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Best hardware for htpc?

C

cpals

Diamond Member
Okay, this isn't a typical HTPC question, so don't flame please! 😀

What hardware would be good to buy to use for a HTPC that would be strictly use as a streaming machine. The computer would be hooked up on my network using SageTV client and connecting to my main computer in my room running SageTV server and hooked up to the TV tuner, etc...

So I would think pretty much the main requirements for the computer would be a small case (wouldn't really even need a CD drive or anything since it's all being streamed on the network - hook up a USB one if necessary), good s-video out to the TV to transmit the SageTV program and probably a reasonable cpu/ram. Hard drive, etc is not an issue since nothing would be stored on it except for the OS and SageTV client.
 
If you want to use an ultra-low profile case, you have to figure out how many expansion slots you need first, and whether or not you can use low-profile cards.

If you can use low-profile cards, you can get an Ahanix MCE301/302.. Those cases are very nicely styled.

If you need just 1 PCI and 1 AGP slot, you can go Silverstone LC02/LC04. You will need an A-position motherboard though (AGP slot lined up with the central motherboard mount screwhole).

If you need 2 PCI and 1 AGP slot, you can go Silverstone LC11 (requires an A-position microATX motherboard).

HTH.
 
Well, if there is a good mobo that has onboard s-video, ethernet, sound then I probably wouldn't need to use any slots...
 
The MSI RS480M2-IL has all those things... It also has the most powerful on-board video of any of the microATX boards out there, which might not be saying much because it performs only as good as an X300LE. Might be worth a look though.

Pair that up with a Silverstone LC11 and you should be good to go (add a PCI-Express 16X 2U riser and you should be able to use a full-featured PCIe graphics card with this combo).

HTH.
 
It looks like that Silverstone case can handle some extra cards, so I wouldn't be against buying separate parts for the system. I was just thinking since it's mainly being used as a streaming system that the specs wouldn't have to be as high as one that is recording and everything. I just want something with good s-video out and will stream audio/video smoothly.
 
I think the MSI RS480/Silverstone LC11 combo should work well for your purposes. Head on over to HTPC News and post on their forums-- They got plenty of guys who has experience with that setup there who should be able to confirm that.

HTH!
 
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