HTPC Build

T

tdktank59

Gawd
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
590
Hey guys I was looking at building a HTPC a while ago and then lost my job, anyways im back now and have some funds :)

Anyways heres what ive got on the list

Mobo/CPU/GPU: - Ion, Atom 330, Nvidia 9400
ASUS AT3N7A-I - ~$70 (I have this already)

HD:
Seagate 500GB 7200 - Free (I have this as well)

Ram:
G-Skill 2x2GB DDR2 800Mhz - Free (I have this from another build was ~50 back then)

Optical:
LITE-ON iHOS104-08 ~$65 + shipping

Case:
Heres where I need some help, I have no clue whats good in the case market. Im looking for a case that is pretty sleek and would look good with other goodies below the TV, Im also looking for something that I could use later down the road so build quality is key here. Not that im expecting to upgrade much, but having a sturdy case is always a must for me.
Heres a few I've been looking at:
Antec Black M FusionRemote 350 ~$100 + shipping
LIAN LI PC-C37B ~ $140 + shipping

Have any other recommendations for good build quality and such. I know cases are personal preference but I am pretty open to most things so its more a question of build quality.

As for the PSU it depends on if the case comes with one or not, in either case tho I will probably end up getting a modular PSU so I can cleanup some cables for increased air flow.

BTW to follow suit with the rules price range is ~$200-300 for my remaining parts.
I dont need an OS since I will be using linux.
 
I have Lian Li PC-C37B. The all black finish makes it match my other equipment and I think it looks better than the Antec case. I got it for $130+shipping from coolerguys.com. It's a really nice case, aluminum throughout and build quality is top notch like typical Lian Li cases. Yes, I highly recommend this case even without looking at the other one.

You can save a few bux by skipping the BD drive or going with a DVD drive ($20). Since you're already familiar with linux you should be able to rip movies to disk and stream them to your HTPC setup.
 
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Well I dont ahve a blu-ray anywhere else in the house and ive been watching movie prices and they have been poping up on sale for 10-15 bucks so i have decided to take the plunge.

Also I will be controlling this thing with a wiimote (also a keyboard but thats basiclaly for web and OS install lol)
 
Wait, is there any software that can blu-ray discs in Linux?
 
akirarat said:
I have Lian Li PC-C37B. The all black finish makes it match my other equipment and I think it looks better than the Antec case. I got it for $130+shipping from coolerguys.com. It's a really nice case, aluminum throughout and build quality is top notch like typical Lian Li cases. Yes, I highly recommend this case even without looking at the other one.

You can save a few bux by skipping the BD drive or going with a DVD drive ($20). Since you're already familiar with linux you should be able to rip movies to disk and stream them to your HTPC setup.
Click to expand...

How loud are those 70 MM fans, and would it be feasable to do some case mods to get some 80 MM fans in there that are quieter?
 
Personally, I would avoid Lite-On. I had bad experiences with them when they released a Blu-Ray drive THAT WOULDN'T PLAY MANY BLU-RAY DISCS (the newer format). And they did not update firmware or do recalls to address this issue.

When it says Blu-Ray drive, it should play ALL Blu-Ray discs. Not some.

You can find many people complain about the model I got.

I have AnyDVD HD, so it is not software or anything like that. The model I had was DH401S.

The drive you're getting might be ok, but just beware that Lite-On has screwed up big time before. That's probably why their drives are so cheap. My drives have been Asus and LG since then.
 
The Lian-Li definitely looks like it belongs with the home theater gear. Personally, I like the all black Antec Fusion cases better than the silver ones. My only reservation about either case would be the slim form factor, since it would limit expansion card possibilities.

Do you plan on adding a tuner to the system?
 
Alai said:
Personally, I would avoid Lite-On. I had bad experiences with them when they released a Blu-Ray drive THAT WOULDN'T PLAY MANY BLU-RAY DISCS (the newer format). And they did not update firmware or do recalls to address this issue.

The drive you're getting might be ok, but just beware that Lite-On has screwed up big time before. That's probably why their drives are so cheap. My drives have been Asus and LG since then.
Click to expand...

I will take the under advisement, However just to note I did find this one from an article that recommended parts of HTPC builds. So I will do a bit more research and figure out if this is a decent one.

enginurd said:
The Lian-Li definitely looks like it belongs with the home theater gear. Personally, I like the all black Antec Fusion cases better than the silver ones. My only reservation about either case would be the slim form factor, since it would limit expansion card possibilities.

Do you plan on adding a tuner to the system?
Click to expand...

Well the current motherboard is a ITX mobo, and it only has a pci slot. If I do get one it will be that new 4 card turner that just came out but thats ~$400
So I will have to decided what my priorities are, with this current build I will not be throwing in an expansion card, however later down the road I might pick a micro atx or decide to rebuild it as a gaming/mutimedia computer Not really sure yet, so at the moment im planning with the motherboard I have now and slim and sleek is more of what im looking for.

Also found this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108196
 
Yeah wouldn't go with the Inwin due to the shitty PSU.
 
ight price point was really nice, case looked decent but I like good PSUs...

So thanks for letting me know :)

ill look at some bigger ones maybe I can find one that takes an atx board so down the road I can upgrade it to be a beefy computer
 
You could always replace the PSU if you like the case that much. ;)

For ITX, I'd go with the Antec ISK 300-150, but it requires a slim optical drive as well as a laptop size HDD. I currently have the Apex MI-100; got it used, and have since replaced the PSU with an FSP 250W 80+ certified. I'm thinking about getting the Silverstone SG05B instead -- or gut my NES (if I can find it) and stuff my ITX parts in there. :p
 
Nah the case was decent but if im replacing a powersupply ill get a nice modular one...

ill start looking into bigger cases lol... or get that lian li one for 130 bucks
 
hmm...

that one is tempting, didnt see it before because I thought it was all silver.
Most of my HT gear is black, so I was going to keep it that way, however my xbox is white so...

I take it the PSU in that thing is decent? in which case ill end up saving some money on the psu since id be forking over the cash to get a nice modular one... And also would stop me from getting a new xbox (since I wanted it to match the rest of the gear...)

price is not bad ~120 + tax...

antec has pretty good quality from my experience and what ive heard, PSUs I have no clue about... It does have the feet which should help with airflow for the PSU (figuring it has a vent on the bottom?)

Then again could get some nice black paint and paint the front cover to match...

Thanks Danny dont get me wrong when I say this because I do appreciate it but now ill dwell over this for a few more days lol...
 
The included PSU with the Antec NSK2480 is of pretty decent quality. Not modular but modified IIRC to fit that case rather well.
 
tdktank59 said:
Just found this case, anyone have any opinions?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119195
Click to expand...

I've built that case, it's a super cheap looking and feeling case. I'd avoid it.

I also have the Antec Microfusion 350. It's a bit of a bitch to build, but it looks really nice in the entertainment center. I have the fans set at medium (they come with three way switches) and can hear them when I'm loading discs, but not when I'm sitting on the couch (about 8 ft away). It keeps my AMD 240 at about 33C with stock cooler during play back.
 
I have had the Antec Black FusionRemote since last year, and I can tell you I am very happy with it.

I have since added a GTS 250 so we can play some games on it, and it is great.

If you are interested, here is the build log with lots of pictures of the inside and outside.

Good luck with your build. HTPCs are just awesome.
 
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