First HTPC Build

[jabaro]

I'm seriously considering building my first HTPC, and am looking at the following: Link to Newegg WishList (http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=9482426&WishListTitle=First)

I'll primarily be using this to play BluRay movies, backing up my DVD collection (Not very large, but might add another hard drive if it gets larger), playing music and some light gaming. I won't be using it as a DVR as right now getting that to work with my Comcast cable box would not be fully functional with ease. (On Demand Content and Premium channels).

Any suggestions are very much appreciated. I was also considering the Zalman 160 case.

[jimmsch]

The only change I will suggest is to use a fanless video card. MSI has one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127318) in the same price range of the same chipset as the one you list. Fanless is nice in HTPC.

[Robmoo]

In my gaming pc the video card fan is the noisiest part. I'm going with the built in video on the MB for my HTPC. If I decide to add a card later I'll go fanless.

[Kasm]

I'm going with the built in video on the MB for my HTPC. If I decide to add a card later I'll go fanless.


The main reason to use a video card for an HTPC is that some video cards have hardware encoding/decoding of HDTV content. If you go without one of these cards, then your CPU has to do all of this decoding. If you have a fast enough CPU then this isn't an issue, but a lot of people use lower powered cpu to keep noise, power, and heat down. This type of htpc can face studdering issues while playing hdtv without the use of a card. Of course, if you aren't using hdtv then you have no reason to worry.

An ATI 2600 does hdtv decoding and can be found in the passive version.

[tgxiii]

Would you consider going AMD? A lot of reviews I've read show the 780G to be a top performer for HTPC use. You might even end up saving money since you won't need a video card and a 45-watt X2 costs less than an E5200.

[dribblesnort]

From personal experience I can say without a doubt that anything OVER a Socket 939 Single-Core 4000+ is overkill for the CPU of a HTPC.

Mine runs 24/7 with ZERO problems and I could probably underclock it and get even lower power consumption...

780 chipset Video and a low-cost AMD is the way to go in my opinion...

[nd4spdbh2]

From personal experience I can say without a doubt that anything OVER a Socket 939 Single-Core 4000+ is overkill for the CPU of a HTPC.

Mine runs 24/7 with ZERO problems and I could probably underclock it and get even lower power consumption...

780 chipset Video and a low-cost AMD is the way to go in my opinion...

not true.... if your like me and like your dvd's to look good @ 1080p resolution you use an upscaling program like FFDSHOW. playing a normal dvd using nvidia purevideo codecs and using ffdshow to upscale uses any where from 65-80% cpu power on my E4300 clocked @ 3ghz. theres no way a single core 939 cpu could keep the framerate up.


Anyways OP that looks like a great setup, (minus the ATI card but thats personal fanboyism) You will probably be able to do like i do with my HTPC's e4300 and overclock it while undervolting it! but that 45nm cpu will run pretty nice and cool either way.

[dribblesnort]

not true.... if your like me and like your dvd's to look good @ 1080p resolution you use an upscaling program like FFDSHOW. playing a normal dvd using nvidia purevideo codecs and using ffdshow to upscale uses any where from 65-80% cpu power on my E4300 clocked @ 3ghz. theres no way a single core 939 cpu could keep the framerate up.


Anyways OP that looks like a great setup, (minus the ATI card but thats personal fanboyism) You will probably be able to do like i do with my HTPC's e4300 and overclock it while undervolting it! but that 45nm cpu will run pretty nice and cool either way.


I bolded the appropriate section of your post. I am not like you. I use a video card that has hardware decode in it and it works like a champ.

[nd4spdbh2]

I bolded the appropriate section of your post. I am not like you. I use a video card that has hardware decode in it and it works like a champ.

yes but in your previous post you made it seem as if in no way cpu power is necessary for a htpc, i was just pointing out that there are cases where cpu power is most definitely needed. I mean do you want your 720x480 rez dvds to be expanded out by normal means which produces a crappy picture?