First-ever HTPC build w/links

[ryansebiz]

Here?s my first-ever HTPC build. I?ve been reading on the forums for a while gathering info to help me put all this together.

It will be used in the living room as my wife?s computer and our HTPC as connected to our Sony 42? KDF-E42A10 HDTV. I plan on connecting the HTPC to the TV with a DVI to HDMI cable & RCA connected to SPDIF.

I?ll use Beyond TV + Beyond Media (for the amazing DVD Library plugin) with XP Pro. I don?t want anything to do with MCE 2005 and their crappy pvr-ms format.

I?m trying to keep this HTPC as quiet as possible. It doesn?t have to be a silent PC, but the quieter the better. If anything?s going to be too loud let me know what I should get instead.

Questions I hope you can answer:

1. I?m planning to store a lot of media on this HTPC, so I want a 500GB hard drive. Is the Maxtor I picked out quiet enough, or is there a quieter drive?
2. I plan on using SPDIF passthrough to my home theatre receiver. Do I need to buy a cheap sound card for that or just use the mobo?s onboard connector connected to the case?s SPDIF jack?
3. Will the Zalman CNPS 7000 fit in my NMediaPC HTPC 200BA case?
4. Does the power supply need to specifically be a MicroATX PSU, or will a regular one fit in the case?
5. Do I need a floppy disk drive? The only reason would be to load the drivers by pressing F6 during the XP install. Or is this only needed for RAID?

Your input is appreciated!

Motherboard: MSI K8NGM2-FID $80 (Does anyone have these in stock?)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...jsp?ProductCode=241193&affiliate=yahoo

CPU: AMD64 X2 3800+ Manchester $295
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-1

CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000 $35 (It will fit, right?)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373037

Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax 11 500GB $300
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=100724

RAM: Corsair Value Select 2GB (2x1GB) $140
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-86

HDTV Tuner: Dvico Fusion 5 Lite $100 (bundled with HDTV antenna)
http://store.snapstream.com/fusionhdtv-lite.html

Sound card: (Should I buy one, or just use onboard or audio bracket?)

DVD-Burner: Liteon SHM-165P6S $53 (Half-height)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=170684

Floppy Disk Drive: $13 Only for the F6 drivers (Do I need this?)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=110601

Power Supply: Antec TruePowerII 380W $60 (Is this quiet enough?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103927

Case: NMediaPC HTPC 200BA $130 (ATX PSU sold separately)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811204004

Total cost: $1200

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[imported_ST]

1. I've always liked my Hitachi Desktar 500gbs. They are fairly quiet (see reviews on silentpcreview.com and storagereview.com.). The best part is the seek noise can be muted manually via the drive tools, so you can have as quiet as you want it!

2. pass through is fine. I used the spidf for my reciever as well with no issues.

3. Why the NMedia case? Sorry but i despise HTPC case that doesn't have at least dual 80mm exhaust fans like the Silverstone LC17 case. The larger the fans, the lower the noise AND the more heat it can move around. With the LC17, you'll also be able to fit in a 7700 Zalman with the 120mm fans and have really low noise.

4. it says atx psu, so i assume so.

5. You don't need a floppy drive if you're doing RAID.


I'd suggest the following, if you're okay with the size:

- Silverstone LC17 case
- Asus 6150 mobo
- AMD Opteron 165 (good OCers)
- Zalman 7700
- Hitach 500g HDD
- Fusion 5 HDTV tuner
- Seasonice 430 PS

Go to http://www.pcalchemy.com as a great starting place.

 

[ryansebiz]

Originally posted by: ST
1. I've always liked my Hitachi Desktar 500gbs. They are fairly quiet (see reviews on silentpcreview.com and storagereview.com.). The best part is the seek noise can be muted manually via the drive tools, so you can have as quiet as you want it!

2. pass through is fine. I used the spidf for my reciever as well with no issues.

3. Why the NMedia case? Sorry but i despise HTPC case that doesn't have at least dual 80mm exhaust fans like the Silverstone LC17 case. The larger the fans, the lower the noise AND the more heat it can move around. With the LC17, you'll also be able to fit in a 7700 Zalman with the 120mm fans and have really low noise.

4. it says atx psu, so i assume so.

5. You don't need a floppy drive if you're doing RAID.


I'd suggest the following, if you're okay with the size:

- Silverstone LC17 case
- Asus 6150 mobo
- AMD Opteron 165 (good OCers)
- Zalman 7700
- Hitach 500g HDD
- Fusion 5 HDTV tuner
- Seasonice 430 PS

Go to http://www.pcalchemy.com as a great starting place.

Thanks for your reply.

I looked into the Silverstone LC17 cases and they're very nice. The only thing I don't like is that it lacks the built-in SPDIF on the back port the NMedia case has. I've looked all over for an audio bracket for this purpose and can't find one. Should I just go with the LC17 and buy a Chaintech sound card?

If I get the LC17 would I need to buy the 120mm fans?

Why the Asus 6150? I've heard great things about the MSI board. Just curious.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

By the way, in your sig it says:

"500GB x4 RAID 0"

Nice!

 

[flashbacck]

No video card?

I don't think you need a separate sound card, unless you're a big audiophile and think the onboard sound quality will bug you.