Hey, I am looking to build a HTPC to hook upto my HDTV for around $500. I would prefer something in a smaller format to a full size case but i dont know what so I shall leave that up to you Pros!
To get that price I think you would have to buy used parts off craigslist, ebay etc unless you have some parts to use. as stated above what are your intentions of use.
Am looking to have it play back movies, mp3s and surf. I will prefer to control it by a keyboard. I don't mind paying a bit more if someone can outline for me with the info provided so far a list and prices
Nmedia HTPC-100BA Desktop Media Centre Case mATX Black 1X5.25 2X3.5INT LCD Card Reader 300W - $100.22
ASUS M2A-VM mATX AM2 AMD 690G DDR2 PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI Video VGA DVI Sound Motherboard - $89.64
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Dual Core Processor Socket AM2 Brisbane 1.9GHZ 2X512KB 65NM 65W Retail Box - $83.20
Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB SATA2 7200RPM 8MB 8.9MS Hard Drive 3 Year MFR Warranty - $68.75
LG GSA-H54N DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 DL 10X DVD Writer IDE 2MB Black OEM W/ SW - $36.50
Crucial Rendition 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 240PIN Dimm Memory - $43.99
Logitech Cordless Desktop Ex 110 Wireless RF Keyboard & Optical Mouse USB/PS2 - $37.41
Linux - Free
Total - $470.71 at DirectCanada.com
Optional - WINTV-PVR 250 PCI REMOTE MPG2 HARDWARE DECODER ENG VERSION - $152.85
Recommended Upgrade - Western Digital SE16 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Cache 8.9MS NCQ Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty - $138.99 (from 160 GB - $68.75)
Windows MCE Version add...
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with SP2 OEM English - $134.63
Optional - Microsoft Remote Control W/ USB Receiver OEM for Windows XP Media Center Edition (with System Only) - $29.15
What do you guys think of this, what would you change or add to it for my build? I already have vista ultimate, so we can take that out of the equation
a. ASUS M2A-VM HDMI motherboard (AMD 690G chipset)
b. AMD AM2 4800+ cpu
c. 2 GB Crucial DDR2 ram
d. 250GB samsumg spinpoint HDD (for OS and software)
e. 500GB segate 7200.10 HDD x 2 (for storage)
f. Zalman HD 135 Case with Seasonic S12 430w PSW
You might want to read this review of the Zalman HD135 case, especially the cooling mod. I also have to question why you put an mATX mobo in a full ATX case. I would either get an mATX case or a full size mobo. I considered the ASUS M2A-VM mobo for my HTPC but would have put it in a low profile mATX case. I decided to go with a full size motherboard and a Silverstone LC20 case. I also went with one of the low power AMD EE CPUs to cut down on heat.
I went with an nVidia 7600GT for video. One of the new 8600 cards should also work well. In that case, eliminate the mobo video and look for extra motherboard features like extra USB ports and firewire.
I'm pretty sure that you're over $500 with that configuration. I haven't seen pricing onthe 8600s yet, but given that they are brand new you aren't likely to see them for under $200.
I already have everything in #10 on the list, so I just have to deal with 1-9. Am willing to extend the budget a bit. Now what will be the best cable/s to hook this up to my LCD HDTV? I only have 1 hdmi port and it's used up by the dvd right now.
The mobo recommended to me doesn't get good reviews for HTPC
Actually scrap #1 and #2......tomshardware wasn't keen on the nmedia htpc-100ba desktop media centre case matx silver 1x5.25 lcd card reader 300w, it was too tight inside to work with and it was noisy.
Am now going to go with the silverstone LC20M htpc case ( although it doesn't come with a fan ). I just a decent ATX mobo with with hdmi, firewire and 5.1 audio to go with that now
I want my hdtv.....so which full ATX board do you have in your case of choice then, and does it include all the features you mentioned earlier like firewire, usb, dvi and all that?
I used a ASUS M2N-E because it has 6 SATA ports and I wanted to do RAID5. Unfortunately, the mobo RAID turned out to be next to useless due to speed. (Do not install the nVidia SATA disk driver.) Another option is the ASUS M2N-E SLI. There are trade offs with each board. If you want firewire, and 2 IDE connectors the SLI version is better. The non-SLI version has 10 USB ports and 6 SATA connectors. There may be better mobo's available but probably not at the same price.
The Silverstone LC20 case requires 5 USB ports and 1 firewire port to be fully connected on the front panel. (There are 4 USB ports out front & 1 is required for the display.) The LC20 can also hold up to 6 disk drives (a max of 4 or 5 is more realistic due to space conflicts.) I also installed five 80 mm fans (3 exhaust in the back and 2 intake in front, silent type and slowed down with Asus Qfan.) At least 2 in back are required. 2 more are recommended in the front if more than 2 disk drives are installed.
I used an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ EE processor but would probably go with a 4200+ or 4600+ with the recent price drops. Make sure you get the EE/65w versions since they consume less power.
I also used a Silverstone Element ST50EF-PLUS 500W ATX12V 20/24PIN Power Supply. Quite happy with that.
BTW, my system cost close to $1000. The case and P/S were the major expense, costing over $300. The LC20 is an awesome case though, the best I could find for the price.
Think I have decided on the LC20M since it comes with the remote and IRD, and my power supply will be the silverstone strider st 60f psu 600w atx. I'll have to look into a more suitable and up to date mobo that is not an matx ( i heard matx boards are causing problems in this case in terms of screwing it down)
How would one go about solving the problem at the back of the LC20M case where the cable comes thru that hole, which can allow dust to get into the system?
It is not necessary to take the cable out the back. There is an adapter for an internal USB header. An issue arises due to the LC20M's requirement for 5 USB ports. Most motherboards only have internal headers for 4 USB ports. Possible solutions are:
1. Run the cable out the back.
2. Leave 2 of the 4 USB ports on the LC20M front panel disconnected.
3. Get a motherboard with 6 internal USB ports.
4. Buy an add-on USB card that has internal USB ports.
BTW, newer LC20Ms have different drive cages than pictured. It is a single cage in front of the power supply with the drives mounted vertically. Space behind the drive cage is limited so a small form factor power supply is desirable, especially if fans are mounted in the drive cage.
Update... NCIX has the ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe on special this week. It has all the features necessary to support the LC-20M, 10 internal USB ports, 6 SATA connectors, firewire, ...
Shoulda got this originally :sigh:
4200+ EE and 4600+ EE processers are also on special. Too bad AMD prices dropped after I purchased.
I'm curious whether these 690G based solutions can handle BluRay/HD-DVD decoding at all or it leaves it to the processor.
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