AMD X2 HTPC build

[master7045]

I am finally ready to plundge into the HTPC realm and was looking for some advice. I want to be able to record one show and watch another, this means 2 tv tuners or a dual tuner. If i go the dual tuner route I would like one to be able to record HD.

Processor: 155 MD 3800+ X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103735A

MOBO: 175 Gigabyte GA-M516M-- I want to be able to output in Dolby Digital/DTS I think this one does that
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128009

RAM: 160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227160

Optical: 30 Lite-on ( I wont be using light scribe or DL just something to burn to/from DVD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106014

Case: Don't really know anything about HTPC cases, I would want it to be quiet, small enough to fit in an entertainment stand, horizontal and under 150. some features i'd like but aren't necessary are media card reader, digital display, flip cover.

Video Card: Do I need one? I probably won't be gaming on this much, maybe some basic strategy games like Command and Conquer, I'll probably use my lappy for gaming. I want this rig to be a HD PVR/media hub

Tuner Cards: Again don't know much about these, so looking for some input.

My budget is around 1000, I already have a keyboard/Windows/etc. I hope this is detailed enough, I am looking forward to your responses.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Look at the Antec NSK2400 (horizontal), and there is a review of it at www.silentPCReview.com

Socket 939 CPU and AM2 motherboard won't mix

I just used a Biostar TForce 6100-939 in a build along with a socket 939 X2 3800+ and Zalman 7000B-alcu HSF and in an Antec (midtower) NSK4400 case and it is basically silent except for the hard drives.

The Biostar includes both optical and coax digital out, and includes the bracket for it not just pins on the motherboard (many boards just have pins with no way to use them).

The nvidia 6100 video on the motherboard is fine for standard-def video, for hardware assisted 1080i high-def you might want something with more features Also the Biostar doesn't have component out just VGA, what input on your TV will you be using?

 

[R3MF]

Fusion:
http://www.sfftech.com/index.php?/articles/show/antec_fusion_review/

LC16M: (gonna build a htpc with this case next month)
http://www.sfftech.com/index.php?/articles/show/Silverstone_LC16M_Review/

LC11M:
http://www.sfftech.com/index.php?/articles/show/Silverstone_LC11M_Review/

 

[zainali]

check out htpcnews.com forums. they have some good guides there.

 

[Suture]

If you even want to do some light gaming I'd suggest a video card. My HTPC has onboard video, but I don't use it due to the shared memory and VGA-out only. I picked up an AGP video card for like $50, a 6200 with S-Video/DVI, 256MB of RAM.

As for tuners, if you're using MCE, you're limited. I went with a Hauppauge 150, and I'm still hunting for a half-height HD tuner as my case will only accept half-height PCI cards (with half-height brackets).

This online store is good, and they respond quickly to e-mails if you have any questions:
PC Alchemy

If I didn't have a copy of MCE 2005 laying around I would be going with a different OS but I can't stand wasting it.

Don't forget to get a wireless keyboard and remote. I picked up the MCE remote from NewEgg, along with an Ione wireless RF small keyboard that has a built in mini-joystick that acts as the mouse pointer. Works great.

 

[mshan]

Antec NSK2400 HTPC case:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article591-page1.html


This is the mobo I'd recommend for HTPC:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1803985&enterthread=y

 

[master7045]

Ok so here is a revision of items:

CPU: 155 AMD 64 X2 3800+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
I don?t know much about AMD chips other than they are extremely cool compared to the "portable heater" that I am running now, that is why I have chose this model, if there is something better for HTPC use let me know

MOBO: 85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130529

RAM: 105 Corsair ValueSelect 2x512
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

Optical: 31 Lite-ON
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106014

Case: 100 Antec NSK2400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129014
R3MF those cases looked very nice, but were a bit outside my planned budget, the antec case suggested bymshan looks like the best choice, I have one question, will the PSU be strong enough for running dual tuners and possibly a mid grade graphics card? (I'm looking down the road with the graphics card, I probably won?t purchase one now)

Tuners: 142 Hauppauge PVR 500 MCE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815116628
I don't know much about these cards, I have a PVR 150 that works fine, and this card says it can record HD and has a dual tuner, so it looks good to me.

I have a bluetooth keyboard/mouse and monitor for now, I work at best buy so I am going to buy a 42" samsung soon. HDD's are taken care of, I have a copy of windows, anything else I am missing?

 

[mshan]

For PVR cards, here's a pretty good guide:
http://www.htpcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=193&Itemid=29

For HTPC (viewing dvds and HDTV), the integrated graphics are probably more than enough.

If you feel you need more video power, this seems like a nice choice (Newegg has had $20 rebates recently):
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130029

If you need an awesome software DVD player, Theatertek is awesome (has been on say for $50 during most recent holidays).

If you can get it at an employee discount at Best Buy, the Westinghouse 37 inch 1920 x 1080 LCD panel is geting raves at AVSForum.com:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=655280

 

[Bobthelost]

Why dual core?

