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#1 ·
 Guide to Building a Home Theater PC




Buyer's Guide to Building a Home Theater PC - October/November 2011

Announcement (updated on October 1, 2011)


Here is the basic plan for "Buyer's Guide to Building a Home Theater PC" (formerly "Recommended HTPC Systems"):

1. Issues and Editions. The guide will be issued every month, on around the 20th day of the month, in the PDF format (a PDF reader is required to read it, such as Adobe Reader [ free download ] or Adobe Acrobat).

2. Asking a Donation! I am asking a donation for the latest issue ( why ). There are two choices:
  • Single issue ($4 USD or more): You can download the current latest issue.

     
  • 4 issues ($10 USD or more): You are eligible to download 4 consecutive issues. For example if you send a donation on April 1st, you can download March (during 4/1-4/20), April (during 4/20-5/20), May (during 5/20-6/20) and June (during 6/20-7/13) issues. How this works: Each donator will be provided with a download link to the issue file, which is valid for 2500 hours = 104 days = 3 months and 2 weeks (for example, April 1 to July 13 if you donate on April 1). I will update the file in the server on around the 20th day of each month and will announce it in this thread. Then you can download the new issue at the link provided. You will use the link repeatedly during the subscription period. So please keep the download link.

At this time only a donation by PayPal is accepted. Click the button

then select either one described above, click the PayPal icon and follow the instruction in the loaded page to send a donation. If you don't have a PayPal account, don't worry, click the link "Continue" following "Don't have a PayPal account?" in the page to create an account (it's free) and send money using your credit card or bank account. You will receive a download link instantly. Note that
  • The price field is editable; please change it and donate as much as you can.


     
  • Please add your User Name at AVS Forum in "Add special instructions to merchant" if you want to get my support via PM or posts in the thread. Otherwise I can't identify you with an AVS Forum member unless your user name is the same as your PayPal account holder name.

3. Older Issues will be released free. Older issues will be released for free, either in this thread like the previous "Recommended Systems" or in PDF for download or both. I am planning on releasing a couple of months old issue every couple of months.

4. Have a Question? If you have a question (how to build, how to configure or whatever), please either post it in the thread (yes, please post any question in the thread, hoping that invoke interest in the latest guide
), PM me or email me. I will try to answer it; if I can't, somebody else may be able to help you.

Why do I ask a donation? Maintaining the guide consists of
  • Research latest hardware components;
  • Acquire key hardware components and do lots of experiments;
  • Write the information obtained in a readable form, that requires lots of time, meditation and inspiration (not kidding).

Among them the most difficult part is the second part because it involves lots of money ($1000 or more per month, not kidding, I consider $1000 is the minimum amount to maintain and keep the guide up to date) and currently it relies heavily on the donations. So please consider making a donation, as much as you can afford, if you think the guide is helpful and want to see it updated for some time to come.


BTW the amount of donations in 2010 is
  • October 16 2010 - November 15 2010: $60
  • September 16 2010 - October 15 2010: $85
  • August 16 2010 - September 15 2010: $145

This is good enough to buy a motherboard per month, but nothing more.
This guide is going to die sooner or later if this continues.

Release Notes
  • October/November 2011 Issue: Released on December 11, 2011.


    - Sandy Bridge-E LGA 2011 systems took the place of 3-year-old Bloomfield LGA 1366 systems.

    - All systems were reexamined and nearly half of the systems were updated or completely changed because of new hardware components and price change of many components.

    Sample (21 pages):
  • August/September 2011 Issue: Released on October 1, 2011.


    - The low-end and mid-range systems are restructured.

    - Nearly half of the systems were updated or completely changed because of new hardware components and price change of many components.

     
  • June/July 2011 Issue: Released on July 14, 2011. The June issue has been delayed because of the delay of the May issue. So I decided to combine the June and July issues.


    - AMD A-Series APU (Llano) systems took place of all the Socket AM3 systems in the low-end and mid-range AMD systems.

    - Nearly half of the systems were updated because of new hardware components (new AMD 990FX/990X/SB950 chipset motherboards, new X58/ICH10R chipset motherboards etc.) and price change of many components.

