Critique this HTPC

[otispunkmeyer]

right, been toying with the idea of dumping PC gaming for a while, and because of that i no longer have use for the machine in my sig

im looking to sell all of that but keep the speakers, mouse, keyboard initially.

im throwing ideas round for what i want, and a laptop has popped into my head a few times, but i keep gettin put off on upgradability and storage. next idea was to build a HTPC since i like listening to music, doing photos and movies, watching films etc etc

so i quickl priced this up and would like some feedback. (i wont be actually be able to do anything untill our easter break since i cant afford to be without a computer even for a day whilst at uni)

*im not sure on the monitor, i just picked it quick, but i want at least 20.1inch and widescreen.

*the TV tuner is a PCI-e x1 job with dual tuners and DVB-T...not sure on the make or even if its got a remote.

*i know i want dual core so i can chug out those 1080p vids

*do i need more than a gig of ram for a HTPC?

* i chose an ATI x1300 passively cooled....for the AVIVO stuff mainly since i believe its better than Nvidias Pure Video.

EDIT : please add a copy of windows MCE
EDIT2: because blain complained here is a list of links to the selected parts. and dont blame me if you have to scroll to find them, this site does not work like regular sites.

CPU:Athlon 64 X2 3800+ OEM
RAM:GeIL 1GB DDR400 Value RAM
MOBO:Gigabyte K8NMF-9 NF4 mATX
HDD:Samsung SpinPoint P SP2504C 250GB SATA-II
CASE:Silverstone Sugo SG01 Black.
PSU:Enermax Liberty 400watt
OS:Windows XP MCE 2005
MONITOR:NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 20.1" Widescreen LCD
TV CARD:Terratec Cinergy 2400i DVB-T TV Tuner
VIDEO CARD:Sapphire X1300 256mb DDR2 AVIVO
SOUND CARD:Creative X-Fi Music
CPU COOLER: Zalman CNPS7700 Cu
DVD: some sony DVD-RW combo
MCE remote

i think thats it............happy now Blain?

 

[otispunkmeyer]

c'mon

 

[coolred]

I like the 3800+, I have one in my machine. I went with the Asus V8N-VM CSM. The video and optical out are extra add ons which sucks, but its onboard video is capable of pushing HD content, although it is nvidia based, which you said you feel ATI is better(I'm not disagreeing with you, I have no idea either way). I have 1GB in my machine, it works and would get you by but more is always better. The HSF is nice, samsung drives are good, I have a couple myself. I have no opinion on th eother stuff as I don't know much about some of it, but it looks good.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: coolred
I like the 3800+, I have one in my machine. I went with the Asus V8N-VM CSM. The video and optical out are extra add ons which sucks, but its onboard video is capable of pushing HD content, although it is nvidia based, which you said you feel ATI is better(I'm not disagreeing with you, I have no idea either way). I have 1GB in my machine, it works and would get you by but more is always better. The HSF is nice, samsung drives are good, I have a couple myself. I have no opinion on th eother stuff as I don't know much about some of it, but it looks good.

well i havent really researched proper yet, i just recall a review which i think was possibly this site which tested ATI's AVIVO againsts purevideo and ATI came out on top but ill swing either way not really bothered so long as its silent. not really a fan of onboard video mind.

2gb is cheap enough, might as well go with 2gig no harm in it.

yeah the samsung drives rock, ive got 2 and they are whisper quiet....love them.

come on guys....just coz im not building a 15k HT doesnt mean i cant get no love

more opinion STAT!

 

[foodfightr]

Dual core is nice, it is a must if you'll be encoding video often...

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: foodfightr
Dual core is nice, it is a must if you'll be encoding video often...

that i do.....divx mainly

 

[pkme2]

You really did a complete research on your components and whoever you're getting your hardware from is equal to or better than your eBay.uk.
I do recommend 2GB in 1GB sticks though, and up your PSU to Enermax 530W, for future expansion. Otherwise, you're got the right stuff.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: pkme2
You really did a complete research on your components and whoever you're getting your hardware from is equal to or better than your eBay.uk.
I do recommend 2GB in 1GB sticks though, and up your PSU to Enermax 530W, for future expansion. Otherwise, you're got the right stuff.

i havent done any research lol, thankfully i do know what im talking about so i knew pretty much what to pick right off the bat

the monitor definately needs a re-think, as i want a good solid monitor thats big enough to comfortably watch from about 2-3 meters, and provide a good viewing experience. i think that NEC one has like a sony xbrite type coating which is neat.

probably dont need an X-FI sound card, but meh i think it will be nice to have, and i could probably make use of alot of its features (like to play vinyls)

yeah im defo gonna plug for 2 gigs, theres no reason to have less really, the stuff is soo cheap. ill have a think about the PSU...i have a 500watt seasonic S12 right now and its holding up just fine with a much more power hungry system (see sig)

what i really need now is

*input on the monitor (though this will probably go down better in Video)
*input on that TV card. dual tuners on one card is certainly a good idea, and one id like to keep to.

 

[Blain]

How dare you show us a screen shot of a list of parts, and not even bother to have them in this thread...
:thumbsdown:

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: Blain
How dare you show us a screen shot of a list of parts, and not even bother to have them in this thread...
:thumbsdown:

what do u want links to each? thats hard to do with the website im buying from. they dont have one page for one product. they have 1 page for that particular group of products.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer

Originally posted by: Blain
How dare you show us a screen shot of a list of parts, and not even bother to have them in this thread...
:thumbsdown:

what do u want links to each? thats hard to do with the website im buying from. they dont have one page for one product. they have 1 page for that particular group of products.

No links, just a simple listing of parts.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer

Originally posted by: Blain
How dare you show us a screen shot of a list of parts, and not even bother to have them in this thread...
:thumbsdown:

what do u want links to each? thats hard to do with the website im buying from. they dont have one page for one product. they have 1 page for that particular group of products.

No links, just a simple listing of parts.

fixed for you !

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
fixed for you !

I like the Silverstone SG01 :thumbsup:
The Spinpoint 250GB is a good choice :thumbsup:
The X2 is overkill
2GB of DDR is also over the top
What's not to love about Gigabyte MBs
Oops, I forgot... I have a fondness for LG burners

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
fixed for you !

I like the Silverstone SG01 :thumbsup:
The Spinpoint 250GB is a good choice :thumbsup:
The X2 is overkill
2GB of DDR is also over the top
What's not to love about Gigabyte MBs

this isnt going to happen for a few weeks, need to go back home first. love the samsungs, was always gonna be the 1st choice

yeah im dropping back to 1gig.......and then gonna buy the MCE remote instead. i thinking wether i really need the X-Fi as well. could probs get away with a Audigy 4 OEM for £38

i dont think the X2 is overkill. it will come in usefull. im always encoding MP3, and i do alot of DIVX stuff so i can make use of it.

i just found that monitor kicks some right ass too....definately gonna try stick with it. a guy in the widescreengaming forums bought one and he cant shut up raving about it. he went from a diamond pro CRT to this LCD was astounded.....sounds perfect.

 

[foodfightr]

X2 is NOT overkill for HTPC

you might want to use an extender at one point... dual core rocks here!
you definately want to encode / decode video........ advantage: dual core

 

[otispunkmeyer]

teh bumpity

 

[otispunkmeyer]

c'mon more of teh input.....