An old 2500+ is more than you need for a dual tuner HTPC. I'm doing something similar on a semperon 3000.

 

[mshan]

I've got a single core AMD Athlon64 Venice 3200+ and it's much better than the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ I used to own.

It consumes less power, is easier to cool, and seems like the Athlon64 mobos have more bandwidth than the Nforce2 mobos (HDTV doesn't stutter while doing anything else, unless my Biostar M7NCG rev. 7.2).

Dual core is supposed to make multi-tasking smoother, but single core is probably sufficient for basic websurfing and htpc needs.

 

[Slammy1]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Why dual core?

An old 2500+ is more than you need for a dual tuner HTPC. I'm doing something similar on a semperon 3000.

You know, there are people running c2d systems that are processor limited in dvd resize/sharpening. I can just barely run limitedsharpen with a 3.0c o/c to 3.3, and to do it right I hear you really need a speedy dual core not just a hual core.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Slammy1

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Why dual core?

An old 2500+ is more than you need for a dual tuner HTPC. I'm doing something similar on a semperon 3000.

You know, there are people running c2d systems that are processor limited in dvd resize/sharpening. I can just barely run limitedsharpen with a 3.0c o/c to 3.3, and to do it right I hear you really need a speedy dual core not just a hual core.

Yeah, that's nice dear. Now remind me where the OP says he will be doing that. If the OP had said "i will be doing transcoding" then i'd be crying out for a faster dual core. But since he isn't, i'm not.

 

[Slammy1]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Slammy1

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Why dual core?

An old 2500+ is more than you need for a dual tuner HTPC. I'm doing something similar on a semperon 3000.

You know, there are people running c2d systems that are processor limited in dvd resize/sharpening. I can just barely run limitedsharpen with a 3.0c o/c to 3.3, and to do it right I hear you really need a speedy dual core not just a hual core.

Yeah, that's nice dear. Now remind me where the OP says he will be doing that. If the OP had said "i will be doing transcoding" then i'd be crying out for a faster dual core. But since he isn't, i'm not.

This isn't OT, I think you should limit troll efforts to there. Why htpc if you're not going to sharpen? Do you even have an htpc?


EDIT: I apologize for making a rough statement like that, it's not right when you were trying to help the guy. And you are spot on about minimum specs for hdtv, that alone demonstrates that you have knowledge on the matter. I could claim long work week and such, but there's no excusing bad manners on my part.

 

[xbassman]

For HTPC (viewing dvds and HDTV), the integrated graphics are probably more than enough

I have heard this before, but with my HTPC this isn't true.

Using a dedicated NVidia 6200 I could view studder free 720P HD, but 1080i would studder.
I upgraded video to a Nvidia 6600GT AGP card and all is well. No probs using dual tuners either with a 2500+ Barton.

BTW- I am getting Dolby surround with a basic Nforce2 board. (Realtek 650) Nvidia Purevideo allows pass-thru via S/PDIF. Then my receiver does all the work.

 

[Slammy1]

GPU is usage dependent, but even lower end will run a cheap card to take resources off the MoBo. I guess a lot of how high end to go is dependent on use, but a cheap DVI card would be a good addition. For more advanced (non-gaming) 7600 seems the current choice.

 

[saabman]

Using a dedicated NVidia 6200 I could view studder free 720P HD, but 1080i would studder.
I upgraded video to a Nvidia 6600GT AGP card and all is well. No probs using dual tuners either with a 2500+ Barton.

IIRC, the onboard 6150 solutions are more like 6600 video card solutions with respect to hardware acceleration features like De-Interlacing and Inverse Telecine for htpc use. The 6150 onboard video has more htpc capabilities than the 6200 video cards (check out nvidia's website for a comparison).

 

[Varun]

I have dual ATI Theater 550 tuners and I absolutely love them. The picture quality is amazing, however they will not do OTA HD. MCE will support 4 tuners, so other than cost it's not a big deal to buy three.

I got a survey from Nvidia which was promising - they had questions about would I purchase a dual tuner card from them if it did SDTV AND decoded HDTV from cable. I would buy that one in a heartbeat but it's not out yet.

I have a Thermaltake Tenor HTPC case which I like the look of, and the case is OK but with most HTPC cases there are some comprimises. I did a review of it here:
Thermaltake Tenor
With some mods to the case I like it a lot. It looks great in my component rack.

I like your dual core idea. Although my 2500+ is fine for the HTPC needs, it would be nice to be able to convert the files to .wmv right on the media PC. Right now I move them to my main rig for that which is a bit of a pain. Try really hard to get a low wattage 3800+ if you can, but I think you would need to go to AM2 for that.

Cooling is really the hardest part of a HTPC, so really try to pick components that run cooler right out of the box such as the low wattage AM2 chips I suggested above and ATI motherboards. I have a 6600GT in my HTPC and that thing is killing me heat wise.

