emkayd
asked on
Super Duper HTPC
I'm planning on building a PC which will let me use it as
1. HTPC (1080p/BD capable)
2. Regular PC (browsing, VPN, 1 or 2 Virtual machines, regular software)
3. Very little Gaming (not sure what i'm talking about as i'm not a gamer, but want to try).
These are some of the features I'm hoping this "box" should have, I'm new to building PCs (but I'm a sys admin and quite savvy w/ hardware/software installation). I wanted some input as to what kind of hardware should I buy for this device starting from:
1. HTPC Case (room for 3 or 4 3.5" drives and enough cooling)
2. MotherBoard
3. Processor (should i just get a core 2 duo or Phenom or get a Quad core - overkill?)
4. Graphics Card (is it even needed if we use IGP chipset like AMD 780/790 or Intel G45)
5. Blue Ray ROM (DVD/CD R/W) - LG unit?
6. 2 x TV Tuner Card (ability to schedule and record TV shows and Hulu) - hauppauge?
7. 802.11g/n support w/ Gigbit NIC
8. Decent sound card (7.1)
9. 4gb of RAM w/ room for more (in case of going 64 bit later).
10. Open to adding extra cooling.
11. Remote control for all this? Gyration or similar?
12. Use Vista Ultimate or Win Home Server? or anything else?
I understand this is probably too much to ask for and not even sure if I'm making sense here! My apologies if some of this stuff doesn't make sense. But any suggestions on these hardware will be greatly appreciated and will speed my process! Thanks much for your attention!
1. HTPC (1080p/BD capable)
2. Regular PC (browsing, VPN, 1 or 2 Virtual machines, regular software)
3. Very little Gaming (not sure what i'm talking about as i'm not a gamer, but want to try).
These are some of the features I'm hoping this "box" should have, I'm new to building PCs (but I'm a sys admin and quite savvy w/ hardware/software installation). I wanted some input as to what kind of hardware should I buy for this device starting from:
1. HTPC Case (room for 3 or 4 3.5" drives and enough cooling)
2. MotherBoard
3. Processor (should i just get a core 2 duo or Phenom or get a Quad core - overkill?)
4. Graphics Card (is it even needed if we use IGP chipset like AMD 780/790 or Intel G45)
5. Blue Ray ROM (DVD/CD R/W) - LG unit?
6. 2 x TV Tuner Card (ability to schedule and record TV shows and Hulu) - hauppauge?
7. 802.11g/n support w/ Gigbit NIC
8. Decent sound card (7.1)
9. 4gb of RAM w/ room for more (in case of going 64 bit later).
10. Open to adding extra cooling.
11. Remote control for all this? Gyration or similar?
12. Use Vista Ultimate or Win Home Server? or anything else?
I understand this is probably too much to ask for and not even sure if I'm making sense here! My apologies if some of this stuff doesn't make sense. But any suggestions on these hardware will be greatly appreciated and will speed my process! Thanks much for your attention!
>>MotherBoard
Anything with Intel chipset might be good...
>>3. Processor (should i just get a core 2 duo or Phenom or get a Quad core - overkill?)
If you're not a player... why a quad???...
>>6. 2 x TV Tuner Card (ability to schedule and record TV shows and Hulu) - hauppauge?
You just answer it your self... They have combo cards, 1 digital 1 analog tuners...
And looks like you're gonna need a big power supply... >500W I suggest...
Anything with Intel chipset might be good...
>>3. Processor (should i just get a core 2 duo or Phenom or get a Quad core - overkill?)
If you're not a player... why a quad???...
>>6. 2 x TV Tuner Card (ability to schedule and record TV shows and Hulu) - hauppauge?
You just answer it your self... They have combo cards, 1 digital 1 analog tuners...
And looks like you're gonna need a big power supply... >500W I suggest...
ASKER
I was looking at WinTV-HVR-1800 MC Kit, any other better options other than this? So this card would let me watch a channel and record another simultaneously right?
I was thinking of Quad core because i will be running virtual machines on this box but I understand it will get noisy and hot!
And you recommend the G45? w/ Core2Duo E8500 maybe? This should be able to handle 1080p w/ no frame loss or delays right?
Any graphics card needed on top of this?
I was thinking of Quad core because i will be running virtual machines on this box but I understand it will get noisy and hot!
And you recommend the G45? w/ Core2Duo E8500 maybe? This should be able to handle 1080p w/ no frame loss or delays right?
Any graphics card needed on top of this?
About the record and watch... I just don't know... we use those products for production line, and they're mostly use for testing patterns... and trust me... they're on 24/7 and the problems are mostly the PC, not the winTVs...
nVidia cards are top notch... just check what type of card you must buy according to the mobo's PCIs...
http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3940038&CatId=1572
nVidia cards are top notch... just check what type of card you must buy according to the mobo's PCIs...
http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3940038&CatId=1572
I my self would probably go for a clean mobo with lots of PCIx slots, but today is hard to find one of those,
ASKER
Yes I agree but I want a mobo w/ DDR3 support (even though it won't make difference for HTPC but it will when running virtual machines). Also I will be recording HD tv so if i'm not using an external graphics card then this onboard mobo graphics should be able to handle 1080p at bluray bitrate.
What about nVidia Geforce chipsets?
What about nVidia Geforce chipsets?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
Create a free account to see this answer
Signing up is free and takes 30 seconds. No credit card required.
... you don't need DDR3 (won't hurt ... but definitely not necessary)
... and I don't recommend using integrated graphics. If you must, use a board with the nVidia 9400 (e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128363 ) => the Intel G45 series has some notable issues with HD/BluRay display. Plenty of warnings in the AVS forums. I built a system with the Intel G45 board (this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121355 ), but just use it as a spare system -- it had too many issues as an HTPC. The updated BIOS versions are somewhat better, but if I was going to use an IGP board, I'd used the Gigabyte 9400 board I just referred to.
