HTPC Questions/Help Needed

S

Sparked

n00b
Joined
Jan 25, 2010
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13
Hey guys,

So im building a budget HTPC ($500-750) to handle the usual, recording tv, web browsing, netflix, media storage. I am also going to be using it for a emulator My PS2 died on me a few weeks back (yes im old skool still) , and i started using my gaming pc for emulation, i would really like to change it over so all my "entertainment" comes from one place with the exception of my hardcore pc gaming.

I have found using a dual core works the best with ps2 emulation, but i am trying to compromise speed and price.

I am looking to have a total 2-4 TB storage but can start with only 1-1,5, and plan to record Cable TV (Cable one) *I have heard cable can be an issue to record from so i am looking at going to Sat tv if i have to, its that important*

So ill need, Case, PS, MoBo, Ram, HDD (1-3 pref ) CPU, Blu Ray reader/ Dvd burner, Tuner card, GFX card (onboard wont cut it but doesnt need to be Uber) would also need WiFi card of some kind to connect to my wireless network mouse/remote keyboard would also be nice but i can get that after i build too, all this will be connected to my HD tv. Case size isnt a huge issue but i would pref a mini tower/ htpc case for that classic entertainment look. Win 7 64 will run it and i have that

I built my gaming rig with a friends help, ok he did most of the work/planning. And you guys helped me finalize it as well last year, it was my dream system and you did so well i was hoping you could help out again this time to complete my total pc paradise :cool:
 
Hmm, generally it's not exactly advisable to keep that much storage in a HTPC since it adds additional heat, power usage, as well higher costs for a larger case and PSU.

Also, besides PS2 games, will you be doing any PC gaming? To record Satellite TV or Cable TV, you're gonna have to buy a $210 cable card tuner:
$210 - ATI TV Wonder Cable Card

So that leaves you about $540 for the HTPC.
 
... and you'll need to make sure your tv provider can supply you with a cable card, hehe.

for kb/mouse, definitely go with bluetooth.

you answered most of the questions, but doing so in the format of the sticky makes it easier to find answers to questions we have, so it would be much appreciated. ;)
 
nMedia 5000B
ASUS M3N78-VM
AMD Athlon II 240
Wintec 2 x 1GB DDR2
Antec Earthwatts 380
LG DVD Burner

Total w/ shipping (midwest) = $332

I won't recommend a tuner card because I have no experience with them, I only use my htpc for streaming media from my desktop and off the internet.

This build gets you an inexpensive setup that is capable of HD video playback and 7.1 LCPM audio over one hdmi cable (nice!). It should handle any files you throw at it. The budget leaves you some play for customizing. I didn't include a hard drive for reasons below. You could upgrade this build with a nicer case or even go for a blu-ray drive. Or, I would recommend using some leftover dough on a nice logitech remote or mouse/keyboard combo. If you NEED a video card to play games (note: this onboard really will handle HD content fine), then you should go with a 5xxx ATI card, as it will bitstream audio and push video over one hdmi cable as well. If you do go that route, you will probably want a bigger power supply.

I didn't include a hard drive because you hinted that you want all your media in this, and I'm here to convince you that's not a good idea. You should put all of your drives in your desktop case, where there are more fans to keep them cool. On top of that, cramming drives into a htpc case is a pain in the ass and heats up a box that is already prone to lots of heat. Heat is the bane of the htpc. Heat spins the fans, the fans ruin the movie, the experience is done. Put the drives in the desktop, share the folders, map them on htpc, stream them across. If you HAVE to have the HDD's in the case, this case will take 4, which is a good amount.

Let us know what you think, and which route of upgrading you are most interested in, and we can hone in on the rest of the parts.
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mainly using it for DVR/ web browsing, watching movies and ps2 emulation
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
500-750
3) Where do you live?
ND
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, Mobo, Case, ram, HD, dvd burner/blu ray player. tuner card. graphics card Power supply
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
none
6) Will you be overclocking?
no
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
will be hooked to my 37in LCD (yea im not rich :( )
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
2-3 weeks tops
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID
room for both gfx card and tuner card (unless ati card works for both) and or enough sata for drive + a HD or two, 5ch or better audio would be nice but most have this already
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit? yes, win 7 64

I didnt think about heat from the HD's being a issue but i guess with limited cooling it would be, ill just have to go with a 1-2 TB then and set up network storage later

going to check with my cable provider to see if it will work, do i just ask if i can get a cable card from them? or if i can use my own?

