Pleas read. i need help to find out if my htpc parts are good. HDTV wonder pci

[needtobuildhtpc]

hello,
I am making a cheap HTPC. Here are the parts I want to buy:

-gx520 or maybe gx 280 mobo(they are trash I know but its good enough for me, $15) you tell me which is better
-P4 2.8 or 3 ghz(from my old pcs that I upgraded to e7500s)free
-unbranded fans and heatsinks(my house is cold so doesn't matter)$5-10 total
-cheap WMC remote control off ebay .$5 maybe
-And last but not least a ATI hdtv wonder pci (withought the remote) $10

Do you think that this will be a useable setup or I need some upgrades. The cpu I think is okay, the cooling I also think should be just fine(might have some extra case fans to use), The hard drive, I got a spare 600gb.


The only questions I have is that will the gma950 integrated be strong enough to handle 1080p/I? and also is the HDTV wonder pci going to be enough?can it handle atsc? can I record and watch at the same time?
Thanks,
Please help as I have never made a htpc before.
Also since the tuner doesn't have a remote control does that mean that the ebay controller will work? And are all of my specs compatible with windows 7/8/8.1?
THanks so much
reply here on the forum or email me at random153947@gmail.com

 

[BonzaiDuck]

hello,
I am making a cheap HTPC. Here are the parts I want to buy:

-gx520 or maybe gx 280 mobo(they are trash I know but its good enough for me, $15) you tell me which is better
-P4 2.8 or 3 ghz(from my old pcs that I upgraded to e7500s)free
-unbranded fans and heatsinks(my house is cold so doesn't matter)$5-10 total
-cheap WMC remote control off ebay .$5 maybe
-And last but not least a ATI hdtv wonder pci (withought the remote) $10

Do you think that this will be a useable setup or I need some upgrades. The cpu I think is okay, the cooling I also think should be just fine(might have some extra case fans to use), The hard drive, I got a spare 600gb.


The only questions I have is that will the gma950 integrated be strong enough to handle 1080p/I? and also is the HDTV wonder pci going to be enough?can it handle atsc? can I record and watch at the same time?
Thanks,
Please help as I have never made a htpc before.
Also since the tuner doesn't have a remote control does that mean that the ebay controller will work? And are all of my specs compatible with windows 7/8/8.1?
THanks so much
reply here on the forum or email me at random153947@gmail.com

Right off the bat, I'm pretty sure about this: the P4 processor(s) you're talking about are known as "Northwood" cores, and they are socket-478. they will not fit (or work!) in a motherboard offering an LGA-775 socket, such as the GX 520 you mention. You would need, instead, to find an LGA-775 Intel processor (likely dual-core) compatible with the mobo's chipset.

Second, I'm skeptical that the onboard graphics is the best option you could choose, but I'm only guessing that it might be adequate for HTPC. Personally, I'd probably feel compelled even without testing the Intel gfx to grab an NVidia GT 430 or something like that for maybe $30.

But the onboard video of the motherboard doesn't have HDMI or even DVI output. I'd think you'd want at minimum DVI-to-HDMI for your PC-to-HT link, and HDMI-to-HDMI would be better. All you have with the onboard video on those boards is VGA -- your standard 15-pin analog vid connection.

The ATI wonder HDTV probably will work; it may even be configurable to input encrypted cable-TV channels, but I cannot say at this point for not wanting to drill down through the documents available for the tuner.

The conventional wisdom is to build an "HTPC" which mostly functions for media entertainment (possibly gaming) but nothing else. I defied that wisdom by configuring OTA HD and an Hauppauge HVR-2250 tuner card, subscription-cable HD and internet HD with a SiliconDust triple-tuner on our network with my "main flagship workstation," overall personal computer for gaming and business -- also overclocked. I don't recommend this approach -- which has now reached better-than-imagined perfection for me -- to anyone who wants to avoid complex trouble-shooting. Instead, I'd recommend a dedicated HTPC to anyone else, while I continue my own approach against the tide.

So I commend your inclination to harvest old computer parts to serve this need. Your hopes for "free" processor are unrealistic for those options -- or you'll have to find a socket-LGA-775 -- MAYBE a single-core Prescott; more likely a dual-core Conroe or Pentium-D. You need to consult the motherboard specs about processor compatibility.

The tuner card may be a great bargain for what you have in mind. But -- What DO you have in mind? Let's start by inventorying your available channel line-up and subscriptions -- if any.

Do you ONLY have OTA (over-the-air) HDTV broadcasts? Or do you have a cable subscription? Do you have satellite HD, DirectTV or anything similar to that? Does your subscription include a cable-box rental or SOMETHING SIMILAR? Do you use something like TiVO, or a device that requires a cable-card rental?

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

Thanks for the quick reply! I am pretty sure that my cpu is 775 but even if not I could probable pick one up for cheap.