     
  • May 2011 Issue: Released on June 3, 2011.


    - All LGA 775 systems were replaced by LGA 1155 systems finally.

    - Intel Z68 chipset motherboards are used in place of P67 in many systems.

    - Standard Mini-ITX and Budget/Low-End microATX/ATX systems were completely re-organized reflecting the recent release of Pentium Sandy Bridge processor.

    - 15-bay server systems are now using an Intel processor and Intel-brand motherboard (one reason for that is Intel Gb LAN).

    - 20-24 bay server systems have more processor/motherboard options.

     
  • April 2011 Issue ( free download ): Released on April 23, 2011.


    - All Radeon HD 5xxx cards were replaced by the latest Radeon HD 6xxx.

    - Several older motherboards and SSDs were replaced by new ones.

    - A Xeon LGA 1155 workstation was added.

    - Server systems were streamlined and divided into two categories: Server I (12 and 15-drive systems) and Server II (20 and 24-drive systems).

     
  • March 2011 Issue ( free download ): Released on March 21, 2011.


    - Every Intel LGA 1156 (Clarkdale and Lynnfield) system was replaced by a LGA 1155 (Sandy Bridge) system.

    - "Intel for 3D" (Clarkdale + a discrete graphics) systems were removed because Sandy Bridge supports 3D.

    - A LGA 1366 workstation was added.

    - Rocket 620 SATA controller card in a couple of server systems was replaced by Rosewill RC-211 because Rocket 620 BIOS disables other controller's BIOS.

     
  • February 2011 Issue ( free download ): The initial version released on February 23, 2011, the final version released on March 4, 2011.


    - An AMD E-350 APU system was added in the mini-ITX system ("Budge Mini-ITX System").

    - Intel High-End/Premium/Ultimate Systems and Workstation were all updated (i.e. Lynnfield systems were revived) because Intel recalled Intel 6 Series chipsets .

    - Minor changes in the server systems (new motherboards, a new SATA 6.0Gbps controller card) for better cost/performance.

    - Every single system was reviewed and components were replaced if necessary.

     
  • January 2011 Issue ( free download ): Issued on January 20, 2011. As Intel Sandy Bridge quad-core processors were released on January 9, mainly Intel High-End/Premium/Ultimate Systems were updated.

     
  • December 2010 Issue ( free download ): Issued on January 5, 2011. This is the first PDF version of the Buyer's Guide. 80 pages in US letter. Almost every section of the June 2010 issue was updated. This issue is also posted here .


Past Guides in This Thread



_____________________________
Preface to the Guide - May 11, 2008
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯


This is a guide to building a HTPC (Home Theater PC), a revised, enlarged version of Core 2 Motherboard Complete List - With Hardware Recommendations for a HD HTPC . In general emphasis is on the aspect of smooth playback of HD contents (including Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD and 1080p H.264 files), hence I added "HD (High Definition)" in the title. The main parts are:
  • Part I. Hardware Guide
  • Part II. Assembling Guide (under construction)
  • Part III. Software Guide (under construction)

"Hardware Guide" includes a practical selection guide of various hardware components as well as theoretical aspects of hardware if necessary. This part should be helpful to select right components quickly when building a HTPC. "Assembling Guide" is a practical guide to assembling a HTPC. I will choose one of the recommended systems in Part I and give a step-by-step instruction of assembling components. The content of "Software Guide" is still undecided (I welcome suggestions).


There are six appendices:
  • Appendix I. Overview of Intel CPU
  • Appendix II. Overview of AMD CPU
  • Appendix III. Complete List of Core 2 Motherboards
  • Appendix IV. Complete List of AM2 Motherboards
  • Appendix V. Motherboard Naming Rules
  • Appendix VI. List of Bandwidth

These are for reference only.


