Basic HTPC(for DVDs) component review and questions

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Isocene

Senior member
Jan 4, 2001
694
0
71
I've been reading over HTPC forums for a week now and have flip flopped back and forth over what components to choose to build my first HTPC.

What I want out of my HTPC:
1. Store and play back DVDs
2. Play downloaded video encoded in x264
3. Display to my plasma through DVI-HDMI cable(no DVI or VGA input)

My TV Panasonic 50" Plasma 50PX50U (cnet link)

I have an Xbox 360 with the HD-DVD player and I'm happy with that. I see many posts about video cards that can do HDCP but I really don't understand what that means. I do not intend to play any HD-DVD or bluray media on this config. With those simple requirements, I'm looking for the hardware I need to store and play DVDs with good picture quality. I'm coming from using a 4 year old regular sony dvd player.

I've read good things about the Silent Gigabyte 7600GT(newegg) and I'm wondering if that's the video card I should use in the LC20 or GD01 case I plan on getting to keep it quiet.

Components I plan on getting(all linked to newegg):

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
CPU: Core 2 Duo E6400
RAM: Corsair 1GB DDR2 800
Video Card: Gigabyte Geforce 7600GT Silent
Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-520HX
DVD-ROM: Samsung IDE 18X
HD(for OS): Seagate Barracude 80GB 7200.9
HD(for media): Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10 x2
Fans: Zalman 80mm x2

Case(not sure which is best): Silverstone LC20 or GD01MX

This will total out to somewhere around $1150 shipped. I think this should definitely last me for a good while as far as HTPC is concerned. With the mobo I could add a faster CPU down the road if necessary it seems.

I gathered this from looking around the forum the past week and reading tons of reviews. However, I'm sure there is something I missed so please suggest away! One thing I'm not sure about are the fans and the DVD drive, I don't know if these are the best to get.

Lastly, here is a pic of my current setup if it helps at all:

Setup

Any advice would be much appreciated!
 
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Isocene

Senior member
Jan 4, 2001
694
0
71
I don't want to play back the actual HD media, but when its been re-encoded to x264
 
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Zolty

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2005
3,603
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0
Standard res my 3800 handles h.264 with no difficulties, I even play h.264 video at 720p with no noticeable frame loss.
 
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olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
I am using 6600 and 1950 Pro 512MB (same 965p chipset and same 7200.10 320GB no RAID, 3GB 1066) trough DVI to HDMI ? plays 1080p okay, but still can see one-two slowdowns (horizontal lines for a split second) during a whole movie duration. So if you want to run on air quietly (which is a must unless your pc in another room) and have 1080p proof setup ? get better CPU/GPU. I use Accelero 2 and only two 120mm Nexus fans (replaced original 120mm PSU fan) ? still fun hum/hdd noise is noticeable during quiet scenes.
 
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Isocene

Senior member
Jan 4, 2001
694
0
71
What are you playing that displays at 1080p?

My TV only displays up to 720p/1080i.
 
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olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
Not much to be frank ? media staff is too heavy without getting ridiculously priced opticals. Have Sharp 46? xd1E with 1:1 pixel mapping and wanted to have as future proof system as possible. I play games on it mostly. Few 720p dvds i can find. 1080i should be fine on a system you suggest (you can always oc 6400) but 7600 is not very good b4b ? if you use Accelero/buy pre-fitted on 1950pro ? you?ll get much better value for money for only 20% price difference.
 
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Isocene

Senior member
Jan 4, 2001
694
0
71
Yeah like I said, for HD DVD content I would rather use my xbox.

I don't know what the benefit is to have a good video card for regular DVDs.

For gaming, I'm wondering if sitting 10 ft away from a 50" plasma will be too far to read text. Maybe the only thing I could play would be FSPs like counterstrike or something.
 
AnitaPeterson

AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,005
517
126
OVERKILL!

Seriously... you tell me you want all that computing power for playback purposes, not recording or encoding?
A Core Duo? A 7600GT?
 
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