... and I don't recommend using integrated graphics. If you must, use a board with the nVidia 9400 (e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128363 ) => the Intel G45 series has some notable issues with HD/BluRay display. Plenty of warnings in the AVS forums. I built a system with the Intel G45 board (this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121355 ), but just use it as a spare system -- it had too many issues as an HTPC. The updated BIOS versions are somewhat better, but if I was going to use an IGP board, I'd used the Gigabyte 9400 board I just referred to.
ASKER
Wow! Thanks Garycase! Yea seriously I don't know how to spell overkill! :-)
I think I will use exactly those hardware, but what would you suggest if I can splurge a little bit more on the MoBo and graphics card (but w/o a fan if thats possible)? Thanks once again, you are my savior!
I think I will use exactly those hardware, but what would you suggest if I can splurge a little bit more on the MoBo and graphics card (but w/o a fan if thats possible)? Thanks once again, you are my savior!
ASKER
One of the guys in newegg says HDCP is not enabled on this graphics card and can't play bluray, is that true?
I can think of no reason to use a higher-end motherboard; but if you one that uses DDR3, this should work well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128348
If you want a higher-end graphics card you might step up to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802
... or even this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830
... but remember that the higher-end the card, the more heat it generates; which means the fans will be running (and thus the HTPC will not be as quiet). If I wanted to upgrade to higher end graphics, I'd use the 4850 ... PLENTY of gaming power for most of us (certainly for those of us who aren't really "gamers")
If you want a higher-end graphics card you might step up to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802
... or even this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830
... but remember that the higher-end the card, the more heat it generates; which means the fans will be running (and thus the HTPC will not be as quiet). If I wanted to upgrade to higher end graphics, I'd use the 4850 ... PLENTY of gaming power for most of us (certainly for those of us who aren't really "gamers")
... the HD4550 plays BluRay just fine :-)
ASKER
Cool thanks much Garycase! I will get started on this project ASAP!! Can't wait to hook my 46" 1080p Aquos to this rig!!
ASKER
Is it ok to go w/ Gigabyte EP45T-UD3P mobo w/ DDR3 instead of Gigabyte EP45-UD3P w/ DDR2?
Sure ... it'll give you the slightly higher speed of DDR3 memory and is a very nice board.
ASKER
Thanks again. One last question before start going on a buying spree:
Will the Gigabyte 512MB HD4550 card be able to handle Vista Ultimate and 1080p decoding? Or should go for 1GB card (at the expense of $$ and noise).
Will the Gigabyte 512MB HD4550 card be able to handle Vista Ultimate and 1080p decoding? Or should go for 1GB card (at the expense of $$ and noise).
It works just fine for me :-)
If I was going to get a video card with a fan, I'd go ahead and get something with a bit more "oomph" so my grandkids could use the 65" screen for their games ... perhaps an HD 4670, or maybe even a 4850. But I'm quite happy with the 4550 [I have another PC the grandkids can use that has PLENTY of graphics "oomph" :-) ]
If I was going to get a video card with a fan, I'd go ahead and get something with a bit more "oomph" so my grandkids could use the 65" screen for their games ... perhaps an HD 4670, or maybe even a 4850. But I'm quite happy with the 4550 [I have another PC the grandkids can use that has PLENTY of graphics "oomph" :-) ]
ASKER
Ok, perfect. I'm going to use the same config but for the exception of the mobo, DDR3 RAM, LG BluRay burner. I'm assuming all the h/w (including Zalman CPU fan) will fit nicely inside this box w/ no issues (as you have already done it!).
Thanks once again Mr.Case, I will close this question out in a few awarding full points to you!
Thanks once again Mr.Case, I will close this question out in a few awarding full points to you!
Yes, the Zalman fits nicely -- I don't think there will be any issue with the other motherboard, but that's really the only possible complication (and from the picture I don't think it's an issue).
There is one thing you need to be very careful with => the two hard drives in the "center" compartment (when you get the case you'll know what I mean) have VERY little room to run the cables. I connected the cables and ran them through the other disk compartment, then back into the center. They DO fit, but it's a challenge to get them in and the cables connected. Once they're in, of course, it's no big deal -- there's good airflow with a very nicely designed bottom filter (simply pops out the front to clean). But I said a few choice words as I was mounting those drives :-) [If they simply made an access hole between the compartments where you could reach in and cable the drives it would be SO much easier.]
... don't misread that => it's a VERY nice case and I'd definitely use it again ... I just wish there was an extra 1/2 inch of clearance (or an access hole from the end compartment).
There is one thing you need to be very careful with => the two hard drives in the "center" compartment (when you get the case you'll know what I mean) have VERY little room to run the cables. I connected the cables and ran them through the other disk compartment, then back into the center. They DO fit, but it's a challenge to get them in and the cables connected. Once they're in, of course, it's no big deal -- there's good airflow with a very nicely designed bottom filter (simply pops out the front to clean). But I said a few choice words as I was mounting those drives :-) [If they simply made an access hole between the compartments where you could reach in and cable the drives it would be SO much easier.]
... don't misread that => it's a VERY nice case and I'd definitely use it again ... I just wish there was an extra 1/2 inch of clearance (or an access hole from the end compartment).
ASKER
Cool thanks for the heads up. I have ordered almost everything, but the antec case is hard to find, it's very expensive on amazon and out of stock in newegg! Now I'll have all the parts but won't have the case to put everything together! fun!
Just click the "auto-notify" on Newegg => they usually get things in stock within a few days.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23356538/Good-DVR-soution.html
Let me know if there is anything else you have a question about.