Possible to build a cheap HTPC?

[heymrdj]

Ok I'm personally at ends here. I have researched and research and read books, for some reason I still can't get an idea of what to put into an HTPC.

Its pretty basic want. Something I can put into my room so I can watch the animes and do other things like that. So I'm hoping that some of my buddies (Panama Red, whom I want to personally thank again for the advice on overclocking my Intel, it wouldn't have been possible without you dude, Cricket, and others) and anyone else that can offer good sound advice will help explain thsi out to me.

I know this, I need a small HTPC case I can set on a shelf that can be a bit bigger than a VCR. I need it to be able to handle VLC player to play ALL forms of videos, some like some HD mkv's can require up to 65% of my computer's 2.8GHZ HT P4 processor.

I also need it to be able to play Runescape, a java game which can use 70% of my current processor's power. On my brothers computer, a 2.53GHZ P4 with 533 bus, it uses 100% all the time. He can hardly do anything else while the application is running. Other things like Yahoo messenger (I use Trillian Basic) and WMP11 have to be able to run as well, so I'll probably need 1GB memory since my current 512 just reaches its limit doing those two things.

Don't really need a big HD, seeing as its main job will be streaming from the media stored on my other computers hard drive.

A DVD burner would be nice.

I don't know what to do for graphics and sound. I want it to connect to my tv via RCA or Svid. Having RCA inputs to record tv shows would be nice but not necessary. As for sound, I have an adapter that can convert from minijack to stereo RCA so I think any onboard sound will work. I'm just plugging it into my Panasaonic SC-AK610 stereo, so I won't need 5.1 or anything.

I want it to be able to stay cool, what coolers work?. It will have to be low profile right?

The system will connect via a WMP54G wireless card to my currently expanding home network :P.

I see in alot of HTPC's these tiny little PSU's that aren't really whole PSU's, just liek this lil main board with a few caps on it. Can these honestly run any decent system?

I would like it to be Core 2, but whatever gets the job done. Bro was even thinking one of those old Opterons they are starting to get rid of for 25$ or something like that. As far as company allegience, I don't care as long as its the biggest bang for my buck in the budget line.

As I said I don't need performance. I can play UT2004 1024x768 all high setting on this computer with a GeForce 4 440MX 8x AGP card, so I imagine just about anything newer can do that. It won't be a gamer rig anyways. Mainly just entertainment to get all my MP3's and my 320GB of shows accessible to my room on my television and stereo.

And please, don't give me the google is your friend and that kind of stuff. I've honestly been trying to learn, but I don't understand the fact that HTPC's have such small PSU's and everything. How does anything get put in without burning the scrawny PSU out.

[TimPoet]

What does HTPC mean?

Hyper Threading?

Home Theater?

[heymrdj]

Originally Posted by TimPoet What does HTPC mean? Hyper Threading? Home Theater?

HTPC= Home Theater PC

It's a special setup that allows you to have a computer in your entertainment room, so you are no longer limited to disks, but can do on your big screen and surround sound that you could do on a normal computer. Game, watch movies, listen to music ect. There's a lot of specialty parts, like PSU's, cases, and coolers all for the HTPCs.

[newbuilder14]

Given your requirements, here is what I would do :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129131 - CASE & PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106043 - DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106 - HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005 - CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030 - MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102641 - VID CARD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116625 - TV TUNER
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116171 - WIN XP

That is really as much as I can recommend as I do not truly know the norm for HTPCs and what your needs really require in terms of power. I personally think that would make for a nice setup, though.

[Mr.Ferrari]

First give us your budget.

Second, please do correct me, but from what I understand your using this just a way to play your recorded shows from your present hard drive (from the network perhaps?) on a tv right? Like, do you or do not plan on recording live tv?

Most if not all modern videocards do come with Svideo and dvi. Some even with composite. Just hook it up to your tv.

And about those little powersupplies. Yes what your thinking of is the PicoPSU. Its basically a modified ATX connector with a mainboard. If i remember correctly it comes in 120W and maybe 200W flavors. Its only suitable for low power setups with low voltage processors and the such. For you it will not be feasable.

As far as the case goes, just go to newegg and select microatx Desktops. Pick something you like. I personally like the Antec NSK2400.

[heymrdj]

I was hoping a budget of 500$ or so. I was curious though....Is it possible to build a higher performance rig into these kinds of cases? OR does heat become an issue? I was thinking last night that maby its time to replace this desktop. Like would a Core 2 6600 and a X1800XT graphics card run stably in there?

[Mr.Ferrari]

The only case that would come close would be the Antec NSK2400. The big attraction of it is the fact that it uses 2 120mm fans and divides the compartments up. However the powersupply in there will not be sufficient for such a setup. Even if you could keep it cool, the noise factor will totallly defy the purpose of a htpc.

Since your not upconverting, enhancing, or recording live TV then you dont need a tv tuner. Just a basic computer in a htpc case.

My favorite case brands for small form factor HTPC's would be Ahanix, NmediaPC, Antec, Silverstone. The Antec NSK2400 comes with a 380w psu that will save you costs.

For $500 I would look into a socket 939 AMD setup, as the chips are cheap and they run cool. For videocard I would look into a low-end X1300 without hypermemory. 512mb of ram should be sufficient, 1gb if budget allows.

[heymrdj]

Mr Ferrari...Is it possible to stick a larger PSU in that case? Or is it not a standard ATX size unit?

[newbuilder14]

Yes, the power supply is an ATX12v 2.0.

You know, if you wanted another idea for a very budget friendly HTPC, then get a Sempron 3000+, Abit NF-M2, and 512mb Corsair ValueSelect.

[Mr.Ferrari]

The powersupply is not proprietary to the case. However there is a very limited amount of space between the powersupply and the chassis bars. So if you ever do plan on replacing make sure you double check the dimensions.