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Htpc

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sirtoby

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2002
Location
Finland
So.. I've now been looking around for some HTPC parts.. and this is what I've found so far..

Antec Fusion MediaCenter (PianoBlack)

FUSION_front.jpg


Specs here: http://www.antec-inc.com/support_productInfo_details.php?ProdID=08739#

The case takes full ATX motherboards, and a 380W Antec TruePower is included.. sweet.. :)
This meant that the choices of motherboards were not really limited..

However, I narrowed it down to, MSI K7N2G-L. A nForce2 board with onboard sound, graphics, tv-out and lan.
I decided that I'll pair this with a Tbred B 1700+ (thought about duron but then again it's only 15-20$ difference) and 256 mb PC2700 memory (the memory sitting in my current rig, will purchase some 3200 Twinmos for that one).

Since it'll be a HTPC I need a DVD player. Decided on LG GDR-8161B, mostly because you can buy black front panels for them. I also have a DVD decoder card already, Realmagic Hollywood+ which will go in there.

Thought that I'd throw in a SLK-900u there, and a 92x92 fan (from Zalman.. 20 dB at low-rpm).

Also, some wireless stuff.. :) a keytronic cordless keyboard+mouse..

Now, what is left to choose is should I get a floppy and whether I should shell out for a hd also.. I have a 15gb sitting in my current puter that I *could* move.. but then again I would like to see a 80 gb there.. it might, or might not, happen.. If I decide to buy one it'll probably be a Seagate Barracuda IV or V.

This computer will then be used as a HTPC (playing music, movies etc.) and a server. I will probably install Apache and run it as a webserver/gateway.. as I also need a computer to share the internet connection here at home.. :) Also, since it does have a gf4 mx integrated.. I might play some games on it..

Now.. I only need to find a nice 1700+.. because if that o/c good I'll put that in my main rig and then my Tbred A 1800+ will go in the server..

Anyways.. what do you think.. would you make any changes to it?
 
Sounds good to me. I like the idea of getting the Zalman fan and the slk-900, I was thinking of a similaer thing for my 2400+, but that costs more money then I'm wlling to spend, especially since I expect to be getting a new system (possibly Intel) but summer's end.
 
I especially like that case.. since it's desktop, but still takes full-atx.. and it's an antec.. :)

only downside is that it's a bit pricy.. but since I got a job yesterday.. won't start before June though, I know I have some cash to spend :D

Will probably set me back 600-700 dollars total.. depending on if I get that extra hd or not.
 
I'm thinking mini on a future build, dunno if I can afford it to be my NEXT build though (have to buy camping/hiking gear by June myself). I love the idea of having a small PC/cube, then just add external USB2 devices as needed. Intel is the winner in the mini atx department, so that's another reason I'm thinking of going back to the dark side ;).
 
noo! :) AMD actually have some nice stuff also, if you would consider going micro-atx.. for instance Chaintech has a nForce2 based micro-atx board that is supposed to be pretty good..

also I looked at the VIA EPIA boards for a while but decided to ditch them.. although the VIA boards are of course neither AMD nor Intel.
 
Well, yes they have some solutions, but for a smallish setup with a fast video card and 7200-10000 rpm drive, and dvd burner, I want the cpu to run as cool as it can and also tolerate the hot environment it's going to be asked to work in... I am surely an AMD fan for standard PCs for the price, but let's face it... Intel wins in this scenerio.
 
I'd say it's a close race.. but yes, Intel runs cooler which perhaps means better suited for this.. but I wouldn't say that AMD comes far behind..

I went with price and you get away cheaper with AMD systems.. :) and you don't need that good cooling when running stock
 
sirtoby said:

I went with price and you get away cheaper with AMD systems.. :) and you don't need that good cooling when running stock

That's not true with my 2400+, core temps (internal diode) are 60+C with decent cooling at full load, 35+C case temp (a tad high, but really... :rolleyes: ). That's damn hot! Volcano 7+ at medium, it's cool enough to remain stable, but that isn't exactly what I could consider 'ideal'. Intel cpus generate heat, but not at that level.
 
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