• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Straighten out my HTPC needs

BrokenVisage

BrokenVisage

Lifer
So I want to build a HTPC for the 30" HDTV in my room. I don't plan on using it for anything more then a DVR/video file player, so I won't be playing games or doing much surfing on it.

My biggest question is how powerful should the CPU and vid-card I get for it be. Is something like a Radeon 6500 AIW enough to transfer HD content? Would an AMD 3200+ @ 2.0GHz be enough to get the job done on its side? If someone could give me an idea of how low/high I should go that would be great.

Basically I'm looking hardware combinations as examples for what I should be looking into. I'll spend some good cash on this I just don't want to get something more powerful then I would ever need. I got a case with a 400W PSU picked out already, it can fit full and micro ATX boards if that helps.

TIA
 
I'm a big fan of the 690g motherboards. Depending on what you want to do I have heard of some issues with decoding HD movies (.mkv files and the like) on CPUs that are less than an X4600 (some people claim that they can get by with a 4000 or 4200 using the CORE codec but I have no direct experience)

As for the PSU I would recommend a quite one as well. I don't like my movies being interrupted by loud fan noise

I just built mine about a month ago using a X2 5200+, 2gb ram, 400gb HDD, 430w earthwattes PSU, 690G gigabyte mobo and a Coolmaster Centurion case for under $400
 
You do not need a God machine for HD recorder box. I have a 2.0 Ghz box with 512 MB and 300 GB HDD that works just fine. Records and plays HD content flawlessly.
 
I accidentally deleted a big post I put together last night. Here's the condensed version :roll:

This machine won't consume more than 200W, what's important is a quality PSU and quiet components. I either use these parts or have built machines with them, so I can personally give each a :thumbsup:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz
$70

ASUS M2A-VM
$75

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB)
$62

SeaSonic S12 II SS-330GB
$60

SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB
$110

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R
$36

Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler - nearly ideal HT heatsink, i'm getting one
$30

Fans - Nexus are very quiet, but don't move enough air for my liking. Noctua fans are just as quiet, mild sounding, and have decent flow. Scythe are supposed to be pretty good, too.

Case - A personal but critical choice. I like Silverstone boxes. For a slight premium, they are very functional and have a high build quality. I recommend using a case with Imon. It works pretty well with the Logitech Harmony remotes too.

Software - XP and Zoom Player


Do you plan on using this box for TV too?
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, but maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself on what I want to do. I get my cable service from Comcast (yay) and want this HTPC I'm going to build to act primarily as a DVR so I don't have to use the crappy DVR box Comcast gives you. I didn't really get how the Comcast STB and the HTPC can "talk" to each other without there being issues though, and from what I understand I can't simply plug the coax into the HTPC since it won't decode the channels correctly.

So, can somebody confirm for me that it's possible to have a Comcast STB that can be used with a HTPC setup as a DVR?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top