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How do you build an HTPC?

MrMatt

MrMatt

Banned
What are some components of an HTPC, and how is it different from building any other rig? Thanks!
 
It's really no different than any other PC, it's just that the focus is more on keeping size and noise low while retaining the features that you are after.
 
MrPickins said:
It's really no different than any other PC, it's just that the focus is more on keeping size and noise low while retaining the features that you are after.
Click to expand...

what are some ways of keeping the noise down though? Because every computer I've ever built sounds like a 747 taking off, and I can't figure out why
 
MrMatt said:
what are some ways of keeping the noise down though? Because every computer I've ever built sounds like a 747 taking off, and I can't figure out why
Click to expand...

Well there's quite a few ways to go about it. I've been using an HTPC for almost 3 years now.

I think the most important thing is to have a passively cooled video card. If you're not gaming, you don't need a ton of power. So choose a card that just has the power you need to accelerate video, and make sure it has a large, passive heat sink on it.

I use a standard size ATX case, so I have large case fans that can push a lot of air, but are still quiet. There is a compromise between having a small, aesthetically pleasing case, but may have smaller fans that are louder to push the required air. Or having a large, full-size case that uses larger, quieter fans to get the job done.

All the energy conservation stuff that people here disable for overclocking, you want to leave on. Make sure that you leave Speedstep or Cool'nQuiet enabled, have the BIOS control the fanspeed based on temperature and set the preference for silent mode, etc.

Choose a conservative wattage CPU. It doesn't have to be extreme (like Atom), I use a 65W 5400+ Brisbane in mine. I also use the stock CPU cooler, and I find it perfectly quiet for my needs. However, some people choose to go with big coolers with big, quiet fans for even better silent operation.

The most important thing is to decide what you want to use your HTPC for and go from there. I use mine to record cable TV via QAM and firewire recording from the cable box, and some online streaming. I used to also use it for gaming, blu-ray, DVD, and Netflix, buy my new PS3 as taken over those roles.
 
I'll make this easy on you, get a 785G mobo w/ HDMI and a low voltage tri/quad phenom II processor. (<$150) Stick it into a case (get microATX if you want something a little sexier than regular compucase ($25-$200)). Buy a TV tuner (I purchased the ATI 650 PCI on woot for $15) and install Windows7 w/ Media Center for TV DVR. Download boxee for streaming media. DO NOT buy a video card, DO buy a few high capacity drives. DO pick up a WMC remote ($20) or logitech harmony ($200)

The end.
 
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weeber said:
Well there's quite a few ways to go about it. I've been using an HTPC for almost 3 years now.

I think the most important thing is to have a passively cooled video card. If you're not gaming, you don't need a ton of power. So choose a card that just has the power you need to accelerate video, and make sure it has a large, passive heat sink on it.

I use a standard size ATX case, so I have large case fans that can push a lot of air, but are still quiet. There is a compromise between having a small, aesthetically pleasing case, but may have smaller fans that are louder to push the required air. Or having a large, full-size case that uses larger, quieter fans to get the job done.

All the energy conservation stuff that people here disable for overclocking, you want to leave on. Make sure that you leave Speedstep or Cool'nQuiet enabled, have the BIOS control the fanspeed based on temperature and set the preference for silent mode, etc.

Choose a conservative wattage CPU. It doesn't have to be extreme (like Atom), I use a 65W 5400+ Brisbane in mine. I also use the stock CPU cooler, and I find it perfectly quiet for my needs. However, some people choose to go with big coolers with big, quiet fans for even better silent operation.

The most important thing is to decide what you want to use your HTPC for and go from there. I use mine to record cable TV via QAM and firewire recording from the cable box, and some online streaming. I used to also use it for gaming, blu-ray, DVD, and Netflix, buy my new PS3 as taken over those roles.
Click to expand...


Great Post! Thanks..if you're familiar with Asus...is Q-Fan their version of fanspeed control (in addition to Cool n Quiet)
 
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question: what does the 785 stand for? I didn't realize the numbers were across brands (I have an Asus 790x for instance..didn't realize other makers had their own version of 790s,etc. )
 
Alienwho said:
I'll make this easy on you, get a 785G mobo w/ HDMI and a low voltage tri/quad phenom II processor. (<$150) Stick it into a case (get microATX if you want something a little sexier than regular compucase ($25-$200)). Buy a TV tuner (I purchased the ATI 650 PCI on woot for $15) and install Windows7 w/ Media Center for TV DVR. Download boxee for streaming media. DO NOT buy a video card, DO buy a few high capacity drives. DO pick up a WMC remote ($20) or logitech harmony ($200)

The end.
Click to expand...

Good point about integrated video. When I built mine, it wasn't really a good option (plus I wanted to game some). But nowadays, there's no reason to not at least start with integrated video.

Also, I've read great things about Windows 7 Media Center, so that's probably the best way to go now. I personally use SageTV, but I've been using that since 2005, so it's what I'm used to, and I haven't had a compelling reason to change.
 
MrMatt said:
question: what does the 785 stand for? I didn't realize the numbers were across brands (I have an Asus 790x for instance..didn't realize other makers had their own version of 790s,etc. )
Click to expand...

