So, I am putting together a new HTPC build, like so many others on here, and I would greatly appreciate some feedback on it. It will function as a server and HTPC, it will only be on when we need it and there is no problem with needing to wake it from sleep. It will primarily be used to playback my backed-up collection of HD-DVDs and Blu-rays in .iso format. I know that .iso files take up considerably more space than .mkv's and other file types but I don't want to lose any quality and maintain the menu structure and extras. It also takes enough time as it is without compressing/encoding. There is the chance that down the road I will need it to playback .mkv's, so I would like it to be able to play them back decently.
Software-wise, I would really like to use Windows 7 x64 but I know there are difficulties with getting the drivers, programs and codecs to work correctly with it for HTPC use. I am currently using Windows 7 Beta and pretty much have everything working the way I would like it to, but that may not be the case with this new build. I also have a copy of Vista Ultimate I could use. I plan on using Windows Media Center with the MyMovies add-on and PowerDVD 7 to allow the playback of HD-DVD and Blu-ray .iso files. I use AnyDVD HD to create the images of the dvds but it is painfully slow, usually 3-6 MB/s. I have only used it with Windows 7, so I don't know if it works better/faster with Vista, but is there a better/faster imaging program?
The HTPC will be connected to my 50" plasma at 1080p through HDMI and using the tv's integrated speakers until I can convince the wife we need a surround sound system. I would like for the computer to be able to output all of the Dolby Digital 7.1 surround types, can't remember what they all are.
I have read the forums here and other places, and come up with builds around AMD, Intel socket 775, and Atom, and have decided that AMD is probably the best option.
As for my needs of the hardware:
Case: Must be aesthetically pleasing, quiet, black, room for at least 4 hdds (preferably 6) and 1 dvd drive. I would like for a MCE IR sensor and remote to be included and an LCD display on the front would be nice. The case I had in mind is theSilverstone GD-01B-MXR.
Price $239.99-$70.00 MIR + $20.99 shipping
Processor: Must run cool, at least dual-core, and be low wattage. Which brings to what seems to be everybody's processor of choice, the AMD X2 5050e.
Price $59.99 with free shipping
RAM: I want to go with 4GB because it is so cheap, so I was thinking about getting the OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB DDR2 800.
Price $53.99 - $15.00 MIR with free shipping
My only concern with the RAM is whether or not the heatspreaders will cause clearance issues due to their extra height. I don't suppose the heatpipe portion of the coolers comes off or can be rotated, can they? I like the idea of larger than normal heatspreaders because I would like for things to still run cool with the amount of airflow through the case. If there does end up being clearance issues, then I will probably just swap the RAM with the 4GB I have in my main rig.
Powersupply: I want a modular PSU so that cable management is easy and airflow through the case is as good as possible. I would also prefer that it is high efficiency, 80+ certified. It would need at least 4, (preferably 5 or more) SATA power connectors. I plan on using at least four hdds and possibly a SATA blu-ray/hd-dvd drive. I am considering this Enermax Liberty ELT400AWT-ECO because the price and features seem to be good. I also thought about the Corsair 520HX, but it only has 4 SATA power connectors and is $30 more.
Price $79.99 - $20.00 MIR with free shipping
Harddrives: I currently have 4 x 640 GB WD Black, a 1 TB Seagate, a 500 GB WD, and a 74 GB Raptor. I will probably use the 1 TB and 2 to 4 of the 640 GB drives for this build, and possibly purchase a 1.5 TB drive in the near future.
Price $0.00 for now
Video Card: I plan on using the integrated video on the motherboard until I see the need for more power.
Price $0.00
Motherboard: It must have integrated video with enough power to playback HD-DVDs, Blu-rays, and the occasional .mkv, .wmv, .avi, etc. at 1080p. It needs to have audio pass-thru over the HDMI and an optical SPDIF port would be nice. There must be a minimum of 5 Sata II ports, eSata ports would be a bonus, one PCI-E x16 slot for the possible addition of a video card down the road, 7.1 channel audio with support for the different Dolby formats if possible. Would I need to purchase a soundcard to play back these audio streams? The motherboard I am looking at is the ASUS M3A78-EM 780G.
Price $78.99 + $4.19 shipping
I also considered purchasing a 790GX motherboard instead, like this Jetway HA07, because of the better integrated video and an additional SATA port, but it does not have an optical SPDIF port and is about $20.00 more.
HSF: I plan on using the Scythe Ninja Mini unless anyone knows of a better cooler that will fit in the case.
