94Camaro Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 I'm contemplating building a new machine to operate as a home theater/media server. Unfortunately, I've fallen behind on the new pc technology, so I need your guys' advice. I'll be using the machine for: 1080p video - HDMI and blu-ray/dvd/cd drive required Multi-channel digital audio out - preferably with coax AND optical. If I have to chose only one, I'd take coax. Internet streaming video/music - 802.11g preferred Media storage - I've never used a RAID configuration, but I'm thinking RAID 1 might be a good idea? So an onboard RAID controller would be nice. Maybe 2x1TB to start. Maybe light gaming - stuff like Simcity 4 or older games like Ravenshield. I have the feeling I won't like gaming on a large tv. Backing up movies and compressing them with AutoGK Maybe a low capacity hard drive (~100GB?) for OS/software outside the RAID array? I've been looking around some, and I'm partial to this case. I am still open to other options though. I'll likely either wait until Win7 is out before building this or run the RC on it for awhile. I don't think I need anything too powerful to handle this, aside from the video encoding. And that's mostly CPU work right? But like I said, I've been out of the loop for awhile. Would some of the new onboard graphic chipsets from Ati and Nvidia be sufficient for my requirements? Or do I still need a dedicated card? And budget, always the hardest part eh? I've already got a few grand in my sound system, so I'm not against spending what it takes to get a quality system, but I obviously don't want to blow a bunch of cash. So use your judgement to build a system that meets my needs at a decent price. So, throw up your build suggestions guys. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kash Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 I would definitely recommend Windows 7 for an HTPC. The Media Center on it is just fantastic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Smith Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 (edited) I took into account that you might not want it to cost you one arm and one leg. Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131318 CPU : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819103300 RAM : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227195 Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16829132006 Open box: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...82E16829132006R PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817703017 HDD1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148373 x2 for RAID 1 HDD2 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148397 for OS All of that will fit in the Lian-Li case you were looking at. The onboard graphics can run 1080p no problem. The sound card will allow you to get the best out of your sound system, however there might be better choices than this one, I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to sound cards. You have a RAID 1 array and a 160GB for the OS. Alternatively, you could replace it by a SSD. The PSU is certified 80 plus efficiency Good luck edit: Alternatively you could go with this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813130222 Edited May 2, 2009 by The Smith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 very nice list... you dont need a very powerful for an HTPC for even 1080P playback....fast network is a MUST...if you plan to stream...if you keep the files on teh HTPC then it isnt as important.. my HTPC is still a NForce 550 chipset with a 4000+ X2 and a 6600gt and it does 1080P no problem.... it's hooked to a gigabit network that the server is also hooked to... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
94Camaro Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Thanks for the list Smith. Looks like a solid build. Any optical drive suggestions? How will that CPU be for re-encoding video? I've been under the impression that Intel processors with the larger onboard cache are currently better in that respect? Would I see any sort of performance boost by going with a SSD? Faster boot times etc? Like I said, I'm behind the times on modern tech. I know this stuff exists, but not how it performs. I'm not worried about network speed, as I'm likely to only be streaming music and compressed video to a laptop. The server function is really secondary to the HTPC function. Anyone else have any build suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 AMD offers the best board options for mATX boards... Intel not so much...but if you are going to encode Intels do it better...there are several people including myself who have Q6600s fr sale for cheap that encode like crazy...and would make good C2Q CPUs for the money... as for an Optical drive I am partial to the Samsung units like the SH-S223 or SH-S221L and then use the firmware tool to remove Riplock and up the rip speeds... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Smith Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Oh I did not take into account that you wanted coaxial... Here is what I would choose as an AMD motherboard. It's the cheapest also. You can also go with a Q6600 but in this case you will end up with a much larger bill. If you go that route, I suggest this motherboard, it's the cheapest with coaxial audio: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16813500019 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 yes if you go intel it will cost more... seems the boards are more expensive and offer less options...thats a down turn for me on my HTPC rigs... and even if you go with a Intel CPU as cheap as the AMD part listed originally it performs the same or less... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
94Camaro Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 (edited) I suppose as a dedicated machine I don't need it to churn through encoding operations at a tremendous speed, so the price point of the AMD does look better. And I'm see that onboard graphics on the intel boards are either non-existent or just suck. Newegg doesn't show it, but the Lian Li website claims that the case I was looking will handle both ATX and micro ATX. Anything you'd change if I went the ATX route with AMD? Maybe this? Thanks for the help so far guys. Edited May 3, 2009 by 94Camaro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 not for me as I will NOT use a Nvidia chipset...to flakey I stay with AMD on ATI.... the ATI onboard chipset graphics are far superior to anything Nvidia currently offers... even the 780G or 790G chipsets make outstanding HTPC board... even if I went with a ATX board I'd go with one that had onboard and Sideport ram... every HTPC box out the door is AMD/ATI for me...unless it's requested otherwise... you just cannot beat them for price vs performance in the HTPC market... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Smith Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Here is another option if you want a little more CPU power: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813157154 I'm not a big fan of ASRock motherboards though, but this one is really cheap and it supports AM3 CPUs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...mp;Tpk=x3%20710 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...mp;Tpk=x3%20720 These ones have the same power consumption as the Athlon mentionned earlier since they are in 45nm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 sorry to butt in, but do you guys think a 3200+ machine with 1.5GB of ddr400 would be a good HTPC or should I update to a dual core? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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