Your advice about parts for an HTPC needed

[bovinda]

Mobo burned out on my HTPC. I'm thinking of just putting a little money into it and upgrading, specifically the mobo + CPU + RAM, and maybe a new graphics card, TV tuner, and case. I could really use some suggestions, especially for passively cooled / quiet components! Either AMD or Intel is fine. I already have hard drives, optical drives, an Antec Sonata case with 380 watt PSU, and a BFG NVidia 6800 OC (AGP card) and a Hauppauge 150.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
HTPC (including media center fxn, hi-def TV, SD TV) and office work.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Not sure, but I'm thinking ~300-500$. Sorry, I know it's more than a 20% spread, but if it seems worth it, I'll spend a little more. I just have to figure it out, whether I want to just replace mobo+CPU+RAM or also replace other parts.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA.

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, etc, etc, you get the picture.
I have no fan preference.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Definitely will reuse hard drives and opticals. Maybe will also reuse the graphics card and TV tuner card? Does anyone even make AGP mobos anymore though?

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have, but honestly, I don't have time to spend hours and hours doing research. I trust AT'ers to give me some good suggestions and ideas to start with!

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
It will be run at default speeds--it needs to be quiet and cool.

Thanks guys! Again, in conclusion, need:
1.) Passively cooled mobo
2.) Quiet/passively cooled CPU
3.) RAM

...and maybe...
4.) Graphics card for SD TV, HD TV, media center functionality
5.) TV Tuner card for HD TV, SD TV

 

[bovinda]

bump!

 

[Blain]

"I'm thinking ~300-500$"
Dang, that's skimpy! :shocked:

Here's a start...
CPU - Pentium Dual Core 2180 @ $90 - Newegg
MB - Foxconn P35A
Memory - A-DATA Vitesta DDR2 800 1Gx2 kit
Video - HIS Radeon 2600Pro 512MB
MB, RAM and Video card @ $174 after rebates & shipping - ZipZoomFly

 

[pcsavvy]

You might want to go this route:

AMD 64 X2 4800 Brisbane 2.5 GHz (65 W) 99.99
Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX 79.99
2 Gigs of DDR2 800 for around 50.00

<$300

Gigabyte also has an ATX board that is about 15 dollars more that has just about the same features.

later on add a video card as your budget allows.....
Maybe get ATI 2600 xt or the new 3xx0 series


This is not a high end gamers system but it is a good quality start for a HTPC system since the mb has everything you need short of the tv tuner card.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: pcsavvy
You might want to go this route:

AMD 64 X2 4800 Brisbane 2.5 GHz (65 W) 99.99
Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX 79.99
2 Gigs of DDR2 800 for around 50.00

<$300

Gigabyte also has an ATX board that is about 15 dollars more that has just about the same features.

later on add a video card as your budget allows.....
Maybe get ATI 2600 xt or the new 3xx0 series


This is not a high end gamers system but it is a good quality start for a HTPC system since the mb has everything you need short of the tv tuner card.

Only thing I might change would be the cpu - X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz would save around $20. Plenty of juice for an htpc.

May not need a vid card with the 690g until you go HDDVD/BluRay - and then just to reduce cpu utilization and keep things cool and quiet Welcome to the 2007 HTPCs!

ATI 2600/2400 or nVidia 8600/8500 with reduce cpu utilization 80%+ by removing vc1/h264 decoding from the cpu.

Check out the AVS Forums on that mobo - and vid cards if you feel like you have to spend the money.

Here is a HDTV PCI Tuner Card & USB HDTV Tuner Chart

Love my Fusion RT Gold . . . .

 

[bovinda]

Originally posted by: Blain
"I'm thinking ~300-500$"
Dang, that's skimpy! :shocked:

Here's a start...
CPU - Pentium Dual Core 2180 @ $90 - Newegg
MB - Foxconn P35A
Memory - A-DATA Vitesta DDR2 800 1Gx2 kit
Video - HIS Radeon 2600Pro 512MB
MB, RAM and Video card @ $174 after rebates & shipping - ZipZoomFly

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I was really surprised to get this suggestion from Blain--last time I asked for feedback on components, I got the sheep picture he used to post for all the similar computer parts requests! Anyway, just pleasantly surprised by the suggestion. Thanks pcsavvy and heyheybooboo also.

I actually ended up going pretty much with Blain's suggestion--I grabbed the E2180 and the Foxconn P35A from ZipZoomFly. Also grabbed a 1x2 Gb kit of Corsair RAM for less than $50 after rebates. Also picked up MSI's passively cooled 8600 GT from Club IT. If I figure I need a new tuner card soon, I'll check out heyheybooboo's link.

Thanks guys!