What do you think for HTPC

[tRaptor]

Ok, so long story short, we are in need of a new HTPC for our apartment. Looking to build it pretty cheap, and I have a good portion of the stuff from the old one/ones.

Part Cost Version
CPU $63.00 Sempron 2300+ 1.583GHz 333Mhz http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=19-104-209&DEPA=0
RAM $0.00 256 Have, or 35.50 for 256mb 2700
Case $44.50 POWMAX MATX3304-S http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-145-004&DEPA=0
Motherboard $47.00 CHAINTECH 7VIF4 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-030&depa=0

Total Shipped $154.50

Other Parts:
Heatsink - Included
Sound - Onboard
Lan - Have Gig + Onboard
Hard Drives - Have
Video - Have ATI AIW7500
Optical - Have


I need some recomendatiions on a case. I do not like the square cases, but I wouldent mind one if the price is right. So, what do you guys think?

~Tyler

 

[wisdomtooth]

Pretty good considering your budget constraints. I'd run with it.

The only reservation I have is the TFX-form-factor PSU in that case... My personal preference would be for a case that can take a standard ATX PSU so you can get a quiet one. Nothing worse than a steady loud droning sound from your HTPC when playing back music or a DVD.

The cheapest MicroATX case I can find that takes an ATX psu would cost you $80 though: Coolermaster ATC-620C-BX1 (PSU not included.)

My HTPC case, though probably out of your price range..

 

[tRaptor]

Thinking about this case, i've seen it recomended a few times. http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-190-003&depa=0

 

[wisdomtooth]

The Athenatech case would be comparable to the Powmax you originally spec'ed, yes. It actually looks nicer too.

I still have the same reservations though, because it also uses a TFX power supply.

Go for it if you don't mind the PSU!

 

[tRaptor]

I wish that I could aford to get a case that has a standard ATX PSU, but I just can justify spending that much. One thing i do need to know is that the PSU that does come with the casue I buy will be able to power my setup.

Anyone remember that site that Had wattage caluclation?

 

[tRaptor]

Ok, now i'm looking at this case:

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-108-176&DEPA=0

Its got a nice 250 watt supply. My only concern is can it fit full height cards?

 

[mcveigh]

Originally posted by: tRaptor
Ok, now i'm looking at this case:

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-108-176&DEPA=0

Its got a nice 250 watt supply. My only concern is can it fit full height cards?

nope half height cards only. do you have a budget in mind? how about a nforce2 motherboard instead.
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-138-216&depa=0

 

[tRaptor]

Originally posted by: mcveigh

Originally posted by: tRaptor
Ok, now i'm looking at this case:

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-108-176&DEPA=0

Its got a nice 250 watt supply. My only concern is can it fit full height cards?

nope half height cards only. do you have a budget in mind? how about a nforce2 motherboard instead.
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-138-216&depa=0

How can you tell? I need to fit my ATI All-In-Wonder 7500 into this thing.

As far as the mboard, I'm not really excited about a BioStar barnd. I really have no reason for high performance, this is simply a TV turner and AVI/MPEG plyabavk machine. I dont do anything as far as captures or anything like that.

Also, the board you linked to is not a Mirco-ATX size board.

 

[mcveigh]

I can tell by looking at the picture of the back of the case. go look at the back of a full size case and compare it. you'll see how much further the pci slots extend.
try these instead
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-138-234&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-123-216&depa=0
biostar is a decent brand and I find nvidia drivers are more stable than via that's why I reccomend the nforce.
I'm also reccomend going to a hardware capture card like a hauppauge pvr-250.


here's my htpc setup for example
case: ATC-620
MSI 865P mobo
P4 2.4C
512MB ram
NEC 2100A dvd burner
120gb and 200gb seagate drives
PVR-250 capture card
M-audio revolution 7.1 sound card
windows MCE2005

I slowly got my stuff together over a year.

 

[tRaptor]

Any recomendations for a cheap case with PSU that wil support full height cards? (ATI AIW 7500)

 

[wisdomtooth]

Well... Seth there also uses the Coolermaster ATC-620C I mentioned earlier. I think it warrants a second look. A good case IMHO is usually a good investment; it avoids you having to make costly case upgrades later after finding out a cheapie case doesn't do what you want it to do.

HTH!

 

[IlllI]

i thought HTPC computers were suppose to be small and quiet? regualr size atx power supplies would increase the size of the case by quite a lot i think.


what about antec minuet? it's small, and looks good

also, i dont think i saw any mention of what kind of heatsink you would be using(getting a good quiet one can make a difference in noise levels)

 

[wisdomtooth]

Skunkbuster:

On the contrary, you can actually get a quieter HTPC by using a standard ATX PSU.

Those cases that uses TFX- and SFX-form factor PSUs tend to use small fans (80 or 60mm) spinning at HIGH speeds to exhaust air. That's noisy.

With a standard ATX PSU, you can get something with a slow-spinning 120mm fan like a Seasonic Super Tornado 350, which is virtually silent.

Definitely go full-ATX PSU when building an HTPC if you can.

The Antec Minuet is not a good option for TRaptor, because he needs something that can take a full-height graphics card. The Minuet has half-height PCI and AGP slots.

 

[calyco]

Some suggestions, get the Zalman 7000 aclu heatsink for the cpu. Get the Zalman fanless vga cooler and a quiet PSU. Those are the most important parts in a HTPC imo.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
Skunkbuster:

On the contrary, you can actually get a quieter HTPC by using a standard ATX PSU.

Those cases that uses TFX- and SFX-form factor PSUs tend to use small fans (80 or 60mm) spinning at HIGH speeds to exhaust air. That's noisy.

With a standard ATX PSU, you can get something with a slow-spinning 120mm fan like a Seasonic Super Tornado 350, which is virtually silent.

Definitely go full-ATX PSU when building an HTPC if you can.

The Antec Minuet is not a good option for TRaptor, because he needs something that can take a full-height graphics card. The Minuet has half-height PCI and AGP slots.

that may be true, but i've also know of some small powersupplies that are also very quiet. in fact, i have one that has a 40mm fan and it doesnt make any noise at all that i can tell. also shuttle with their line of sff silent powersupplies is another example.
i'm aware that the minuet only accepts low profile cards, but the guy could use the video integrated into his motherboard already, and just get a separate low profile tv tuner card.

 

[wisdomtooth]

It's a question of availability. Those PSUs are not very common and your choices are pretty limited. On Newegg for instance, there are dozens and dozens of makes for ATX PSUs, while those who carry TFX and SFX PSUs I can count on the fingers of one hand. And PSUs like the Shuttle PC40 can only be used in the shuttle cases-- Its dimensions are different than the published TFX spec.

A good ATX PSU will also beat hands-down any of the small form factor PSUs when it comes to ventilation efficiency, which is important in cooling.

I'm sure there are situations for which TFX/SFX/proprietary stuff are very well-suited. It depends on how much you are willing to put up with the limitations, I guess.

As an aside: I will be taking delivery of a Silverstone LC02 in a few days. It uses a TFX power supply. I suspect I will have to void the warranty and drastically mod the PSU to achieve the cooling and quietness levels I will require. The price I know I'm going to pay to have an HTPC that looks decent on a component rack.