Then follow
__________________
Contents of the Guide
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Main Part
  1. Hardware Guide (Page 1)
    1. Introduction (under construction)
    2. Recommended Systems
      • Peripheral Components
      • MicroATX System
      • ATX System
      • Home Media Server
    3. CPU and CPU Cooler
    4. Motherboard
      • Intel Platform
      • AMD Platform
    5. Memory
    6. Graphics Device
    7. Sound Device
    8. HDD
    9. Optical Drive
    10. TV Tuner
    11. PSU
    12. Case
    13. Input Devices
  2. Assembling Guide (Page 2) (under construction)
  3. Software Guide (Page 3) (under construction)

Appendix
  1. Intel Processors – An Overview (Page 4)
    • Contents
    • Preface
    1. History
    2. P6 Microarchitecture
    3. NetBurst Microarchitecture
    4. Mobile Microarchitecture
    5. Core Microarchitecture
    6. Atom Microarchitecture
    7. Nehalem Microarchitecture
  2. AMD Processors – An Overview (Page 5)
    • Contents
    • Preface
    1. History
    2. K5 Processor
    3. K6 Processor
    4. K7 Processor
    5. K8 Processor
    6. K10 Processor
  3. Core 2 Motherboards – A Complete List of (Page 6)
    • Contents
    • Preface
    1. Overview of Recent Chipsets for the Intel Platform
    2. Intel 865 Chipset Motherboards
    3. Intel 945/946 Express Chipset Motherboards
    4. Intel 975X Express Chipset Motherboards
    5. Intel 965 Express Chipset Motherboards
    6. Intel 3 Series Chipset Motherboards
    7. Intel 4 Series Chipset Motherboards
    8. Intel Tylersburg & Ibexpeak Chipset Motherboards
    9. NVIDIA nForce4 Series for Intel Chipset Motherboards
    10. NVIDIA nForce 500 Series for Intel Chipset Motherboards
    11. NVIDIA nForce 600i Series Chipset Motherboards
    12. NVIDIA nForce 700i Series Chipset Motherboards
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 7-Series GPU and nForce 6-Series MCP Motherboards
    14. NVIDIA GeForce 8-Series mGPU Motherboards
    15. ATI Chipset Motherboards
    16. SiS Chipset Motherboards
    17. VIA Chipset Motherboards
    18. Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Motherboards
    19. Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Motherboards
  4. AM2 Motherboards – A Complete List of (Page 7)
    • Contents
    • Preface
    1. Overview of Recent Chipsets for the AMD Platform
    2. AMD 480 Series Chipset Motherboards
    3. AMD 580 Series Chipset Motherboards
    4. AMD 690 Series Chipset Motherboards
    5. AMD 7-Series Chipset Motherboards
    6. AMD 8-Series Chipset Motherboards
    7. NVIDIA nForce3 Series Chipset Motherboards
    8. NVIDIA nForce4 Series for AMD Chipset Motherboards
    9. NVIDIA nForce 500 Series for AMD Chipset Motherboards
    10. NVIDIA nForce 600a Series Chipset Motherboards
    11. NVIDIA nForce 700a Series Chipset Motherboards
    12. NVIDIA GeForce 6-Series GPU and nForce4 Series MCP Motherboards
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 7-Series GPU and nForce 6-Series MCP Motherboards
    14. NVIDIA GeForce 8-Series mGPU Motherboards
    15. SiS Chipset Motherboards
    16. ULi Chipset Motherboards
    17. VIA Chipset Motherboards
  5. Naming Rules of Motherboards (Page 8)
  6. List of Bandwidth (Page 8)
  7. MSI K8NGM2-FID: The Definitive Guide (page 9)

Discussion Posts (Click Here)
 
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5
#12,801 ·
renethx


Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I would never have attempted to build my Norco 4020 server and my LUXA2 HTPC without this valuable thread.


I'm in the process of building your suggested premium micro atx system [in post 12008]. I have a GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 and a Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V CPU cooler. I want to install a LG CH08 BD-ROM player, but it doesn't fit with the CPU cooler being so high.


My question is: The only way I can see making it fit is if the CPU cooler fan and the LUXA2 case fan are back to back from each other and blowing in opposite directions [case fan out the back & Xigmatek blowing from the back to the front, being 2" from each other]. The seems to defeat the whole purpose of the case fan though.


I'm guessing, and this is where your suggestion is needed, do I just scrap the Xigmatek and go for the Cooler Master GeminII S? And, will the Cooler Master fit with my LG CH08?

This seems like the logical solution.


