HTPC/Digital Media Server

[MrMiyagi]

Building a HTPC/Media Server for my buddy to run on his 60" Sony DLP and bad a$$ new HT Audio setup. I'd like to keep it around or under $700. Here's what I have so far.

Lian Li PC-V880A (also was thinking about something from Silverstone because its a bit thinner
XFX Geforce 6600GT
CHAINTECH AV-710
Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATA
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC3200
Fotron Source 450W PS

Current total is $511.00.

Would like to get Win MCE but its like $130 and I can get a full ver of XP Pro for $67 from school (so not sure if MCE is worth it) I guess I need to start thinking about a decent wireless mouse/keyboard combo(and remote if that's what people usually do)

Not currently thinking about DVR cpabilities so will worry about that later if needed.

As stated, need a mobo and proc for at a good value to keep it in price range.



Thanks for looking

 

[DaveSimmons]

Gaming? If not consider a board with nv 6100 or 6150 onboard graphics. The Biostar TForce boards (socket 754 & 939) also have onboard SPDIF optical (& coax?)

Sudhian.com reviewed the TForce 939, I think that's the review that showed good HD video decoding performance.

Also if not gaming, 1 GB is a waste of money, 512 MB is fine

 

[MrMiyagi]

No gaming, aside from some classic emulators (NES, Neo Geo, Genesis, etc).

I was just worried about on board video/audio not looking/sounding good on his equipment (pretty sure I want DVI out for DVD's)...will have to read that review though.

Memory change to 512... Done

Edit: also with those cases I don't think I need micro ATX

 

[DaveSimmons]

Also check the Asus gf 6150 motherboard

You might not need mATX but given good enough onboard video and SPDIF you can save the money for the card(s) (6600 & chaintech).

 

[MrMiyagi]

Still no DVI though...don't I want that?

Will a cheap socket 754 mobo w/ a Sempron do keeping my existing parts?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: MrMiyagi
Still no DVI though...don't I want that?

Will a cheap socket 754 mobo w/ a Sempron do keeping my existing parts?

The Asus I linked to has DVI-D, the Biostar TForce just has VGA.

How much CPU you need depends on what media you need to play back. A cheap Sempron is fine for DVD/MPEG2 and Divx, but even an A64 4000+ strains with playing back some 1080i high-def content.

For music any CPU you can buy now will be twiddling its thumbs in boredom at the lack of effort it needs.

Also, if you aren't playing back video (just music) a VGA port is fine if the Sony has VGA in (many HD TVs do). It might even be fine for video, check AVSForum.com and find a thread on the TV.

 

[MrMiyagi]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: MrMiyagi
Still no DVI though...don't I want that?

Will a cheap socket 754 mobo w/ a Sempron do keeping my existing parts?

The Asus I linked to has DVI-D, the Biostar TForce just has VGA.

How much CPU you need depends on what media you need to play back. A cheap Sempron is fine for DVD/MPEG2 and Divx, but even an A64 4000+ strains with playing back some 1080i high-def content.

For music any CPU you can buy now will be twiddling its thumbs in boredom at the lack of effort it needs.

Also, if you aren't playing back video (just music) a VGA port is fine if the Sony has VGA in (many HD TVs do). It might even be fine for video, check AVSForum.com and find a thread on the TV.

Sorry, newegg messed up..they must have the wrong picture of the Asus cause its doesn't show the DVI

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: MrMiyagi
Sorry, newegg messed up..they must have the wrong picture of the Asus cause its doesn't show the DVI

They may make 2 versions, you're right the Newegg photo shows VGA while the one they sent AnandTech had DVI.

If ordering from Newegg it makes sense to trust their photo, so unless the Sony has a VGA port as well as DVI / HDMI it looks like you do need a video card. D'oh!

 

[MrMiyagi]

Just a thought. So even if I told my friend to spend the extra $$ on a nice processor he couldn't run 1080i stuff (i.e. HD trailers from apple.com)? So don't even worry about it if he's not gaming, and go cheap?

BTW: just talked to him and he decided to use Cox's receiver DVR for recording programs cause it would be easier for him.

 

[DaveSimmons]

QuickTime HD might play fine, but if you read reviews (like the Sudhian one, and maybe AnandTech's TForce too) they're showing massive CPU loads for some HD content.

Since he's going with a dedicated DVR (which is a good idea, my brother loves his), what would he be using the HTPC to play? Does he need it at all?

 

[MrMiyagi]

He likes the idea of having a comp to straight up use iTunes on his TV to play through his new HT setup, DVD's, and some emulation. I think I just started going wild and suggesting he be able to do much cooler things with it if he had the power. So likely a cheap mobo w/pci-e and a Sempron will fit his needs just fine . How does that handle some of the HD 720p stuff?

 

[DaveSimmons]

RTFA

http://www.sudhian.com/showdocs.cfm?aid=718&pid=2789

(A64 4000+)