HTPC Purchase feedback wanted

[LeprechaunKing]

Hello all,

Any feedback would be appreciated.

1. PC will be used for watching HD-DVD / DVD and as a DVR for watching/recording/encoding video files for watching later. Will be connected to a 50? DLP KDSR50XBR1 via HDMI and 6.1 Receiver via SPDIF or Optical. I want it to be quiet so I don't feel the need to turn off at night or hear fans / hd over quiet movie scenes.

2. Budget of under ~1500. Will need to buy remote and few other things later after main components.

3. Parts will be purchased in US

4. I don't have a brand preference specifically but enjoy Seagate for 5-year warranty on HDDs.

5. Will use existing DVD and XBOX HD-DVD drive.

6. I spent some time reading AVS Forum on specific overscan issues and typical builds. I looked quickly here but didn't see much on my selected mobo.

7. I do not plan on overclocking heavily but want to make sure my components would be compatible for small adjustments.

SILVERSTONE LASCALA 10 CS-SST-LC10B
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811163033
Model #: CS-SST-LC10B
$99.99

GIGABYTE GA-G33M-S2H LGA 775 Intel G33 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813128063
Model #: GA-G33M-S2H
$119.99

AVerMedia AVerTV Combo PCIe ATSC/NTSC/QAM TV Tuner Card (White Box)w/L-P Bracket - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16815100015
Model #: 7 95522 96058 0
$88.95

Note: I like the HD option, otherwise would go with a Hauppage option.

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply -
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16817139001
Model #: CMPSU-520HX
$124.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115017
Model #: BX80562Q6600
$279.99

x 2 - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820231098
Model #: F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
$99.98 total

Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16835185046
Model #: SCMNJ-1000
$29.99

Hard drives - whatever goes on sale this week.. Probably Seagate or Samsung SATA 3GB 500/750/1GB drives x2.

Will use existing DVD-ROM and 360HD-DVD drive. probably will purchase multi-drive in future if this looks to work well.

Subtotal: $843.88 +HDDs

 

[Blain]

You can save $$ right off the bat by switching to a dual core rather than quad core.
You just don't need the extra horsepower for your tasks.

Use the savings to buy a LIAN LI PC-C30B.
It's 80mm rear fans will work out better for you than the Silverstone's 60's.

Get a couple of Samsung Spinpoint T series HDs.

You should have some sort of video card. An ATI 2600XT strikes a good balance between...
image quality / performance / price / power consumption.

Is there some reason you've avoided the TV Wonder 650 based PCI-Express cards?

Huge question is what TV program software will you be using?
If you're scanning the AVS forums, you know that software has a lot to do with an enjoyable PC/TV experience.

Are you planning on using "onboard audio" and not a dedicated sound card?
I would go with a sound card.

 

[LeprechaunKing]

Thanks much for the feedback.

Edit: I had considered going dual core... Will think about this some more based on other component suggestions.

I opted out of video card as most owners of this mobo chose it specifically because it does onboard HDCP with HDMI out. I'm planning on trying this as-is before seeing if I need to purchase a card. Also, it has onboard 7.1 so unless there is some reason to make me purchase a separate sound card, I'd like to avoid doing so.

I understand what you are saying on the Quad Core but it didnt seem like too much difference, and i would like to encode some of my older TV recordings to a compressed format so thought the extra cores would be helpful there for the extra few bucks.

I hadn't looked into the TW Wonder cards, as I didn't see them come up in any of the threads I read. I had a previous ATI AIW and hated the performance and quality. I've always heard good things about hauppage and then read the card I chose was selected by prior hauppage owners and said it was as good or better plus included HD recording functionality.

Software is still up in the air since I can use trials and see what I like without a huge cost investment. I have a copy of vista ultimate so I will probably start with Vista Media Center and then go from there.

Thanks again!

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: LeprechaunKing
I hadn't looked into the TW Wonder cards, as I didn't see them come up in any of the threads I read.

TV Wonder discussion thread.

 

[Blain]

I'm crazy about BeyondTV for my TV software! :thumbsup::laugh:

 

[heyheybooboo]

Best I can tell on the AVS Forums onboard sound on the Gigabyte mobos is the way to go. Not sure how that tuner card you selected handles AC3 audio, however.

No reason for an EPS power supply.

No direct experience but I think the consensus is the ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 IGP on the AMD 690s is preferable over the Intel IGP - review the AVS Forum for more info. The Gigabyte AMD 690g version mobo is around $35 less.

As noted above you've got way too much cpu. A low-wattage cpu is the way to go. A 65w AMD (not intending a fanboy flame war) would save you almost $200 over the quad.

The HD2600xt or nvidia 8600 will substantially reduce cpu utilization because of hardware vc1/h264 off-loading.

I'm a big fan of the Fusion ATSC tuners for OTA and QAM. Really pricy compared to your selection - the Fusion also has a remote and can turn your computer on/off for scheduled recording. Here is a HDTV Tuner Card & USB HDTV Tuner Chart

 

[LeprechaunKing]

Thanks again for the recommendations.

So I thought about the Antec Eathwatts, but think I want the modular PS to elimate extra cables, and increase airflow.
Thermaltake TR2 RX W0146RU ATX12V Ver2.2 450W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153057

I also agree that I like the LIAN LI case better, and I won't have a need for the extra space offered by the Silverstone.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112126

Thanks for the feedback on capture cards. Since the Fusion only supports HD or SD at a time, and the ATI doesn't support Vista yet I think I am okay with my selection, since they are all rated similarly.

The processor/video card / mobo discussion has me really unsure of what I want to do. I'd like to think the onboard video will work well, but if it doesn't then I don't know if I see a point of going with this specific mobo since it has other limitations x4 limited x16 PCI-E if I am going to be throwing in a video card.

If I limit the processor I may need to go with the video card, and unless I choose a close to passive one, I could see this as a noise concern.

If I do step down to a C2D, are Allendale cores ok, and I assume most would recommend the 65w for lower consumption.. such as

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Processor - $129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115031

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Processor - Retail
$149
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115032

It looks like the Asus ASUS P5K-VM LGA 775 Intel G33 is the same price, and doesn't have the x4 PCI-E limitation. I did find a mostly silent card:

HIS Hightech H260XTFZ512DDN-R Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB
$125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16814161177

ATI or NVidia is fine so if there is a side by side comparison of similar cards, that are both quiet I could go either way.

Any last comments/sugestions would be appreciated. I think I understand the tradeoff to go with a lower cpu/ but dedicated video card. I think I just want confirmation on which Duo is the best bang for buck.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: LeprechaunKing
I think I understand the tradeoff to go with a lower cpu/ but dedicated video card.
I think I just want confirmation on which Duo is the best bang for buck.

E2180 @ eWiz