Short answer, it doesn't really stand for anything, it's just a designation.

Long answer, the AMD 785G is a chipset for AMD's socket AM3 platform. ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock, etc. then make motherboards which include this chipset.

Many of the core (memory support, integrated GPU, number of USB and SATA ports, etc.) features of the motherboard are determined by the chipset, and the motherboard vendors are generally just assembling and integrating these components. Mobo manufacturers try to differentiate themselves with various features such as BIOS design, quality of electrical components, board layout, extra chips to support Firewire, and so on.
 
weeber said:
Good point about integrated video. When I built mine, it wasn't really a good option (plus I wanted to game some). But nowadays, there's no reason to not at least start with integrated video.

Also, I've read great things about Windows 7 Media Center, so that's probably the best way to go now. I personally use SageTV, but I've been using that since 2005, so it's what I'm used to, and I haven't had a compelling reason to change.
Click to expand...
Yeah the Jet engine he referred to earlier was most likely the video card.

You would likely be blown away by WMC 7. It just works, and it's amazing. I love watching OTA TV on my HTPC because like TIVO I can easily stop/play/rewind/record with the touch of a button on the remote. Additionally it's beautiful to navigate all the shows that are currently playing and schedule recordings for later.

OP, 785 is the chipset. It means any 785G mobo you get will have integrated video, pretty decent video at that. I play torchlight on mine at 1080p and it runs great. I wouldn't try much more than that though.

You could easily put together a pretty sweet little HTPC box that will do everything for about $300. My wife wasn't too keen on the HTPC idea, but now that I did it and set it up so it is so easy to use, she loves it more than me.
 
I'm sure that tuner is good. One thing you need to be aware of is if you are planning on connecting this to cable/satelite/or just OTA. I only use mine for OTA so I can't comment on anything else.

This http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-020-_-Product is the tuner that I have. A lot of those people are talking trash on it, but mine works flawless in Windows 7 with a very strong OTA signal. Newegg's deal is currently supplying it with a remote as well. When I bought it off of woot for $15 I only did it because I wanted to experiment even though I thought it was going to be a piece of crap. Well it's not a piece of crap and works great. I've seen some deals at Fry's and Microcenter for this same card for about $20, so if you look around you may be able to find a deal. I wish I would have bought a couple more.

If you want to cheap out on ram you can probably get by with 2 gigs and then upgrade if you feel like you need to.

I currently have 2TB in my HTPC but I will soon be purchasing 2 or 3 1.5TB drives. But I record a lot and I am pretty much always downing something from newsgroups. 2 TB will be fine to start with.
 
MrMatt said:
Thanks for all the replies, is this Hauppauge tuner card any good? So far it's the most expensive part. Also is 2 TB enough HD space?


also is RAM that important?
Click to expand...

Hauppauge makes pretty good stuff. I've got an older -250 and -1600 model that still work fine. Are you planning on using Win7 Media Center. Just make sure the card is compatible with whatever software you want to use.

Also, I don't think you've told us what you plan on using the computer for. What are you going to record: over-the-air (OTA) or cable? There's some in's and out's to recording cable depending on your provider, that I won't get into now, but it's important to know what your getting into. You're not trying to record satellite programming are you? That's a whole other ball game.

I think you'll be good with 2TB of storage. Heck, I still get my with my 700GB of storage.
 
MrMatt said:
OK, so here's what I have so far (I'll get the remote if I buy after that deal ends to get the free one with the tuner card):

Mobo: ASUS 785G 94.99

CPU: Phenom II X3 705e 119.00

Hdd: Samsung Spinpoint 2TB 179.99

Memory: Corsair 2GB 54.99

Case: Rosewill Slimline MicroATX 49.99

question: What do 'low profile' expansion slots' mean??

Tuner: Diamond ATI 650 HD 69.99

Controller: Rosewill 19.99


Total: 588.94
Click to expand...

Low-profile expansion slots means you need to get low-profile cards. Standard size cards will not fit in the case. For example, the HVR-1850 tuner is a full-size card and wouldn't fit. I think you that Diamond card is too tall too, that bracket is going to be a problem. This is another reason I went full size ATX for my build, I didn't want to limit my expansion choices because of the case.

Do a search on Newegg for low-profile cards
 
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weeber said:
Hauppauge makes pretty good stuff. I've got an older -250 and -1600 model that still work fine. Are you planning on using Win7 Media Center. Just make sure the card is compatible with whatever software you want to use.

Also, I don't think you've told us what you plan on using the computer for. What are you going to record: over-the-air (OTA) or cable? There's some in's and out's to recording cable depending on your provider, that I won't get into now, but it's important to know what your getting into. You're not trying to record satellite programming are you? That's a whole other ball game.

I think you'll be good with 2TB of storage. Heck, I still get my with my 700GB of storage.
Click to expand...

I'd be recording both; I live near downtown Boston so there's plenty of OTA HD. I have comcast for cable. I'll be using win7 Media Center, yes.
 