Also i think for ps2 emulation id have to have an separate gfx card, i dont know if on board can cut it

ryken not a fan of the nMedia cases, the lcd that you can buy for them doesnt support WMC from W7 and without it that cases lcd window bugs me (but it is a solid price) that MoBo and CPU look solid, i havent had an AMD since the barton days... lol but if i remember they do run pretty cool

great feed back guys! sorry i didnt post everything in the right way to start with hope this helps

oh and no pc gaming at all on this machine, only emulation browsing. streaming video, music and movies
 
Sparked said:
going to check with my cable provider to see if it will work, do i just ask if i can get a cable card from them? or if i can use my own?
Click to expand...

No you ask them if you can get a cable card.

The way it works is like this: First you have to get a tuner that support cable card. I.e the $210 ATI Tuner I linked to earlier. Then you have to call up your cable company, arrange a time for them to bring and install the cable card. And that's how you record cable content.
 
Sparked said:
so something like this wouldnt work then?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=cable_card_tuner-_-15-293-011-_-Product
Click to expand...
No. I don't even think that card can even record over-the-air (OTA) HD content.
Sparked said:
is there a way i can connect my cable box to my htpc and still record/watch/pause>?
Click to expand...

Only way to do that is via these three options:
$205 - Hauppauge HD PVR
$210 - ATI TV Wonder Cable Card
http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4688&Itemid=1

EDIT: Case wise, I recommend going with the Antec NSK2480:
$100 - Antec NSK2480 mATX case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU
 
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ah ok, well ill pick the card up after then so i dont go over budget or sacrifice any components.

found out my cable provider does support cable cards, just gotta call them after i get the card good news!

i love that case. wish was all black though im sure ill live

any other ideas to finish things?
 
I think so yea, It doesnt need a whole lot, just more than the on board can provide, ive heard any DirectX10 and almost all 9s work spot on
 
Tell me what you guys think of this, in addition ill have my cable card later after everythings built total cost $582 and allows for adding one or more HD later if i decide to


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

GIGABYTE GA-M68M-S2P AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

GIGABYTE GV-R545OC-512I Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card

ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT-ECO 400W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Compatible with Core i7 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCK23GQ

LG Black Blu-ray Disc Combo SATA Model UH10LS20 LightScribe Support

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / Steel LC13B-E ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
 
mpls is the closest. it's in golden vallye (suberb).

the chipset on the MB is dated, but it is saving you some money. Given the low demands and lack of desire to overclock, it should be fine. Other than that, it looks good.

Go with the corsair PSU. good quality and enough power.
 
yea, i just wanted modular to keep the clutter down help airflow. That was the lowest i could find :( I currently have corsair in my gaming cpu and they are amazing. I can go with that i guess.

I wasnt happy with the MoBo but it has everything i really "need" it is somewhat of a dead end for later though.

I had looked at that XFX i have had them in the past and was pleased, i think ill swap that too.

I am actually headed to mpls in a few weeks around when i wanted to build, do you have some other suggestions?

I really really really would like a modular PS, any other cheaper ones that are good quality out there?
 
mpls is a city near me that has a microcenter

feels like such a waste though, putting 600w in a htpc, ill just have to suck it up and learn to manage cables better i think, thanks everyone for all your help!
 
Sparked said:
feels like such a waste though, putting 600w in a htpc, ill just have to suck it up and learn to manage cables better i think, thanks everyone for all your help!
Click to expand...

Well technically that Coolermaster 600W PSU is more of a 520W PSU considering that it only has 40A on the +12V rail. Most 500W to 550W PSUs have that. Most 600W PSUs have at least 48A to 50A on the +12V rail. So yeah, more of a 520W PSU.

But yeah even 520W is still a tad overkill.
 
mpls=minneapolis, OP is in north dakota. As far as microcenter is concerned, not much there is cheaper than newegg. It's more of a "need it now" type place, but it's still a fun place to see if you have some time. It's about 10-15minutes west of downtown if you want to go.
 
ryken said:
mpls=minneapolis, OP is in north dakota. As far as microcenter is concerned, not much there is cheaper than newegg. It's more of a "need it now" type place, but it's still a fun place to see if you have some time. It's about 10-15minutes west of downtown if you want to go.
Click to expand...

Not sure if you were answering Danny or if you didn't realize Sparked and the OP are same guy. :p

@OP: Anyhow, the main draw for MC is their cheap CPU pricing, and their extra $20 off if buying a qualifying CPU/Mobo combo (though, not sure this sale is still good for March). Also, they may pricematch Newegg, but YMMV.
 
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