Help me Build New HTPC (Post here to discuss plans for new HTPC)

[jacksparrow]

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

Any suggestions ?

[jacksparrow]

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_Want_My_HDTV]

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.

[jacksparrow]

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)

[jacksparrow]

The intestines of an HTPC




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?

[I_Want_My_HDTV]

How would one go about solving the problem at the back of the LC20M case where the cable comes thru that hole

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.

[jacksparrow]

For those that have HTPCs built already, kindly list the specs and a pic

[I_Want_My_HDTV]

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.

[TurboTropic]

Biostar Tforce TA690GAM2 mATX AM2 DDR2 AMD 690G 1PCI-E16 2PCI SATA2 RAID Gbe HDMI VGA Motherboard $94.77

Seasonic S12-430HB 430W ATX12V 20/24 Pin V2.0 Active PFC Power Supply Retail Box $79.92

Nmedia HTPC-200BA Desktop Media Centre Case mATX Black 1X5.25 3X3.5INT LCD Card Reader No PS $102.73

Western Digital SE16 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Cache 8.9MS Ncq Hard Drive Oem 3YR Mfr Warranty $129.99

2 x Crucial Rendition 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 240PIN Dimm Memory $39.99 each

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.2GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM Retail Box $123.76

Microsoft Remote Control W/ USB Receiver OEM for Windows XP Media Center Edition $29.15

TOTAL: $640.30

I have a DVD-ROM drive, KB and mouse already.

[TurboTropic]

I'll put up a pic when it's built.

[jacksparrow]

Nice one

[jacksparrow]

Originally Posted by TurboTropic

I'll put up a pic when it's built.

How is that HTPC build going?

[Frogger]

I'm curious whether these 690G based solutions can handle BluRay/HD-DVD decoding at all or it leaves it to the processor.

[jacksparrow]

Yes they can, especiall the Asus m2a-vm hdmi mobo or the abit F-190HD

[Q]

After my socket A mobo fan controller died I am looking for a new computer now.

It will be running BeyondTV.

option 1)
HTPC still for kids and on old TV with just S-video input. Buy new mobo, ram, and CPU/fan. Everything else will be exsisting. mobo needs at least 2 sata ports. Would have to have AGP for exsisting Video Card. Everything as quiet as possible.

Cost about $150 taxes in.

option 2)
HTPC with a proper case, High Defintion OTA and possibly HD player.
cost about $1000 taxes in. The system can be incomplete and I can add things every month or so. ex. Hard drives, ram, video card for HD.

No gaming on either. I think the majority of work will be done by Hauppauge 150 card.

I prefer to buy from infonec, tigerdirect, canadacomputers etc. so they can set it up and I can pickup. I am pretty confident in most areas but have never a computer from scratch.

Thanks for any suggestions and opinions.

Joe