New HTPC

[dB79 0]

Hi all,

 

I'm new on this forum and hope to find some tips, hints and help with putting together a new HTPC.

Quite some years ago I was pretty up-to-date with (building)computers and computer hardware, but things evolved so fast in the hardware world that I lost track on what's hot and what's not.

 

So I hope you guys can help me out a bit.

 

I'm looking for a HTPC mainly for streaming movies, record/watch cable tv and maybe some games.

 

I looked up some configurations online, but they easily vary from under 500 dollars to way over 1000.

My budget is about 700 dollars.

 

I found someone elses 'dream' HTPC online which would be about $200 over my budget, because I still need to add a TV-card and some small stuff:

 

- nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Steel HTPC 2000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case ($90)

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811204032

I do want a case like this (wife approval factor)

 

- MSI LGA1155/Intel P67 B3/DDR3/SATA3&USB3.0/A&GbE/ATX Motherboard P67A-GD65 (B3)($153)

http://www.amazon.co...=A3EEXTUSWX65VPhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB Desktop Hard Drive WD20EARX ($120)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card ($186)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Intel Core i5-2500K Processor ($220)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black) ($17)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit for Intel Core i3, i5, i7 ($50)

http://www.amazon.co...=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQShttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

I think this machine would be a beast and might be a bit over the top.

 

The questions are:

- Do I need a GPU or is onboard video enough.

- Do I need a soundcard? The HTPC would be connected via optical to Entertainment system.

- Would an i3 Processor be enough.

- Is 4GB or even 2Gb of DDR3 not more than enough?

- Which TV-card works best with Cable TV (Time Warner)

 

If you have (better) alternatives, please feel free to respond!!!

 

Thank you so much in advance!

 

Rob

[Dave 435]

You have a decent list so far but I'll let the HTPC professionals chime in about the TV cards. I use the HD Home Run boxes and they work well for what I need. I personally would look at getting a small SSD drive for the OS and use the 2TB drive for recorded TV storage. The acceptance factor goes up tremendously with the faster boot times on the SSD. I like 4GB of as well. I use an Atom board and it works great for Media Center although I would now like to have at least an i3.

 

Maybe somebody can recommend a motherboard that has HDMI out built in and you could test on that and upgrade to a discreet if needed.

 

Here is my HTPC that I built out of an old Tivo box.

http://homeservershow.com/converting-a-tivo-series-1-into-a-windows-media-center.html

[pcdoc 114]

Hi all,

 

I'm new on this forum and hope to find some tips, hints and help with putting together a new HTPC.

Quite some years ago I was pretty up-to-date with (building)computers and computer hardware, but things evolved so fast in the hardware world that I lost track on what's hot and what's not.

 

So I hope you guys can help me out a bit.

 

I'm looking for a HTPC mainly for streaming movies, record/watch cable tv and maybe some games.

 

I looked up some configurations online, but they easily vary from under 500 dollars to way over 1000.

My budget is about 700 dollars.

 

I found someone elses 'dream' HTPC online which would be about $200 over my budget, because I still need to add a TV-card and some small stuff:

 

- nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Steel HTPC 2000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case ($90)

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811204032

I do want a case like this (wife approval factor)

 

- MSI LGA1155/Intel P67 B3/DDR3/SATA3&USB3.0/A&GbE/ATX Motherboard P67A-GD65 (B3)($153)

http://www.amazon.co...=A3EEXTUSWX65VPhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB Desktop Hard Drive WD20EARX ($120)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card ($186)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Intel Core i5-2500K Processor ($220)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black) ($17)

http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

- Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit for Intel Core i3, i5, i7 ($50)

http://www.amazon.co...=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQShttp://www.assoc-ama...et-20&l=ur2&o=1

 

I think this machine would be a beast and might be a bit over the top.

 

The questions are:

- Do I need a GPU or is onboard video enough.

- Do I need a soundcard? The HTPC would be connected via optical to Entertainment system.

- Would an i3 Processor be enough.

- Is 4GB or even 2Gb of DDR3 not more than enough?

- Which TV-card works best with Cable TV (Time Warner)

 

If you have (better) alternatives, please feel free to respond!!!

 

Thank you so much in advance!

 

Rob

 

 

You do not need a GPU for an HTPC in terms of playback. Gaming however is a different story. The system you have defined is more like a mid range gaming rig (except for the case) than an HTPC. I would start with an SSD and drop the GPU as you can always add that later. Any Z68 or H67 or Z77 board should have HDMI that will work fine with the setup. If you want a bit more graphics power, consider the the Ivy Bridge (3450/3570) for about the same price. Get a third gen processor with a Z77 board. You do not need a sound board with most current day motherboards but the Z77 allegedly have better sound (not proven).

[ikon 439]

As pcdoc says, an H67 will work. I'm using an Asus P8H67-M Pro connected to my 60" Bravia. When using it as a computer (like right now to type this), the text is very clear on screen.

[jmwills 284]

An i3 will be more than plenty unless you plan to transcode. The above mentioned H67 board will handle sounds and graphics with no issue. Just make sure you get a processor with on board graphics. You could probably save another $40 by looking at SilverStone cases (see signature) and less expensive 2TB drives should be in the $99 range.

[krom 2]

@jmwills I'm not sure moving to a SilverStone would result in any savings as the case he has spec'ed out is only $90. But I think Tim Daleo had an issue with an nMediaPC case he used on a build a while ago. BTW I also have a SilverStone GD05 as well as an Antec Fusion 430 and I'm happy with both cases.

[ikon 439]

FWIW, here's my HTPC build that uses the Asus P8H67-M Pro mobo I mentioned above and a SilverStone case. I am using the onboard video and sound. Both are via HDMI out of the HTPC.

[jmwills 284]

I think my SilverStone case was around $65 on sale, regularly $90. One of my HTPC's has the same board as ikon, so here's two votes for that one.

[krom 2]

@jmwills. My mistake...I have the GD06. That would explain it.

[Guest no-control]

This machine is so overkill its not even funny...Not to mention no one even noticed you no OS and you have nothing to power it with!

 

changes I highly suggest

 

Motherboard - $60

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128524

 

Celeron G530 - $50

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819116409

 

Team 4GB 2x2GB RAM - $23

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820313072

 

Corsair CX430 PSU - $25

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139026

 

OCZ Octane 64GB SSD - $60

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227775

 

1TB WD 7200RPM HDD - $99

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136767

 

Windows 7 HP - $99

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986

 

Plus your case and ODD $90 & $18 respectively total is $525 not including tax or shipping. well under your budget. Add a Ceton quad cable tuner for $150 and your @ $675.

 

If you want to do some casual gaming wait another month buy and Xbox 360 for $200 or a refurb for $150.

Edited June 15, 2012 by no-control