I also forgot to tell you that I have a Radeon hd 5450 1gb with HDMI.
Basically all I have is OTA, but all the shows that I watch are there in HD(most in 1080 some in 720)(The simsons, Family Guy, Psych,etc... no need for cable here. That's all come from a homemade Gray hoverman in the Northern VA (near Washington dc) area.

So im happy to know that my cheap HDTV wonder will work.
Thanks so much for your input.

Also should I get a single core with high clock CPU or a dual core with mid range clock cpu?

I will not be doing much gaming on this although maybe some cod 5 or GTA SA . I can play both those games with decent FPS on a 2.8ghz P4 and a 5450.

Please also if you find a cheaper alternative to these parts notify me. IM a poor person.:\:'(

 

[poofyhairguy]

Also should I get a single core with high clock CPU or a dual core with mid range clock cpu?

Let us know the exact mobo and we can really recommend something. Best case is the most modern 775 celeron you can get.

Otherwise that AMD GPU should work (no way the built-in Intel will).

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

ok thanks. I don't really need a case. I have a wooden box of the exact size required for me to fit the components and to fit in my tv console. It wont overheat because ill make sure to get a bunch of fans.

So here is my moboI changed my mind the OptiPlex 210l mobo is cheaper.)THe dell part number is wj772(will the hdtv wonder card fit here. IF not can you recommend a good mobo for 15-20 Dollars)Don't make fun of me for getting such a bad mobo. Its the cheapest I could find. Ill I want to do is to be able to record and watch live. This mobo can handle and I know it

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

actually that mobo is trash. It doesn't even have pci express x16. need 2 for my cards. looking for another on ebay right now.

 

[poofyhairguy]

As long as you can use that AMD GPU you are fine. No 775 Intel GPU will work.

 

[DesiPower]

I have a 775, Pentium 950, on Intel mobo, 2 GB DDR2 ram and HD5450, it plays everything without a sweat. I play BRD ISO and ripped uncompressed mkv using TMT all the time and have never seen a hiccup.

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

ok. also is it safe to just build my own case from wood and add fans. or are store bought ones necessary. im a cheap ass money whore and would rather get things for free. also, does anyone know if there is a windows 8/8.1 app for Netflix designed for big screen. or a win7 program

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

ill tell you what mobo pretty soon. maybe tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

ok. here is my mobo:http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-OPTIPL...191915436?pt=Motherboards&hash=item4d1c9393ac.

It has a PCI for my X800gt and it has a PCI Express x16 for my hd 5450. is it worth it.

Here are the rest of the items:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATI-All-In-...574?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2c82cba6a6.
i believe the "GT" version is ATSC
-----------------------------
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-RC1974...715?pt=US_Remote_Controls&hash=item43b8d6059b
-------------------------------
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Computer-PC...?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item416d729dae
---------------------------------
Ill buy 2 or 3 case fans
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Useful-...?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item461c341939
---------------------------------

all in all i think i will not need the hd 5450 anymore since the X800 also has a built in graphics card. I will see if it is fine if not ill use 5450

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

update
-----
im certain the x800 will work just fine.

I will add one fan to the front to pull in air, one in back to pull out air, and one screwed to the side of the case to blow air directly on the tuner card to keep it cool.

Will this be enough inside a wooden case.

I may even get cooling supplies free with my 15 dollar gift card.
They don't let me make marketplace purchases though.

 

[DesiPower]

be careful while buying Dell mobo, it might have proprietary crap

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Compaq-D...446635746?pt=Motherboards&hash=item338f3f80e2

How about this? HP. 2 PCI, 1 PCI x1.(IS there an adapter for x16 to standard PCI. ill search and if it works then ill buy this mobo.)

I like hp better anyway but this one looks like its from 2000. Are you sure that Ill be able to use windows 7/8/8.1 on this?

Thanks
-----------------------------------------------
edit
nevermind. This seems like a lot of trouble. Ive bought a used dell mobo before and it was fine. the sellar has a guarantee. ill just buy the dell
thanks

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/antec-tr...0fan&cp=1&lp=2

How would 2 of these do me. Plus an extra no brand fan off ebay?

Will I stay cool. I plan on making grates in the wood ill be using for my case using a drill bit.
Thanks.

 

[poofyhairguy]

For cooling, the bigger the fan the better.

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

OK. my dad is mad at me so don't think he can buy me parts. I don't have a credit card. im only 14. Maybe my friends brother can get them for me. So does anyone have any blueprints or even know if it is possible to build my own case?

 

[Aikouka]

You're probably better off just finding some old computer case that would be free or very cheap, but the only issue with those is that the motherboards that you keep linking probably won't work in them. Those OEM motherboards tend to be in their own bass-ackwards form factor.

 

[needtobuildhtpc]

ive made my decision. Ill will buy what I listed in one of my posts + the HP mobo. im using a homemade case. Im sure that the x800gt will work as a gfx card and as a tuner. If it doesn't ill switch the graphics cards, stop being a poor ass mofo. rob someone and buy a usb tuner.

Thanks,

If I actually make this and it works, I will make a tutorial