Building a Media Center PC

[BigRick66]

:wine:I've been doing a fair amount of research on what components would be ideal for building a media center PC, but I'm still unsure. I don't want to wait around for things to load, but I also don't want it to be overkill. Here's what I do want:

Conservative power consumption
Runs cool (I don't want a second heater in the room)
Quiet
1080p video output (will have a Blu-Ray drive, also HD movies on hard drive)
Able to deliver 1080p with being overtaxed
Solid audio output (HTPC -> Onkyo Receiver -> Bose Acoustimass 5)

I want this unit to perform, but I don't think it really needs to be bleeding edge. It won't be used for gaming, just movies and music and such. What components should I purchase for this build? What components will have the best performance:cost ratio?

Thank you for your help.

 

[heyheybooboo]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

 

[BigRick66]

This PC will be used for playing movies from the Blu-Ray drive and from the hard drive. I do not have cable TV and will not be recording TV shows. Just playing existing movies and music. I also do not plan on overclocking this unit. It will run at default speeds

I'm looking to spend less than $800 but can go higher if necessary to get the desired performance. I'm looking to get all new parts and will be purchasing them using US Dollars right here in the good old USA.

I do not have a brand preference.

I have searched many threads on this issue, but most of them are pretty dated. I need more current recommendations. I will be building this machine in two months.

-------------------------
"If there weren't 'NeoCons' to defend your lethargic, apathetic existence, you would be either worshipping Allah or lying in a mass grave, beheaded.?

 

[imported_wired247]

Something like this for the CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116072
you may even be able to undervolt/underclock it a bit to reduce heat.

great mobo at a great price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131329

Something like this for the video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150335
(Fanless, for best reliability and silent operation)

Something like this, DVI->HDMI cable ...
http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=2505&seq=1&format=2

Something like this, for good HDD performance and good $/GB ratio (just get as many as you need)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218

Sound card: your choice of Creative X-Fi cards that fits your desired accessories/budget

RAM: cheap 2x2GB DDR2-800 (LOW VOLTAGE... ~1.8V) will work fine... or save yourself a few bucks and get DDR2-667 because you won't notice a difference.

PSU: (just got one of these setup for a Q9550, it works great, certified for corei7, it's a corsair... and it's a good deal, and 400W is more than enough for this build)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139008

Case: get any case you like with 1x120mm fan intake and 1x120mm fan exhaust, then either get a fan controller, or simply purchase low noise, fluid dynamic bearing fans. this setup will ensure low noise with adequate airflow

 

[heyheybooboo]

SILVERSTONE Black LASCALA ATX Media Center / HTPC Case: $132

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W Power Supply: $60 AR
(promo code EMCLNMP32)

LG Black 6X Blu-ray DVD-ROM: $115

AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 45W: $51
(promo code EMCLNMP36)

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H AMD 780G HDMI mATX: $88

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800: $45


Total: $491

PowerDVD Ultra software update for the LG GGC-H20L

I don't know about the bundled Cyberlink package but here is the OEM upgrade page.

The Realtek ALC889A audio is good stuff - wouldn't waste $$$ on a sound card until you have checked it out. I don't have a problem with AC3 via digital optical/coax out and really don't have a preference over analog multichannel PCM to my receiver (which I have also used).

The ATI Radeon HD 3200 IGP will significantly off-load cpu utilization during Bluray playback. At idle the system will consume around 40-45w - - - during Bluray playback 70-75w. I don't have a problem with the fans (noise) on my Silverstone case but I've heard others whine about them. If it's a problem for you go ahead and switch 'em out.

The hard drive(s) are up to you - a small 2.5" drive would be most quiet (media could be stored on a separate rig and streamed across your network). If you want a big quiet drive check this out.


Do you have a preference for your OS? What about TV tuners?

 

[BigRick66]

I plan on using some type of Linux distro, although I'm not sure which yet. I haven't gotten to that phase of research yet. Currently, for my HTPC, I'm running Xubuntu on a 2001 Compaq. Not the greatest system, but it chuggs along.

I noticed the AMD chip is 65nm. It's my understanding that the 45nm chips are more efficient. If they consume less power and run cooler, I might opt to spend a little more on a 45nm processor. That being said, I noticed the Thermal Power on the AMD chip is listed as 45W, whereas the Intel chip Wired247 recommended is 65W. Maybe I don't know what Thermal Power is.

 

[imported_wired247]

I'm not an AMD expert, I'm just an intel guy so I buy and recommend intel. the wattage rating of the CPU is the worst case scenario, maximum power that you could expect the CPU to draw from the PSU. However, the actual power usage could be quite a bit different.

chances are, no matter what you do this rig will use around 100W (plus or minus some percentage of that) at all times, although undervolting and underclocking would reduce power consumption.

I wouldn't go by the TDP ratings of the cpu to determine how much it will use in a real life situation.

but what you should be realizing is that a rig for this purpose should not cost you that much money... and just about any modern equipment would be enough power for this purpose. hell, look at the appleTV, running on a 1ghz processor and 256mb of ram. practically no matter what you do will be overkill, just make sure you have the right kind of videocard to support HD content and all the connectors you need. (keeping in mind, DVI -> HDMI is the same quality as HDMI->HDMI)

 

[BigRick66]

Thanks for the tips. This is some good stuff. I think I have some pretty good information to use when I put this thing together.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: grassman20
I plan on using some type of Linux distro, although I'm not sure which yet. I haven't gotten to that phase of research yet. Currently, for my HTPC, I'm running Xubuntu on a 2001 Compaq. Not the greatest system, but it chuggs along.

I noticed the AMD chip is 65nm. It's my understanding that the 45nm chips are more efficient. If they consume less power and run cooler, I might opt to spend a little more on a 45nm processor. That being said, I noticed the Thermal Power on the AMD chip is listed as 45W, whereas the Intel chip Wired247 recommended is 65W. Maybe I don't know what Thermal Power is.

The 'e' in the X2 4850e is for energy efficient - it's just a cpu binned for greater efficiency. The wattage #s above were pretty consistent across reviews - check Silent PC and Toms. At max load rigs were pulling 110w - 130w with an HD3450 discreet card in hybrid. Figuring 10w per hard drive you could drop the overall PSU wattage substantially and still be in a safe zone.

You can get Bluray to boogie on a *nix but but I don't believe there is currently an open source BD player that legitimately functions with AACS DRM.

 

[Bulldog13]

http://arstechnica.com/hardwar.../guide-200812-htpc.ars