That being said, if a Blu-ray drive is in the mix then the Xigmatek should not be used.


Thanks -- donation made --
 
#12,803 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by izoard /forum/post/18253351


renethx


Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I would never have attempted to build my Norco 4020 server and my LUXA2 HTPC without this valuable thread.


I'm in the process of building your suggested premium micro atx system [in post 12008]. I have a GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 and a Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V CPU cooler. I want to install a LG CH08 BD-ROM player, but it doesn't fit with the CPU cooler being so high.


My question is: The only way I can see making it fit is if the CPU cooler fan and the LUXA2 case fan are back to back from each other and blowing in opposite directions [case fan out the back & Xigmatek blowing from the back to the front, being 2" from each other]. The seems to defeat the whole purpose of the case fan though.


I'm guessing, and this is where your suggestion is needed, do I just scrap the Xigmatek and go for the Cooler Master GeminII S? And, will the Cooler Master fit with my LG CH08?

This seems like the logical solution.

Thanks for your donation and feedback!


A workaround is this: Attach the cooler turn around 180 degree and attach the fan so that it sucks air from the cooler. This is not the way the manufacturer intends, but there should be little difference in cooling efficiency. Or use Geminii S.


I will rethink of the cooling solution in this chassis. Thanks again for your feedback.
 
#12,804 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bori /forum/post/18253421


I added a blu ray drive, 250gb sata drive and two ATI 650 HD tuners to this system. Can the 300 stock power supply handle all this? I provided the link below on all the specs of the system.


http://www.gateway.com/systems/produ...80.php#prodBar

Yes. The max power consumption of your system is well below 150W even with two tuners.
 
#12,806 ·

Quote:
A workaround is this: Attach the cooler turn around 180 degree and attach the fan so that it sucks air from the cooler. This is not the way the manufacturer intends, but there should be little difference in cooling efficiency. Or use Geminii S.

OK, I'll try that. But I'll need 2 90 degree connectors to the BD-ROM drive. I will need a 90 degree sata adaptor for power. Are these easily available at my local fry's?


Thanks
 
#12,807 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by izoard /forum/post/18253528


OK, I'll try that. But I'll need 2 90 degree connectors to the BD-ROM drive. I will need a 90 degree sata adaptor for power. Are these easily available at my local fry's?


Thanks

Angled SATA/SATA power cables are available here . I am not sure about fry's.
 
#12,808 ·
I am looking at the Mid-Range System Intel - Intel and appear to be able to find all the parts in the UK apart from the CPU Cooler. Are there any other reccomendations for the i3 530 and Antec Fusion Remote Case?


I also plan on putting a 1.5TB HDD instead and maybe an SSD for the OS and applications.


Great guide for people like me and getting a good set of components for a build!
 
#12,809 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/18252677


Basically any system in my list should be good. I haven't seen an issue in recording multiple programs in a single HDD simultaneously.

We have 4 ATSC tuners in our living room rig. It does just fine. The only hiccups come from bad reception, not HD speed.
 
#12,810 ·
What's the recommended way to control & monitor the case fans that are powered by a 4 pin molex?

My Norco 4020 has one molex connector for the 2 back fans and another one for the board that the front 5 are powered by.


My LUXA2 has one back fan powered by a 4 pin molex as well.


How & what connector do I need to plug into the motherboard? Do I need an external controller for the Norco?


My Norco has a GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H.

My LUXA has a GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4.


I would prefer to keep the controller (if needed) inside the case.


Is it as simple as using a splitter of an adapter? If so, which one?


Thanks
 
#12,811 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Parklife /forum/post/18253709


I am looking at the Mid-Range System Intel - Intel and appear to be able to find all the parts in the UK apart from the CPU Cooler. Are there any other reccomendations for the i3 530 and Antec Fusion Remote Case?


I also plan on putting a 1.5TB HDD instead and maybe an SSD for the OS and applications.


Great guide for people like me and getting a good set of components for a build!

The stock cooler is fine. Other good coolers are here (except Nexus LOW-7000, that does not support LGA1156).
 
#12,812 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by izoard /forum/post/18254842


What's the recommended way to control & monitor the case fans that are powered by a 4 pin molex?

