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New HTPC Build, need help

G

Gh+st

n00b
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
7
This is my first time putting together an HTPC, and I want to make sure I've got a good handle on it before I go ahead and order the parts. I want to build something that's small, sleek and quiet. I also want it to be capable of handling an HDTV signal and I'd like to hook my Xbox 360 up to it. I'm also gonna hook a DAC to the soundcard, so I picked something out that has optical outputs. Here's my setup

LCD projector w/1 DVI and 1 VGA input
Antec Veris Fusion V2 case
Intel Dual Core 1.6 ghz processor
Biostar 945G microATX mobo
1 gig pqiTURBO DDR2 667 memory
ATI X800 PCI-e x16 video card
ATI Radeon HDTV Wonder TV Tuner car
HT Omega Striker 7.1 soundcard
Sony NEC Optiarc DVD/CD drive
500gig Western Digital Caviar Hard Drive

Does this sound like a good setup? I'd be happy to hear any suggestions.
 
It's not a bad start, but here are a few thoughts:

--For decoding HD content, you can choose one of three options: a) have the CPU do it, in which case a Core2Duo or Athlon X2 is necessary, b) buy a motherboard with a chipset that can handle HD (on the AMD side, the 690G or GeForce 7050 or 6150-based MB's will do it, I'm not sure on the Intel side), or have an add-in card (like the GeForce 8500) do it. My first choice would be to go with a motherboard that supports hardware decoding of the HD content. That way you don't even have to spend any money on the video card.
--Do you know what projector you want to get? Unless you want to spend beaucoup bucks, you'll be dealing with less than 1080p. 1024x768 is more likely. It may or may not be an issue for you, just something to keep in mind.
--I'd recommend a Core2Duo or Athlon 64 X2 over the Pentium Dual Core, as they're faster and lower-wattage.
--You may find that an add-in sound card won't give you much improvement over the onboard sound of the motherboard. Build it first and use the on-board, and if you find yourself dissatisfied, then you can buy the new sound card.
 
I chose the video card and tv Tuner combo b/c I already had both of them lying around from a previous PC build. You make a good point about the lower wattage CPU, but the case I'm getting comes with a 400+W PSU.
 
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