Help with HTPC remodel

[hyg71886]

I bought a pc and was using it as my htpc and when I tried to add a drive thats when I found the problem. Basically I need a new case, mobo, and psu. I will be using this for mainly htpc and gaming. I'm not sure what case I can fit everything into or what mobo is best. I am open for all suggestions. My budget is 400-500 but if I can spend less I would because I have a baby on the way.

Case: A HTPC case that can house all this or a mid tower to go by the tv stand
PSU: open for suggestion
Mobo:GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
CPUhenom ii x4 920 (amd2)
HDD: Case needs to hold at least 4
RAM: 8gb (have)
Pri Optical: dvd/rw (have)
Sec Optical: Blu ray drive (have)
Sound Card: optional
Video Card: Evga GTX275 (have)
FDD:
Keyboard: Logitech divno mini
Mouse:
Modem:TRENDnet TEW-623PI 32-Bit PCI Rev. 2.1/2.2/2.3 Wireless N-Draft Adapter
Lan:
Monitor: _61in Samsung dlp tv (have)
Speakers: (have)
OS: _win 7 ultimate_x64 with XMBC (have)

[glc]

Could you please tell us WHY you are having a problem with what you have?

[renowilliams]

Originally Posted by hyg71886 I bought a pc and was using it as my htpc and when I tried to add a drive thats when I found the problem. Basically I need a new case, mobo, and psu. I will be using this for mainly htpc and gaming. I'm not sure what case I can fit everything into or what mobo is best. I am open for all suggestions. My budget is 400-500 but if I can spend less I would because I have a baby on the way. Case: A HTPC case that can house all this or a mid tower to go by the tv stand PSU: open for suggestion Mobo:GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H Micro ATX AMD Motherboard CPUhenom ii x4 920 (amd2) HDD: Case needs to hold at least 4 RAM: 8gb (have) Pri Optical: dvd/rw (have) Sec Optical: Blu ray drive (have) Sound Card: optional Video Card: Evga GTX275 (have) FDD: Keyboard: Logitech divno mini Mouse: Modem:TRENDnet TEW-623PI 32-Bit PCI Rev. 2.1/2.2/2.3 Wireless N-Draft Adapter Lan: Monitor: _61in Samsung dlp tv (have) Speakers: (have) OS: _win 7 ultimate_x64 with XMBC (have)

I see you posted this yesterday with no responses yet, so I'll give it a go. I am new to the forum but have been involved with computers a long time.

Firstly, I believe in never going cheap when it comes to power supplies, so my suggestion there would be a Corsair 850 HX series (modular power supply) or Seasonic. I personaly use a Gigabyte motherboard and have been very happy with it, Asus makes good boards as well. I looked up reviews on the board you listed and it sounds like a good board. It has onboard video with HDMI out,which may work out well for you for htpc use. Note: if you use the HDMI out the DVI-D connecton cannot be used at the same time ie: to plug to the monitor. I'm not sure how you plan to connect the pc to your tv. Another way to acess files on your computer is through a DLNA compliant device such as a stand alone bluray player ie: Sony BDP-S570 or a playstation 3. I stream video wireless from pc on my network through my bluray player to my tv. This is just another way to do things. Here is a link explaining how to do this with Windows 7 http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2...windows-7.aspx
I am assuming that you will connect from you pc to an avr to the tv or direct to the tv.

As for the case, anything that will work will do especially if your on a tight buget.

Hope this was helpful.

Tim

[glc]

I think an 850 is overkill. I don't believe in cheap either, but you can get perfectly suitable PSU's for considerably less.

If the only reason you are having issues is you can't fit all your drives into your case, just get a bigger case and transplant everything.

[renowilliams]

I agree that the 850 watt power supply is overkill but the individual is a gamer. I am assuming he will likely be upgrading his video card in the future. As newer high end graphics cards tend to be power hungry,this is why I suggested the 850.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by renowilliams I agree that the 850 watt power supply is overkill but the individual is a gamer. I am assuming he will likely be upgrading his video card in the future. As newer high end graphics cards tend to be power hungry,this is why I suggested the 850.

Its an HTPC not a gaming rig, however a high quality 650 watt power supply will handle any single card on the market right now. Being that its an HTPC build there is no need for high end gaming graphics cards, considering on board graphics will usually work fine for HTPC.

[renowilliams]

Originally Posted by birddog_61 Its an HTPC not a gaming rig, however a high quality 650 watt power supply will handle any single card on the market right now. Being that its an HTPC build there is no need for high end gaming graphics cards, considering on board graphics will usually work fine for HTPC.

I agree, but if you read his post he mentions he wants to game as well.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by renowilliams I agree, but if you read his post he mentions he wants a htpc and he also wants to game.

Missed the gaming part, however the 275 will do some moderate gaming until he can afford a better card. However a high quality 650w PSU will still serve him fine if he decides to upgrade to a gtx 580, he just wont be able to run SLI.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...75,2266-7.html

[renowilliams]

Originally Posted by birddog_61 Missed the gaming part, however the 275 will do some moderate gaming until he can afford a better card. However a high quality 650w PSU will still serve him fine if he decides to upgrade to a gtx 580, he just wont be able to run SLI. Benchmark Results: Far Cry 2 : Nvidia GeForce GTX 275 Preview: A Well-Timed Retaliatory Strike?

