HTPC What Else Do I Need?

jedihobbit · Posted: Tue, 20 May 2008 13:10:57 Post Subject: HTPC What Else Do I Need?

I have some parts lying around and am considering convincing the wife we need a HTPC to replace the AVR we currently have. (Will need suggestions as to why the HTPC is necessary to replace a fairly new hardly used LiteOn LVW-5115GHC+!). What I need to look at is what I need to finish the system and figure cost. The following “specs” shows what I have and what I know I need, I sure there is some hardware needed that I don’t have a clue about (TV Tuner and the like??)

Case: SilverStone SG01-B Evolution
PSU: TBD Edit...How Big Is needed?
Mobo: Abit NF-M2 nView
CPU: AM2 4000+ Brisbane (NAA4G 0743GPPW)
GPU: On Board 6150
Sound: On Board
Memory: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (2 x 1024) or
OCZ OCZ2P800R22GK Rev2 (2 x 1024)
Optical Drive: TDB
HDD: Hitachi 7K250, HDT22525DLA380, 250GB
FDD: NONE
HFS: Zalman CNPS8000-CU
NB: Stock
SB: Stock
Case Cooling:
Side (HDD Bay) > 1 x 80mm intake fan (2050rpm, 21dBA)
Rear > 1 x 80mm exhaust fan (2050rpm, 21dBA)
Top > 1 x 80mm TBD
PSB > TBD
Software: TBD

So bring on your suggestions as to if what I have will work and the most important part the “what do I need”.

This will be mated with the following components (currently have in place with the AVR).

1. Mitsubishi LT-46131
2. Bose AV3-2-1 Media Center
3. Explorer 3250HD digital box (from Comcast)

Also would I need to come up with a 5.25 “display” of some sort?

treekodar · Posted: Tue, 20 May 2008 13:19:53 Post Subject:

Well, I know why you need a HTPC, because bigger is better you know!

jedihobbit · Posted: Tue, 20 May 2008 13:25:12 Post Subject:

**Jason** · Posted: Tue, 20 May 2008 14:02:59 Post Subject:

A good 500W PSU would probably be more than enough. I use an Enermax Liberty 500W in mine and it has some high end gear in it. Just look for quality and low noise... it isn't like they really sell small units any more.

On TV tuners, I am a bit out of the loop now myself. There have been a bunch of new cards released recently, but I don't know what to do. I'd like to get digital cable (and HD) into my HTPC... anything good for that? What do you want... Analog cable? Digital? Over the air HD?

Are you going to store media files elsewhere? 250GB might fill up quickly. Maybe get a second hard drive... I have my HTPC in RAID 0 for speed, but the files are all out on the network. Things only stay there when initially recorded.

jedihobbit · Posted: Tue, 20 May 2008 14:51:06 Post Subject:

Sadly I'm out in left field when comes to this type of unit.....

1. Signal is comcast cable digital (I think) with a HD box attached.
2. Right now looking at just using it like ye old VCR and "tape" TV shows/movies to watch later and then erase.
3. Will be setting up a file server (BluHaz reDux v2.0), but not sure what we'd want to keep, only have 2 x 400GB with a 74GB Raptor primary. If we do I could see "copying" to DVD.
4. Currently trying to track down a modular PSU in the 450W up range. Would love to find another Liberty as I currently am using a 400, 500, & 620.

Other than that I'm some what at a loss as to usage. Rolling Eyes

jedihobbit · Posted: Thu, 22 May 2008 18:56:19 Post Subject:

Still need some more part suggestions……..stuff I know I need

1. OS
2. TV Tuner? Not sure just “how much” I need on this. Right now running Comcast cable with an HD box
3. PSU**
4. Any IR stuff??
5. Optical Drive…I assume at a minimum it will need to have BluRay read abilities?
6. What else??

** This just got “solved” compliments of you know who! Just won one of these > Kingwin Absolute Power ABT-600CW and may replace the Enermax Liberty 500W in YsSMN with that going to the HTPC. Don’t think I need all of the blue LEDs lighting up a HTPC!

Also just had a thought……. do you think the 6150 GPU is enough or should I seriously consider something like Sapphire’s 34XX or 36XX series GPUs?