Rate/improve my HTPC build

[ShadowFold]

My dads been wanting to build a HTPC for our front room because our ps3 always starts skipping half way through movies and we have to let it sit for awile so my dad started saving for a HTPC and he told me to put the best stuff together for 1000$ so I came up with this.

SILVERSTONE SG01-BW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163078

Western Digital Caviar 750gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131

AMD Athlon 5400+ 2.8ghz OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103242

XIGMATEK HDT-S963
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001

ASUS 780G AM2+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131273

Lite-On Blu-Ray drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225

SilverStone 500w PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256037

Gskill DDR2-800 2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

I was thinking of just getting a 6400+ or telling him to wait for the Phenom 9100e or something and get a passive cooler with it. I really want to go AMD because the hybrid crossfire should help with HD playback.

[erocker]

I like it a lot! I would try to possibly find a cheap 3850 if possible.:)

[fitseries3]

you could buy my 1tb drive for a little more $. i like the silverstone case

[nguyenpeter76]

hard to improve something that looks so good :D

[ktr]

I dunno about the card. You should get one with HDMI w/audio.

[Mussels]

my advice is cooling. go a little cheaper on the CPU (seriously NO quad is worth it for a media only PC) and get better cooling. Get a big ass 120mm or 92mm tower heastsink, giant fan for the video card, and silent case fans.

Using a PS3 for the media you might be used to some fan noise, but there is nothing that annoys me more than having to turn volume up to counter background noise.


oh and as for crossfire/hybrid - it doesnt help HD playback. thats all about the primary video card, and not media decoding. Base it purely on the HD decoding ability of the add in card, hybrid crossfire will only kick up 3D performance - and you wouldnt even need acceleration on anything less than a 4200+ anyway.

edit: so i looked at the case and see big coolers may be an issue. Still do what you can, maybe even look for a passive video card at stock - that HIS one will be a screamer. (40mm with static 100%)

[ShadowFold]

Ok I changed the GPU and CPU. HD 3850 512mb and Athlon X2 5400+ gonna be enough? I know the 3850's have great HDMI sound cause I hook my rig up to the tv sometimes to play games.

[Mussels]

that would be more than enough. The only comment i have is that the video is going to use a fair amount of power and heat in a matx system, so if its PURELY for media keep looking for that perfect card - H264/x264 decoding, low/no noise, and low power.

[ShadowFold]

Well noise isnt really an issue. The 3850 does all that decoding stuff great right? Its gonna be using the same card I have right now so I know its fast and silent.

[JrRacinFan]

I give it a 10/10. not anything i would try to improve.

[GameSinewPCs]

If all you're doing is basic functions/playing movies, you won't need a few of the things that you added. If that is the case ^^, save yourself some cash and drop the 3850 (780G is a powerful integrated HD gpu that will handle even Blu-Ray without any issues). Also, drop the CPU down to an X2 4000+ as the 2.8Ghz will be wasted money/Horsepower/electricity. Don't forget to get some thermal grease for that CPU cooler (artic silver 5 or MX-2 are great).

Some thoughts:

-Add a tv tuner for multi-functionality?
-That onboad sound should be great for most purposes, but if you have a high quality home-theatre speaker set, then I recommend adding a dedicated card.
-consider a modular PSU as cables might be tight (your psu is fine otherwise) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194002
-There are Home-theatre Cases available on the market that have added functionality/lower profiles...though that "lan-type" micro ATX case should work fine.

[ShadowFold]

I have MX2 already :) are you sure tho? I heard Blu Ray movies were system hogs. We want skip free playback.

I think im gonna step the card down to a 3450.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102731

[GameSinewPCs]

Indeed I am. If the most intensive thing that you intend to do is play Blu-Ray movies, that is exactly what the 780G chipset was designed to do (and well). Also, it supports Hybrid sli for added capabilities/power saving features. The 780G can decode/playback full 1080p video on a sempron 1.8Ghz processor (single core), though might as well get a dual core for XX more and that much more system reliability/capability.

Edit: I recommend that you try the system out to suit your needs without a video card (you will see for yourself). Afterwards if you are displeased, you can upgrade the card to your liking. Of course it will not hurt to upgrade the processor, but there really should be no need at all. Again, the 780G is not your average integrated graphics solution. They actually imbedded a graphics chip into the chipset designed to decode almost all types of HD Content.

[ShadowFold]

Alright ill just drop the video card. I still want to use the 5400+ tho so I feel safe :p its only 20$ more than a 4000+ anyway.

[GameSinewPCs]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/03/04/amd_780g_chipset/

http://legitreviews.com/article/676/1/

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/03/04/amd_780g_integrated_graphics_chipset/1

For peace of mind :)

Edit:
Alright ill just drop the video card. I still want to use the 5400+ tho so I feel safe :p its only 20$ more than a 4000+ anyway.

I had forgotten about the OEM 5400+ being available so cheap. In that case, that is a good investment.

[GameSinewPCs]

Double post

[EnergyFX]

I second the 1TB HDD suggestion.

Also, look into a company called 'Blackmagic' for a nice HDMI capture solution.

[FatForester]

Looks great, but there's a Seagate with 32mb of cache for the same price. Just something for you to think about :laugh:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148298

[regan1985]

i think you could put a tv card in there and maybe 2 hard drives and get a less powerfull gpu and cpu and maybe even cheaper ram unless your thinking on ripping on it. you want to keeps things cool like people said you dont want a loud pc in your living room other wise its not really a media pc! also look for reviews on the blu ray reader as the one my friend has it also loud when reading disks

[EnglishLion]

I've got a silverstone case for my htpc and they really do look the part! Mine is the LC11M, as you can see below.

http://www.rowan-house.net/forums/lc11m.jpg

In my experience, a cheaper lower spec CPU will easily do the job as will decent onboard graphics. Just make sure that the onboard supports the tv output you need. At the time I searched high and low for decent onboard that supported s-video out!

I settled for an AMD X2 3600+ and it sits most of the time in cool&quiet mode and the cpu fan hardly spins at all, it certainly doesn't get anywhere near full load, even when recording two channels and watching dvd all at the same time.

I can recommend getting a dual tv tuner card, avoiding fitting a seperate gpu as even a passive one will still increase overall heat in the case and other fans will have to compensate. Keeping the case cool and quiet is the key.

BUT... most of all get a decent remote control - the SoundGraph RF remotes are good.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/diy-hd-htpc-extravaganza-part3,review-657-10.html