OK.. Decided to build my first HTPC

[mattbizkit]

I"m going to attempt to build my first htpc and need some good ideas. I'm looking for it to play blu ray at the best frame rate possible 1080p. I also know I want a low profile case something that blends in with the entertainment center. I will want hdmi for video and sound. I will also be replacing my calbe dvr so I will need a good hd cable card. A few questions I have are does it matter if I have dual core or quad core? also does it matter if I have a adm or intel, I know adm is usually cheaper but is there any benefits to one or the other? and what kind of graphics card do I need if I will be doing no gaming at all but plenty of watching bluray and HD content. i'm thinking of a price range of 600 not including software. I'm willing to budge if something is a must have to make it that much better. Thaks for all the ideas in advance.

[jdeb]

ASUS AT5IONT-I Intel Atom D525 (1.8GHz, dual-core) $179.99
this board does have Direct X acceleration (DXVA (bitstream acceleration over the GPU)
Newegg.com - ASUS AT5IONT-I Intel Atom D525 (1.8GHz, dual-core) BGA559 Intel NM10 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo

2 - Kingston 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM Unbuffered DDR3 800 System $37.99 x 2
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM Unbuffered DDR3 800 System Specific Memory Model KVR800D3S8S6/2G

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM $87.99
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

AVerMedia AVerTVHD Duet - PCTV Tuner $64.99
Newegg.com - AVerMedia AVerTVHD Duet - PCTV Tuner (A188 - White Box) - TV Tuners & Video Devices

O.K., you are at $408.95 without a case, BR drive, or operating system. You can add 100.00 for an OS. The BR drive will depend on your case, stay away from LG, and Samsung drives. Sony, Liteon and Asus will be best. As far as HTPC cases are concerned, Silverstone and Antec make quality boxes and have a nice range but they can be pricey. Here is a link for the cases...

Newegg.com - HTPC / Media Center Cases

You may want to download Media Player Classic Home Cinema
http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/

[mattbizkit]

would this work in a htpc. or should i get a separate boot drive. everyone always suggests wd black just curious as to why. this samsung seems to get really good reviews


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152245

[glc]

Why? Proven speed and reliability. Samsung drives do not have proven reliability.

[mattbizkit]

a few parts I think I have decided on. still looking for more ideas or tweaks.

Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor 114.0
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM 74.99
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" 89.99 w/promo code
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive


still thinking on the case and not sure if i would need a video card or if that cpu is good enough to run 1080p bluray

[David M]

[QUOTE=mattbizkit;1483740 I'm looking for it to play blu ray at the best frame rate possible 1080p.[/QUOTE]

Movies are filmed at 24 frames per second. Television shows are recorded at up to 60 frames per second. No Bluray player, video card or TV set is going to be able to speed up the original source material.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by mattbizkit would this work in a htpc. or should i get a separate boot drive. everyone always suggests wd black just curious as to why. this samsung seems to get really good reviews Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

glc is correct, they are not trust worthy ever since the 7200.10. You can always add a larger external drive, that board has an external eSata II port.

As far as your case, I prefer the looks of the Silverstones myself. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163166 keep in mind, this case requires you to purchase a power supply

[glc]

Stay away from G.skill ram, major quality and compatibility issues recently.

Jdeb, the 7200.10 is Seagate, not Samsung..........

You are going to have to find a motherboard compatible with your case if you want an i3. The Atom setup first recommended is a board/processor combo.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc Stay away from G.skill ram, major quality and compatibility issues recently. Jdeb, the 7200.10 is Seagate, not Samsung.......... You are going to have to find a motherboard compatible with your case if you want an i3. The Atom setup first recommended is a board/processor combo.

oops, thats right, what was I thinking

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by mattbizkit a few parts I think I have decided on. still looking for more ideas or tweaks. Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor 114.0 Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM 74.99 Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" 89.99 w/promo code Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive still thinking on the case and not sure if i would need a video card or if that cpu is good enough to run 1080p bluray

so I take it you are not into the atom cpu/motherboard combo? I was trying to keep you within your budget. When you match a board with that cpu, you are going to be going over your budget and it will be hard to find a case that is slim. Additionally, the ram is not a good match for the chipset, the ripjaws have had their issues. I also would not touch that hard drive with a ten foot pole. The recommendations I gave you match your needs but to each his own.

[David M]

Read about why this drive is suitable for A/V applications. I hacked my DVR and installed this one....
WD AV-GP ( WD20EURS )

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by David M Read about why this drive is suitable for A/V applications. I hacked my DVR and installed this one.... WD AV-GP ( WD20EURS )

Those are good when they work, I had a couple of D.O.A.'s in a row, very frustrating. The third was a charm. I bought one to add to my DVR (external) and has been good now for three months.

[David M]

That's what a warranty is for.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by David M That's what a warranty is for.

right, MicroCenter was real good about it.

[mattbizkit]

will that combo board that jdeb mentions play 1080p with no problem because I saw a couple reviews where they said it had trouble with 1080p.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by mattbizkit will that combo board that jdeb mentions play 1080p with no problem because I saw a couple reviews where they said it had trouble with 1080p.

That's because they don't know how to read the manual. You get full 1080P. You have to enable the acceleration
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

[David M]

...rtfm! heh