Your thoughts on my HTPC build

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0pium

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Mar 31, 2008
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I want to build a HTPC that can play Blu-rays and record at least 2 HD shows at a time to the HDD. I am using a 60" Sony 1080p Projection HDTV.

Here is what I have come up with so far:
Case: $115 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034
Hard Drive: $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Motherboard: $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
CPU: $57 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774
RAM: $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
Blu-Ray Drive: $140 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225

Total: ~$576 after shipping

Are all of these parts compatible with each other? Am I missing any parts? Do I need to get a TV Tuner or a Video Card? Will the video quality be full HD?

What operating system should I use? Is there a good Linux OS designed for HTPC?
Do I need any other software?
 
My very first thought was where is the graphics card? I know the motherboard has the integrated graphics, but if your going to be watching HD movies all day you may want to pick a 8600gt or a HD2600xt just to help the picture out with that large of a TV.

As far as other components I use my TV tuner a lot but you may not. compatibility they are all fine.

I really like vista media center.
 
0pium said:
I want to build a HTPC that can play Blu-rays and record at least 2 HD shows at a time to the HDD. I am using a 60" Sony 1080p Projection HDTV.

Here is what I have come up with so far:
Case: $115 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034
Hard Drive: $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Motherboard: $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
CPU: $57 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774
RAM: $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
Blu-Ray Drive: $140 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225

Total: ~$576 after shipping

Are all of these parts compatible with each other? Am I missing any parts? Do I need to get a TV Tuner or a Video Card? Will the video quality be full HD?

What operating system should I use? Is there a good Linux OS designed for HTPC?
Do I need any other software?
Click to expand...

The 780G boards have been shown to provide great blu-ray playback. I think you are safe there. A TV tuner card is always a good add-in, though.

I also like vista's media player and use it.

For the CPU, I would recommend a AMD BE-2300 or BE-2350. They run at a lower voltage, so there is the opportunity to run them a little cooler/quieter and save some energy (which is important if you plan on running it all the time).

I use the same hard drive you listed in my desktop PC, and I find it very quiet for that. If you wanted to save a little more energy in your HTPC, you could track down a "green power" western digital drive.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

I will probably get the 8600gt if there will be a big difference.

To record HD video to the HDD, do I need a TV tuner, or does the mobo have that built in? If I need one then can you reccomend one?
 
0pium said:
I will probably get the 8600gt if there will be a big difference.
Click to expand...
Not really but there have been a few people (with the older 690G and/or the crappy 2x00 series cards) that have had pretty bad driver issues with using AMD's gear as an HTPC. Might not happen to you but if it does I would suggest picking up a 8500/8600GT to fix it.
To record HD video to the HDD, do I need a TV tuner, or does the mobo have that built in? If I need one then can you reccomend one?
Click to expand...
It depends. Are you talking about recording HD Sat or digital cable? Or are you talking about recording ATSC?
 
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