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Need help on building a HTPC

E

expert464

n00b
Joined
Feb 25, 2005
Messages
10
I haven't built a computer for about 6 years so I'm very out of the game as far as recent hardware is concerned. I have a 32 inch Toshiba Regza that I'll be hooking this up to (its 720p). I'd like to play some moderate games on it (Oblivion, Diablo 3, Half-Life 2) but not looking to go much beyond that. I've thought about including a TV Tuner but where I live we get around 2-3 channels OTA... I'd still like the option to add one later (I dont plan on having cable). Don't know much about cases but I'd prefer something not too fancy but smaller than an ATX case. Quiet and cool running case/cpu would be nice. I'm not an audio-buff so most of this will be running through the TV speakers. Also I need ideas on a wireless keyboard/mouse/remote.

Things I already have:
  • 160gb ide hard drive. is this worth adding? is everything sata now?
  • DVD-RW ide drive. I dont plan on adding a blu-ray drive at this point but will eventually. is ide ok?
  • Windows XP. I also have a MCE disc that came with my laptop, is it possible to install that on the new HTPC and use something else on my laptop? or is that going to run me into product key problems? I'd like to keep on the XP platform and not Vista/Win7. I guess this means I'm limited to 2gb ram though...

Anything else I'm missing? I need case/psu, memory, cpu, hard drive, mobo, graphics card, keyboard, mouse, maybe remote. Possibly around $400-600. Thanks for helping!
 
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972&page=85

I used that above guide to put together a HTPC recently in the same budget range. I am very happy with mine. (see sig)

IDE hard drive should do it for basic HTPC. I am using a IDE DVD writer (plextor) no problem.


The XP that came with the laptop is OEM software. you cannot transfer it to another PC i believe.

windows media center comes with Vista Home premium and the OEM system builder version is about $99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485

My xp 32 bit only sees 2.9 GB of memory. 32 bit OS will have more codec available to you. I don't think you need more than a couple of GB of memory for a HTPC unless you want to play high end games on it.
 
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You don't need more than 2gb of RAM so that's not really an issue..

But rethink not giving Win7 a go. I am a WinXP holdover but going to to Win7 on my HTPC was the best decision ever. It makes everything RIDICULOUSLY simple... and the included media center is a great, virtually headache free solution.

Plus you can still try it free for the next year before deciding whether or not to actually plunk down the money on it (since I since the window for the $49 upgrade is passed... but I may be wrong).

There are currently threads still on page 1 discussing keyboard/mouse options as well as recommendations for mobo/cpu/case/etc. Look through them and you should be set.
 
Blu-ray drive will most likely run on SATA; so for now, you can use whatever parts you have on hand, but the motherboard you buy will have SATA ports so you'll be fine.
 
rhouck said:
You don't need more than 2gb of RAM so that's not really an issue..

But rethink not giving Win7 a go. I am a WinXP holdover but going to to Win7 on my HTPC was the best decision ever. It makes everything RIDICULOUSLY simple... and the included media center is a great, virtually headache free solution.

Plus you can still try it free for the next year before deciding whether or not to actually plunk down the money on it (since I since the window for the $49 upgrade is passed... but I may be wrong).

There are currently threads still on page 1 discussing keyboard/mouse options as well as recommendations for mobo/cpu/case/etc. Look through them and you should be set.
Click to expand...


Windows 7 $49 upgrade is still running . I am pulling the trigger soon. I believe it runs until July 11th.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win...tr_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1246973751&sr=8-1
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
eli2k said:
Blu-ray drive will most likely run on SATA; so for now, you can use whatever parts you have on hand, but the motherboard you buy will have SATA ports so you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Just want to be sure current mobo's (especially HTPC-related ones) still have IDE channels
 
Even enthusiast mobo's still have 1 IDE socket so you should be safe on that one.

A note on DVB-T cards; Speaking from my own personal experience, I've had very bad albeit limited experience with both a Terratec 1xPCI-E card & Hauppauge PCI card. I lived at the time in a low signal area & it made the DVB-T cards unusable, and online digging seemed to suggest (big generalisation coming) that DVB-T cards suffer from being very 'signal needy'. Since then I've moved & signal isn't a problem, but Sky+ has since quashed my need for a DVB-T card.
So before getting any TV card I'd suggest you do plenty of signal related research on the products, and double check that your TV aerial & aerial cabling isn't the cause of the week signal.
 
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Ok I'm starting to pick out parts for this thing. I'd like to go with the 5050e for the processor (it should be able to handle 1080p as well as the games I listed in the first post?). I'd also like to have a separate video card and I'm looking at the Radeon HD4650 or 4670. Good match with processor? What would be the bottleneck?

With those 2 in mind, I started looking for a case. One of the recent threads in the board mentioned this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027 but the reviews for it range from "loud" to "very quiet", criticize the proprietary PSU and I also am not sure if the video card will fit in it. I guess it is rather cheap. Not looking for a fancy case here, anyone have any recommendations that will fit that video card? Is there a motherboard with onboard graphics that will be able to play games good enough (or on par with the 4650) that I won't need a separate one?

Right now I have a computer with a Radeon 9600 pro. Have onboard graphics reached the point where they are significantly better than that? Maybe onboard is the way to go on this.
 
For chassis, I have used this one before..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204030

Overall, a pretty good chassis. Lot's of room for storage (4 HDD bays). Fans in back are pretty quiet.

