Best CPU/Mobo/RAM/PSU/Video Card for an HTPC Build?
Trying to build an HTPC that can playback HD / Blu-Ray videos. It will NOT be used for games.
I only need the following:
CPU - Possibly with a silent aftermarket fan
Motherboard
Video Card - How much graphics power do I need?
Ram - How much do I need?
PSU - How much power do I need?
I already have a mid tower case that will be used.
The biggest concern is cost, trying to keep it as cheap as possible. But silence is also very important.
I have no idea where to look for the best components for the above list, please help!
:thumbsup:
current system for 1080p
foxconn p35a
e6550 undervolted @ stock speed (2.3)
6 gb ddr2 (over kill but this was ram I had layin around)
ati 3450 256mb (no gaming)
1tb wd10eads
vista hp 64
my old set up for 720p
aopen 855gme
pentium m 1.7 dothan
2gb ddr ram
geforce 6600 (agp)
320gb hd
xp mce
Well my HTPC may be dying. (I'm getting some weird boot up error beeps that seem to indicate dying powersupply or mobo) so I was thinking about what I would buy today if I had to.
I currently run an AMD setup. I think to save money I would go with a just a new mobo.
to that end I would get an nvidia 8300 based mobo like the ASUS M3N78-EM.
My only complaint about my current 780G motherboard is that the northbridge runs hot and I need a little extra cooling to keep it stable. this means a little more noise. I don't know how the 785G chipsets run. but I like to try things new so that is why the switch to nvidia.
also if I was starting from scratch I would go Intel CPU and nvidia mobo.
Intel for the video transcoding performance. I'm doing a lot more converting to H.264 lately and would like to speed things up.
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take care,
Seth
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12
Registered Sleep tech (RPSGT #8067)
I work in a sleep lab feel free to ask me any sleep questions you may have, I'll try to help.
I got a Gigabyte 785g / Sempron 140 combo with which I'm really impressed. The Sempy unlocked to an AthlonII and overclocks like a champ. Captures and records OTA HD (4Mb stream) at 960MHz, 0.9v and 27% CPU utilization --- not sure about your BluRay but I'm sure it can handle it (even if it doesn't unlock)
The question is ... How are you going to handle your audio?
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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because NeoCon patriots stand ready to violate the constitution and do violence on your behalf"
Good for an idea of a baseline system, and definitely good for accessories, but it's actual CPU recommendations need to be updated. ...I'm sure there's more up to date info available if you read the last several hundred messages in the 10,000+ posted to that thread
Best CPU/Mobo/RAM/PSU/Video Card for an HTPC Build?