My Norco 4020 has one molex connector for the 2 back fans and another one for the board that the front 5 are powered by.


My LUXA2 has one back fan powered by a 4 pin molex as well.


How & what connector do I need to plug into the motherboard? Do I need an external controller for the Norco?


My Norco has a GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H.

My LUXA has a GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4.


I would prefer to keep the controller (if needed) inside the case.


Is it as simple as using a splitter of an adapter? If so, which one?

- RPC-4020: No way to monitor fan speeds (no rpm sensor). If the fan noise bothers you, the quickest way is replace the stock fans with quieter fans (e.g. Scythe S-FLEX/KAMA-FLEX 1500rpm).


- LUXA2: The same as RPC-4020. Replace it with, for example, Scythe S-FLEX 800rpm and forget it forever. Or you can connect S-FLEX 1200rpm to the mb (SYS_FAN2) and control it with the mb's utility or SpeedFan. I recommend the former.
 
#12,813 ·

Quote:
- RPC-4020: No way to monitor fan speeds (no rpm sensor). If the fan noise bothers you, the quickest way is replace the stock fans with quieter fans (e.g. Scythe S-FLEX/KAMA-FLEX 1500rpm).


- LUXA2: The same as RPC-4020. Replace it with, for example, Scythe S-FLEX 800rpm and forget it forever. Or you can connect S-FLEX 1200rpm to the mb (SYS_FAN2) and control it with the mb's utility or SpeedFan. I recommend the former.

OK, that confirms it then.


Thanks for the fan suggestions.
 
#12,814 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/18245610


The DVI port of H55ITX-A-E is DVI-I so it supports VGA too. But perhaps Apple DVI to Video Adapter for Video won't work; it is designed for specific ATI graphics cards (which perhaps has an VGA to SDTV encoder).


You'd better add a discrete graphic card that has a 7-pin mini-DIN connector (e.g Radeon HD 4xxx) and use a S-video cable.

Eh, that's kind of what I was thinking, that it had some sort of special feature on the ATI cards Apple used.

I was looking at the cards, I know I need a Low-Profile card so it can fit in the small case. I was looking at a ATI Radeon HD 4350 on Newegg.

However, with a card I will need a larger power supply too! Unless you think the 250W that comes with the case would be enough (Card recommends 300W).


I guess I am looking for any other options and more specific components you would suggest.


Thanks again!
 
#12,816 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenopy /forum/post/18255594


I was looking at the cards, I know I need a Low-Profile card so it can fit in the small case. I was looking at a ATI Radeon HD 4350 on Newegg.

However, with a card I will need a larger power supply too! Unless you think the 250W that comes with the case would be enough (Card recommends 300W).

AMD's 300W recommendation is extremely misleading. Here is a real measurement of the system power consumption. If you use a discrete card, just add 20W (HD 4350/4550) or 50W-60W (HD 4650/4670).
 
#12,817 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mneszt /forum/post/18255672


Does anybody know if the Sony Vaio CW from BestBuy (nVidia 330m, core i5 and blu ray) is able to bitstream full HD audio over HDMI to a receiver, either from Blu-ray discs or from .mkv files?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+V...&skuId=9723951


thanks.

The audio would need to be coming from the core i5 and not the nVidia 330m. Assuming that the Laptop is using the nVidia for HMDI output I would say no (but I could be wrong)
 
#12,818 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mneszt /forum/post/18255672


Does anybody know if the Sony Vaio CW from BestBuy (nVidia 330m, core i5 and blu ray) is able to bitstream full HD audio over HDMI to a receiver, either from Blu-ray discs or from .mkv files?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+V...&skuId=9723951


thanks.

That's a good question, but one i'm sure no one has answer to unless they have the actual set up. You can always take advantage of Best Buy's return policy.
 
#12,819 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 /forum/post/18255808


The audio would need to be coming from the core i5 and not the nVidia 330m. Assuming that the Laptop is using the nVidia for HMDI output I would say no (but I could be wrong)

But a laptop with a bluray drive and a Radeon Mobility 5000 series should be able to send out full HD DTS/Dolby over HDMI correct?
 
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