Agreed, I just assume that a gamer will want to build on their gaming ie: sli.

[glc]

Using a SLI gaming rig as a HTPC really isn't recommended.

[hyg71886]

Hey sorry for the late response everyone. @ GLC its because they have instead of sata ports on the mobo, they have these prongs that a sata adapter fits on to and they are bent bad because of the graphics card. Also there wasn't enough sata ports to add more drive or anything without losing something else. I don't think I need a 650 power supply when i think that thing came with a 350. Do I game alot, yes and will be buying some headphones (stuck between the black ops trittons or turtle beach ear force dpx21). The main purpose however for this is for my family to enjoy tons of movies and shows. I have every console plus a gaming desktop, the only reason that card is going in there is because I already have it and my 8800 gts (g92) card in my gaming rig is still running strong. Honostly, Looks and functionality as an htpc is my main consern, if I can get a cheap vid card to play 1080p and not stall on me with light gaming, I'm open for suggestions because I'd rather have this on my entrainment stand, not off to the side

@ reno williams
Its connecting to my tv and to my receiver

My main reason for upgrading:
1- Crappy mobo with no expandability and broken proprietary prongs for sata adapters

[glc]

Here is essentially an exact replacement for your motherboard, and it has 6 SATA connectors:

Newegg.com - ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

For HTPC use, use the onboard video.

You are not going to be able to find anything much different that will still take your DDR2 ram.

[jdeb]

Here is the short list of cases you require. I personally recommend the bottom two (Lian Li) based on your needs.

Newegg.com - 4, 2, HTPC / Media Center Cases, Computer Cases, Computer Hardware

In terms of the power supply you may consider this one
Newegg.com - SeaSonic X650 Gold 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

[glc]

If you are not going to use a power hungry video card, you can use something like one of the Antec Earthwatts units. With no video card at all, the 380 is sufficient.

What PSU do you have now, and does it work?

[hyg71886]

its a 360w generic and yes it works, thanks for the mobo recommendation will be ordering it next week. I might just get a midtower for now so I can save up and get what I really want Zalman HD160 Plus Home Theater PC Enclosure - Black - FrozenCPU.com

@GLC so ur saying dont even use my vid card? I kinda want to because honestly I have no other use for it lol

[glc]

A GTX275 is an inefficient power hog, and for HTPC use the onboard Radeon 4200 graphics with HDMI will do a good job. I don't know if I'd trust a 275 long term with 360 generic watts anyway.

[hyg71886]

At GLC ok Il do that then thanks so much. What do you think of that case, and what gpu do you recommend for me to upgrade to latter? Also, what would be a good wireless card to put in?

[glc]

I think that case is quite overpriced. You can do a lot better with something from Lian Li or Silverstone in my opinion.

GPU upgrade all depends on exactly what else you want to do with it other than be a HTPC. If that's all you need it for, you don't need a video card. If you want to use anything stronger than an entry level card, you should upgrade the power supply.

Newegg.com - Rosewill RNX-G300EX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP with 100cm cable external 2 dBi Antenna

[pally01]

Here's my 2 bits:

Case: get a Silverstone or if your budget can stand it, a Lian-Li. Silverstone is good quality and quite sharp looking. I've used several in various builds and they work well.
I haven't used a Lian-Li myself, but their HTPC cases look smokin' and everyone raves about the quality.

HTPC as a gamer: I did it with a Silverstone LC13.The build is in my sig below. It works well and although the heat is a little higher than I'd like, it's still well below "too high". I had to remove a drive cage to fit in the vid card though, and the loss of that additional hard drive storage is a pain.

[jdeb]

The LIAN LI PC-C34F is a great case, love the hot swap cage in front, simply a wonderful case for the money and it keeps everything cool with the exceptional engineering and design. It is a dream to build with, they think of every last detail when it comes to installation. The only thing is you may or may not get a manual with the case but their website has everything you need. Check it out...

Lian Li Industrial Co., Ltd.

[hyg71886]

thanks the Silverstone LC20 is what I think I'll go with. Do you think its worth going to frozencpu.com to buy it and get the professional sound dampening done? or the Silverstone LC10B

[pally01]

Nice case. My last HTPC was in that model. I wouldn't do the sound dampening if it were my build. I'd wait to see if you really need it once it's complete. Chances are it will be more than quiet enough just the way it is. Besides, i'm not totally sold on the dampening idea to begin with. Silverstone sells dampening material that you can install yourself, but the reviews on it's effectiveness were pretty marginal.

[hyg71886]

@pally01 which case the lc10 or lc20?

[pally01]

Whoops. Missed the part about the LC10 in your post. I was referring to the LC20.

[hyg71886]

I also meant to ask everyone, should i get a sound card or use on board for this?

[birddog_61]

On board is fine for sound also.

[pally01]

Agreed. You can always add one later if you think you need it.

[glc]

You have limited expansion slots with that motherboard, so you do have to choose your addon cards carefully.

[hyg71886]

I only plan on adding a lot of hard drives. And the wireless card. After that is a media server