I put my HTPC in a Sonata III that comes with a 500W PSU and it looks darn slick. The sonata III is beautiful and easy to work in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nata&#37;20III

I got it for like $45 on a deal about 9 or 10 months ago.

My HTPC has been a work in progress over the past year because I've only purchased parts when I found really good deals. It's been a slow process but I'm finished now and I seriously put the entire thing together for under $300.
 
Something like this would likely work for you. It's the ATI 600PCI-E tuner. Only $30

http://www.buy.com/prod/diamond-ati-...213912883.html

This is the other card that was for sale during the woot sale. A lot of people chose this, and a lot of others chose the 650. I'm not really sure what the difference is between the 600 and the 650, but I'm sure you can find information on it.

Go through the woot blog here and see if you can figure out the differences between the 600 and the 650 to see if it will work for you.

http://www.woot.com/blog/viewentry.aspx?id=10694
 
Alienwho said:
Something like this would likely work for you. It's the ATI 600PCI-E tuner. Only $30

http://www.buy.com/prod/diamond-ati-...213912883.html

This is the other card that was for sale during the woot sale. A lot of people chose this, and a lot of others chose the 650. I'm not really sure what the difference is between the 600 and the 650, but I'm sure you can find information on it.

Go through the woot blog here and see if you can figure out the differences between the 600 and the 650 to see if it will work for you.

http://www.woot.com/blog/viewentry.aspx?id=10694
Click to expand...


hmm...would that fit in the tiny case I have? I'm thinking of just going full case like you,

edit: newegg reviewers were saying that diamond card is low profile
 
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I'm going to disagree with several things others have posted here as there are some outdated recommendations based on the way things were (even as recent as a month ago). HTPCs are a very fast moving target these days. There are a lot of new parts that have changed the game or will be over the next few months.

The best place to go to keep up is this thread on AVSForms:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972&page=401
renethx puts out a new set of build recommendations every few months.

The new Intel i3 systems with built-in HDMI and bitstreaming audio support are the best options out there for most builds now. You don't have to get a dedicated graphics card (unless you plan on doing gaming). The on-CPU graphics card works great from all the reports (this isn't to say there aren't some issues but most are minor and people have had or are currently have these same kinds of issues with dedicated graphics cards).

I just ordered the new parts for my build and it is similarly priced to what you just spec'd but it will use less power at idle and load plus be a more powerful/update to date system.

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80616I3530 - $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-222-_-Product
(I purchased mine for $105 + free shipping from Ewiz.com. Use coupon code CUPID14, ends 2/4)

COOLER MASTER GeminII S RR-CCH-PBU1-GP 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler -$31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-046-_-Product
(You might need to get the 1156 retention bracket. Some people are saying that it already comes with this but I have yet to confirm this. I should know once I put this together at the end of the week. If you want purchase it then here is a link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-076-_-Product )

ASRock H55M Pro LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k%20H55M%20Pro

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2800CL9D-4GBNQ

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3EG HD203WI 2TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pinpoint%202TB

Enermax ECO80+ 400W EES400AWT - Modular Power Supply - $79.99 (You maybe able to find this cheaper than at Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0W%20EES400AWT

LG Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray Reader & 16X LightScribe DVD±R DVD Burner - $85.49 (10% off coupon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136162

Anyware GP-IR01BK Windows Vista MCE Remote Control External IR Receiver and Remote - $23.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&amp;Tpk=GP-IR01BK
There are a lot of options here. The main reason for recommending this remote is that it comes with an USB IR receiver. You can combine this with any remote and it should work great.

SILVERSTONE Black GRANDIA GD04B Case - $109.99 (This is currently on backorder at NewEgg. They are replacing this with the GD05 and it may be the same price).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...63158&amp;Tpk=gd04
There are a ton of cases out there. I think this line is the best case based on overall size (small but big enough for full height PCI-Express cards), look and price (some cases are over $200).

Total: $815.92

If you want to save some money here are a few recommendations:
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2800CL9D-2GBNQ

SAMSUNG EcoGreen F2 HD154UI 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152175
or
Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EADS 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136351

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W - $59.99 (after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...003&amp;Tpk=VX450W

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS50 - $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167

If you go with all the money saving options I listed above (except the DVD) then the cost is $685.92

The last thing is using your device as a DVR (Tivo) replacement. This is one of the best uses of an HTPC, in my opinion. If you want to record stuff that isn't Over The Air (OTA) then I highly recommend waiting for the new Ceton card to be released (it should be out March 31st). Most non-basic (and even all basic, depending on your cable provider) channels, including all HD channels, are encrypted. This means you can't record them with the clear QAM device, like those recommended above.

The new Centon card will be able to record 4 streams at once with a M-Cable card. It will retail for $399. I know this seems like a lot but many of the old ones (that have pretty much been discontinued) only supported 1 stream and cost $200-$300 each, plus the monthly cost of each additional cable card).
More details are available on this website.
http://www.cetoncorp.com/buy.php
 
ok, so I DO want to use this HTPC as a DVR replacement...so the cards I had linked to above won't allow me to do that?I thought this would. Can I get HD tv from that card? I'm so confused now
 
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