Good luck, building my HTPC was likely my most rewarding computer project I have ever done.

 

[master7045]

Thanks for the advice everyone and the review of the HTPC case varun, I have a few questions still, has anybody used the antec case I have listed, and if so, would they reccomend it for my use. I have a Pentium D820 now and it is a spaceheater like everyone says and I am selling it before I start this build; I have heard that the X2's are a heck of a lot cooler and still offer great performance that is why I have chosen to use it.
Has anyone had any heat related issues with any of the components I have listed? I know that in such tight quarters, things can heat up quickly, and will the provided PSU with the antec case provide enough power for a low end PCIe graphics card if added later on down the road?

 

[xbassman]

While I have never used the Antec case you are considering, it sure looks like they did a good job with its layout. The fans that come with it aren't all that bad IMHO. (set on low)
If they are too loud for your living space Jab-Tech has Yate Loons @ $4 a pop.

The case I am using wasn't set up nearly as well. (an old Aopen model) It was one of a small few I could find at that time that would fit in my audio cabinet. I wound up having to do a few mods to keep things cool. After cutting and intake fan hole and making a CPU duct, My CPU temps top out @ around 47C (running Folding@Home) Actually I feel pretty good about that since during HD playback my 6600GT reached >70C.

The power supply should be sufficient for an HTPC.

If they made that case when I was in the market I probably would have bought it myself.

 

[Operandi]

You want to go AM2, not 939 at this point; I would suggest this MSI K9NGM2-FID.

The Antec case/PSU combo is not a very good idea considering the quality of Antec's cases and reliability of their PSUs. This Silverstone looks nice as dose this Lian Li.

For the PSU, I would go with the Seasonic 330 watt S12.

I'm not much of a fan of Lite-On drives; they tend to be loud and the quality just doesn?t seem to be there. I would suggest this Samsung.

 

[master7045]

After reading up on the AM2 chips and boards, I am considering going to an AM2 build mainly because of the lower power consumption; even though the difference is marginal, since this will be in a HTPC case, I figured it would be worth it. the cost of the the same X2 3800+ is the same which is nice, I found this MOBO: ASUS M2N PV-VM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131014 which uses the same video processor and to me looks like a good board. Also the ASUS costs the same as the MSI that you all have suggested. Please note, I will not be overclocking or anything like that, so the issues with OC limitations don't apply to me

The only difference in cost is the ram, and I found this corsair 1GB kit for only 35 dollars more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145566. I know that AM2 ram needs to be a certain voltage, and I think this kit was compatible at 1.9V

thanks for the tips!

Any other input on cases, I always thought Antec was the brand to go with when it came to PC cases and PSU's.

 

[Varun]

Antec does make good cases, but HTPC cases are a very personal thing. I can't stand the look of any of their HTPC cases. I really like thier tower cases.

I still think Antec makes decent PSUs (Although a lot of people here disagree I have been running several of them 24/7 for years with no issues at all), but Seasonic really has the edge right now with quality and noise. The 120mm fan in the Seasonic really helps with cooling a tight space such as the HTPC environment. I would also recommend the Seasonic 330w.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: master7045
After reading up on the AM2 chips and boards, I am considering going to an AM2 build mainly because of the lower power consumption; even though the difference is marginal, since this will be in a HTPC case, I figured it would be worth it. the cost of the the same X2 3800+ is the same which is nice, I found this MOBO: ASUS M2N PV-VM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131014 which uses the same video processor and to me looks like a good board. Also the ASUS costs the same as the MSI that you all have suggested. Please note, I will not be overclocking or anything like that, so the issues with OC limitations don't apply to me

The only difference in cost is the ram, and I found this corsair 1GB kit for only 35 dollars more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145566. I know that AM2 ram needs to be a certain voltage, and I think this kit was compatible at 1.9V

thanks for the tips!

Any other input on cases, I always thought Antec was the brand to go with when it came to PC cases and PSU's.

Antec do make some pretty nice cases; but their PSU's are questionable at best. Just do a search or a little bit of browsing and you find several people with dead Antecs. Far too many then what would be explained by a normal failure. If you could get the case without the PSU for $60 or less then you would have a better deal but as it is $90 for that case & PSU is no bargain.

Also there is no reason to go with expensive XMS RAM for a HTPC; simple value RAM from Crucial, Kingston, or Corsair will be fine.

 

[master7045]

what about this case? http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BdMTmscBYL0RWMDj6EqVbjA**.node1%7D/product/4898990;jsessionid=dMTmscBYL0RWMDj6EqVbjA**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
it comes with an optional 400W PSU but I have no idea if its a good one or not, I read one review here (http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/Ultra_MicroFly/index.shtml) and they seemed to like it. has anybody used this before?

 

[Slammy1]

Here's a place to read up some on case considerations.
A-Tech Case Thread