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Want to make HTPC, your input wanted

z1ggy

z1ggy

Lifer
Hi all... I would like to make an HTPC, here are some of my requirements.
Sorry ahead of time for not formatting these links so it's more user friendly, but I'm not sure how.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
-Hooked up to my 50 inch plasma to watch movies, listen to music and surf the web and possibly play some games like TS3 or Roller Coaster Tycoon

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-no more than $400 USD

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
-USA, Prob newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
-Prob. AMD because this is a budget build.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
-Just my 50 inch Plasma TV as the output

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
-Yes a person I see just posted a thread about making an HTPC, but my needs are slightly different.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-I dont think I will need to OC.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
-1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
-Once I order a receiver and speakers for surround sound ( which I'm not quite sure about those either)

Are the follow parts going to do the job with max cost effectiveness??

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133044
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134812
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103846
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126041
 
Do you plan to run Windows 7? If so, you should really look into 2GB of RAM. I would probably also swap the Phenom II X2 for an Athlon II X2. You're not doing anything with that build that would benefit from the L3, and the extra RAM would be far more useful.
 
mfenn said:
Do you plan to run Windows 7? If so, you should really look into 2GB of RAM. I would probably also swap the Phenom II X2 for an Athlon II X2. You're not doing anything with that build that would benefit from the L3, and the extra RAM would be far more useful.
Click to expand...

That is 2GB of RAM I believe...? It's a single stick.. but to answer your question yes I will be using Win7.

Another question I have is with that mobo, will that onboard video be enough to play a game like The Sims and to watch DVDrips?

Edit- Also..I would like to sort of use this as a possible back up to my desktop rig now just incase it shits the bed randomly, I can have a backup, so maybe having the phenom around for 20 bucks more wouldn't be such a bad idea..
 
Last edited:
z1ggy said:
That is 2GB of RAM I believe...? It's a single stick.. but to answer your question yes I will be using Win7.

Another question I have is with that mobo, will that onboard video be enough to play a game like The Sims and to watch DVDrips?
Click to expand...

I meant two more GB of RAM (4GB total). Sorry about that. Yes, the onboard will be fine for casual gaming.
 
mfenn said:
I meant two more GB of RAM (4GB total). Sorry about that. Yes, the onboard will be fine for casual gaming.
Click to expand...

Oh okay, well for only like 20 bucks more I can get a stick of 4GB G skill RAM then.

Now I also was wondering about the use of this HTPC in conjunction with a home speaker setup. The mobo has an HDMi and DVI output... so will I be routing the HDMI right to the receiver and then from the receiver to the TV via HDMI, or will I also need a DVI from the HTPC to the TV, as well?
 
fffblackmage said:
HDMI on that mobo should be able to pass both video and audio, so you shouldn't need DVI.
Click to expand...

Okay. I wasn't sure if the receiver was able to output video via HDMI to the TV.

So all in all, I would need 2 HDMI inputs (In from HTPC, PS3 ) 1 Component In from the cable box, and then 1 HDMI out to the TV and then the outputs from the receiver to the speakers, correct me if I am wrong?
 
z1ggy said:
Okay. I wasn't sure if the receiver was able to output video via HDMI to the TV.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, well, I'm assuming the receiver is able to, but you should probably just check the manual for that or something to make sure.
So all in all, I would need 2 HDMI inputs (In from HTPC, PS3 ) 1 Component In from the cable box, and then 1 HDMI out to the TV and then the outputs from the receiver to the speakers, correct me if I am wrong?
Click to expand...
That's how I imagine it would work. I'm still using an ancient receiver with no digital or HDMI inputs though, so I can't say I know for certain.
 
z1ggy said:
Okay. I wasn't sure if the receiver was able to output video via HDMI to the TV.

So all in all, I would need 2 HDMI inputs (In from HTPC, PS3 ) 1 Component In from the cable box, and then 1 HDMI out to the TV and then the outputs from the receiver to the speakers, correct me if I am wrong?
Click to expand...

Most newer receivers have the capability to decode audio directly from the HDMI stream, so you should be able to do exactly as you suggest. Just check the specs on the receiver, as the lowest-end ones may not have this capability yet.
 
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