However, there are some challenges with it as well. Back wall steel is pretty soft so there is a LOT of flex in the back wall until you install some cards. Fit/finish could be better. When you install the top on it, it does not perfectly line up with the front bezel. No built in IR but you can pick up a IR receiver + remote for about $20 on Amazon.

If you use this chassis, here is a tip on using IR with this chassis. Grab an USB expanion cable (the kind that comes with mobos) that would normally take up an expansion slot and connects to the pin header on the mobo. Remove the bracket so you just have the USB port/cable. Remove the plastic covering on the inside of the bezel that covers display window. Plug in the cable to a header on the mobo and route it to the front of the chassis (near the display window). Plug in your IR receiver into that USB port/cable and secure it in place in that window area using velcro of something.

This will allow you to build in your own internal IR device to the chassis.
 
Onboard graphics can decode and play 1080p, however when you start to get into gaming you need a dedicated graphics card to really be able to turn up the options in your games.

Many people here are using a Antec case with a built in PSU. I forget the model number but am sure someone else can chime in with it

There is one thing I am asking as it was not covered in your original post. Are you passing the audio from the computer to a reciever or straight to your TV? If sending the audio to a reciever it adds some additional things to be aware of.
 
expert464 said:
With those 2 in mind, I started looking for a case. One of the recent threads in the board mentioned this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027 but the reviews for it range from "loud" to "very quiet", criticize the proprietary PSU and I also am not sure if the video card will fit in it. I guess it is rather cheap. Not looking for a fancy case here, anyone have any recommendations that will fit that video card? Is there a motherboard with onboard graphics that will be able to play games good enough (or on par with the 4650) that I won't need a separate one?
Click to expand...
If you build in that case you have to use this video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061

That's the fastest low profile card out there but you run the very high risk of over taxing the PSU. I wouldn't do it.

BTW, there's nothing in onboard video land that is as fast as a 8600 GT level card. If you want to game then you're going to need a video card.

Here's what I would build if I was you:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253

Add whatever DVD drive you want, add a good size HDD and maybe pick up a Scythe Mini Ninja and run the thing passively.
 
That's the case, best HTPC case out there actually (it's cousin, the Fusion, is good but the cost doesn't make it an attractive option. I have both and prefer the NSK).
 
I am still looking for the perfect HTPC case. I have looked at a lot of them and done several installs.

I posted about some of them here:
http://links.amd.com/Chassis

Good news is that chassis vendors are starting to understand that HTPCs need their own unique solutions. Don't just paint it black and lay it on it's side and call it an HTPC chassis.

Chassis vendors have started to bring products to market that better fit the needs of the HTPC. However, as mentioned, I think there is still room for improvements. In my lab, I have about 15 different HTPC chassis. They each offer some very compelling features for this space, yet there are things I would personally change on each of them to improve the designs. In fact, I have spoken with all these vendors and provided some feedback that may or may not make it into future designs.

Short answer is pick a solution that best works for your budget and aesthetics. What works for others may not work well for you.
 
CrimandEvil said:
Here's what I would build if I was you:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253

Add whatever DVD drive you want, add a good size HDD and maybe pick up a Scythe Mini Ninja and run the thing passively.
Click to expand...

This looks good. After doing some reading it looks like the Intel E5200 beats the AMD 5050e in speed (and power consumption?)

I'm still looking for an ideal case. The price is whats getting me. Maybe I can just replace the PSU in my current regular case with a new quiet one and hide it behind the entertainment center. How often do you guys need to touch the case? On most days I can only think to turn it on.
 
expert464 said:
Is this the case? (Antec NSK2480)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034

There's also a 1480 but it says deactivated on newegg.

Right now I will probably send it straight to TV. Would sending it to a receiver just add cables or need new hardware?

For a remote, I was thinking that I could get by with a wireless mouse/keyboard.
Click to expand...

I have this case as well and like it alot. only drawback is 2 HDDs but i dont really want more than that anyways, and should use a NAS if i truly need more than 2 1.5TBs.

I bought the MS remote/RF usb adapter from tiger direct, it was like $35 and there are times i am very glad i have the remote and use it, like watching one season of a show and not wanting to find the mouse each time. or when the mouse is dead and i only need to browse shows.

I currently use this as a mouse/keyboard,http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/164&cl=US,EN i got it on ebay for 45 cause of a broken corner of plastic.

but also bought this for 10bux as my kb when i need something small.
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204318401
if i needed to type seriously this thing wont work all that well but for typing in a URL or somesuch it works great with the bluetooth i already have.
 
I'm about to pull the trigger on this. Only concern I have at this point is that there are only 2 reviews of the motherboard on NewEgg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131394

Can anyone recommend this mobo or another one that would work? I basically have what CrimandEvil suggested a few posts up except I might go 2x2gb instead of 2x1gb. What ram speed do I need with the Intel E5200 (800fsb)?

Also when I buy the processor (which comes with heatsink), does it come with thermal paste on it? I think I remember the last one I bought already had some applied so I never used the stuff I got. Also, for those that said they have the NSK2480 case, how is the PSU? I ask because I think my PSU in my old computer just died and now I'm starting to take a look at these things more closely and it doesnt have the Volts/Amps specs on NewEgg.
 
Asus has been around for ages... I wouldn't worry about it... most of the reviews are written by mouth-breathers anyway.

For an HPTC machine you really don't need more than 2GB of RAM, actually 1BG is fine too.. DDR2 800 is all you'll need.

Retail processors come with the paste already on the heatsink, you don't need to waste money on extra stuff.
 
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