Price $29.99 + $3.60 shipping
This brings the total price for all of the components I selected to
$537.94 + $32.18 shipping = $570.12 - $105 MIR - $14.79 Live Cashback = $450.33
I know the Mail-In-Rebates are a gamble, and I am somewhat ok with the total without them. This is pushing the upper-end of my budget for this build and I would like to drop the price before rebates down some if possible.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Software-wise, I would really like to use Windows 7 x64 but I know there are difficulties with getting the drivers, programs and codecs to work correctly with it for HTPC use. I am currently using Windows 7 Beta and pretty much have everything working the way I would like it to, but that may not be the case with this new build. I also have a copy of Vista Ultimate I could use. I plan on using Windows Media Center with the MyMovies add-on and PowerDVD 7 to allow the playback of HD-DVD and Blu-ray .iso files. I use AnyDVD HD to create the images of the dvds but it is painfully slow, usually 3-6 MB/s. I have only used it with Windows 7, so I don't know if it works better/faster with Vista, but is there a better/faster imaging program?
The HTPC will be connected to my 50" plasma at 1080p through HDMI and using the tv's integrated speakers until I can convince the wife we need a surround sound system. I would like for the computer to be able to output all of the Dolby Digital 7.1 surround types, can't remember what they all are.
I have read the forums here and other places, and come up with builds around AMD, Intel socket 775, and Atom, and have decided that AMD is probably the best option.
As for my needs of the hardware:
Case: Must be aesthetically pleasing, quiet, black, room for at least 4 hdds (preferably 6) and 1 dvd drive. I would like for a MCE IR sensor and remote to be included and an LCD display on the front would be nice. The case I had in mind is theSilverstone GD-01B-MXR.
Price $239.99-$70.00 MIR + $20.99 shipping
Processor: Must run cool, at least dual-core, and be low wattage. Which brings to what seems to be everybody's processor of choice, the AMD X2 5050e.
Price $59.99 with free shipping
RAM: I want to go with 4GB because it is so cheap, so I was thinking about getting the OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB DDR2 800.
Price $53.99 - $15.00 MIR with free shipping
My only concern with the RAM is whether or not the heatspreaders will cause clearance issues due to their extra height. I don't suppose the heatpipe portion of the coolers comes off or can be rotated, can they? I like the idea of larger than normal heatspreaders because I would like for things to still run cool with the amount of airflow through the case. If there does end up being clearance issues, then I will probably just swap the RAM with the 4GB I have in my main rig.
Powersupply: I want a modular PSU so that cable management is easy and airflow through the case is as good as possible. I would also prefer that it is high efficiency, 80+ certified. It would need at least 4, (preferably 5 or more) SATA power connectors. I plan on using at least four hdds and possibly a SATA blu-ray/hd-dvd drive. I am considering this Enermax Liberty ELT400AWT-ECO because the price and features seem to be good. I also thought about the Corsair 520HX, but it only has 4 SATA power connectors and is $30 more.
Price $79.99 - $20.00 MIR with free shipping
Harddrives: I currently have 4 x 640 GB WD Black, a 1 TB Seagate, a 500 GB WD, and a 74 GB Raptor. I will probably use the 1 TB and 2 to 4 of the 640 GB drives for this build, and possibly purchase a 1.5 TB drive in the near future.
Price $0.00 for now
Video Card: I plan on using the integrated video on the motherboard until I see the need for more power.
Price $0.00
Motherboard: It must have integrated video with enough power to playback HD-DVDs, Blu-rays, and the occasional .mkv, .wmv, .avi, etc. at 1080p. It needs to have audio pass-thru over the HDMI and an optical SPDIF port would be nice. There must be a minimum of 5 Sata II ports, eSata ports would be a bonus, one PCI-E x16 slot for the possible addition of a video card down the road, 7.1 channel audio with support for the different Dolby formats if possible. Would I need to purchase a soundcard to play back these audio streams? The motherboard I am looking at is the ASUS M3A78-EM 780G.
Price $78.99 + $4.19 shipping
I also considered purchasing a 790GX motherboard instead, like this Jetway HA07, because of the better integrated video and an additional SATA port, but it does not have an optical SPDIF port and is about $20.00 more.
HSF: I plan on using the Scythe Ninja Mini unless anyone knows of a better cooler that will fit in the case.
Price $29.99 + $3.60 shipping
This brings the total price for all of the components I selected to
$537.94 + $32.18 shipping = $570.12 - $105 MIR - $14.79 Live Cashback = $450.33
I know the Mail-In-Rebates are a gamble, and I am somewhat ok with the total without them. This is pushing the upper-end of my budget for this build and I would like to drop the price before rebates down some if possible.
Thanks in advance for any advice!