; you get a much better price/performance ratio with Intel now.

Also, theres little reason to go with an ATX setup with an HTPC unless you're running several TV tuners (like, more then three). Even then, at that point it would probably make more sense to build a server and let it record/hold all of your content.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034
Best budget case around with a rock solid PSU. Like everyone else has said, the PSU you picked out is nothing more then a pile of crap and this is something that needs you to invest a little in a solid PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185046
Very easy to run it passively in the NSK2480.

Depending on how you're connecting to your TV (and what TV you have) you might run into some issues with the X1800 and ATI's drivers but it sounds like you've already plugged it into the TV and everything was fine. As for fan noise, you have to remember that the TV (and sound system) aren't going to be all the time while your HTPC might be so the fan noise really does become an issue after you have the system up and running for a while. It is an issue.
 
ShagnWagn said:
I almost was ROFL when I read your comment, then saw the first user reponse on Newegg's site about that case. "Cons: PSU died after 15 mos."
Click to expand...

lol Didn't notice it but I also don't bother reading Newegg "reviews" based on the understanding that people are idiots. Most likely he was the one that killed it somehow.

Anyways, I ran one with a slightly OCed X2 3800+ (2.4Ghz) and a 7900GS for a year and the PSU was rock solid for me; mind you, this was with the older PSU design. They include a newer/better designed PSU with the 2480 then the one I got in my 2400.

Also, theres a lot of people around here with either a 2400 or a 2480 that are running the bundled PSU who haven't had issue with it either.

So yeah, the OP should be just fine with it too.

EDIT
Actually, the guy says he bought the Overture which does make him an idiot since it was one of the worst HTPC oriented cases ever pushed out the door. The Overture is known to have terrible heat issues and a terrible PSU.
 
Nice looking case, and good call on the micro ATX but I am gonna stick with the silverstone case because it offers more expansion slots for HDD's. I will buy a nicer PSU though.

I appreciate all of the input!
 
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