Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 268

So I consider myself moderately knowledgeable with all things HTPC. In general I do a lot of computer related work. When I made my first HTPC four years ago I had a good grip on what was needed to get started. I ended up taking a few months getting everything exactly as it should be. Even after asking questions around various forums and looking at free guides.

Fast forward to today where I have recently re-examined the things I want me HTPC to do. I look back and that and decided it just wasn't worth my time to have to research and tinker until I achieve my new goals. That's where Assassin's paid guide comes into play. I was very skeptical handing over my $20, especially knowing that I can get things working. But why waste that time? After my many frustrating attempts to get things working right in the past, Assassin's guide seemed the way to go. And I am very glad I did fork over that $20. For someone like me that has plenty of knowledge on HTPC, I still find it useful.

Another great example of it's usefulness for an experience HTPC goer is when setting up a new HTPC. I often find myself looking through my old bookmarks, finding broken links, older codec packs that no one uses and sometimes just forgetting various steps. Having everything I need to know, well documented and links is fantastic. Even if you are all caught up with your machine and his various mods/tweaks the guide still is useful.

In summary, if you want to get things done quicker and enjoy your HTPC as it was meant to be, then I suggest getting Asassin's paid guide.

i am building a8-3850 htpc. i am wondering can it plays 3d iso and 3d hsbs files.

Hi Assassin,

paid member here. I want to install the new mediacenter master "hydra" and get it looking similar to yours. I read where you said its on your paid guide 2 but I'm having trouble seeing any changes. Which guide inside of paid guide 2 is this on?

Thanks

So i just got my mobo back from the computer shop to get it checked. apparently the G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB is not compatible with ASRock H67M-ITX...

They tried a different RAM and it worked.

Didn't really see what RAM they used. But they were selling it to be a single 2GB stick for 50 bucks.. i was like hell no!

errrr that standard RAM is out of stock.
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB is listed as compatible in the ASRock page

Yeh they said the RAM was good

Hi assassin,

silly question here. My build is with i3-2100 using integrated audio but the driver is by RealTek and not Intel right? I am waiting for my parts to come in but I went to the Gigabyte driver site to download all the drivers and I notice that the audio driver is Realtek.

Thanks.

So I shouldn't install the Realtek or it doesn't matter?

I'm at the Intel Download Center, and I don't see an option for Audio under Select a product family.

Thank you.

I am about to order parts and the 20 dollar instructions to build a HTPC. I am leaning towards purchasing the the Sandy Bridge Pentium G620 for my CPU, and the Gigabyte GAz68ma for my mother board. Looking over the details it states that this mother board does not have a video card included. I wanted to make sure that I do not have to buy a seperate video card for this CPU and Motherboard. Thank you very much for the help.

Thank you. I read that but had a friend who knows much more about computer then I tell me to double check. I will be ordering your instructions soon. Thanks

Assasin - I am building mine tomorrow, can you send me the information also?

Hey all, got this all put together and everything is working great so far. Ran into a little snag I thought was odd -- my TV (Hitachi RP CRT) will take the 720P @ 60hz just fine, but will only do 1080i @ 30hz.

That a known issue on the RP CRT's or am I being dumb somehow? Overscan is a little annoying, but Assassin said that's normal in his guide for the older TV's.

Thanks!

Wow man your still at it. You don't get tired of the same questions everyday.

I'm back for a bit, just ordered cable and an HD homerun prime. Pretty stoked to try out a new toy.

I hope your business is doing well.

I just wanted to post a quick thank you to Assassin for his awesome, extremely helpful, made building a kick ass HTPC an easy venture guides.
I started with the idea that I wanted a new computer that would be connected to my new 50" Sammy plasma. We mainly use out computer for internet, pictures, home videos and watching streaming/downloaded shows.
Our only computer is a 4 year old Dell Laptop that was getting slow and full. After searching and shopping I was pretty sure I wanted to by a Dell Zino. I configured what I wanted and saved my cart at Dell....
Then I found this place and saw some of Assassin's posts and stumbled upon this thread, and said to myself that I want to try and build my own computer....how cool would that be! But how?
Well I paid my subscription fee at Assassin's blog and started reading.
I learned about all the needed parts, and what are some of the best for a build like this, and went ahead and purchased.
I sat down with my laptop on Asassin's guides, and all the parts and instructions in front of me, and started putting all the parts together.

I had absolutely no computer experience previous to this build....BIOS...whats that...seriously.

Got everything together and plugged her into my TV and Denon receiver, pushed power and IT WORKED!

Where his guides really come into serious help is the whole configuring you machine once its built.
I would have never been able to have my system as cool and smooth as it is without his guides. All the software and codecs needed for you to be able to play virtually any movie format is great.
I would have never been able to make the interface as cool as the ones you see with the backgrounds and DVD case looking icons.

I am rambling here, but I just want to thank Assassin for all the work he has put into his guides and urge anyone on the fence to go ahead and subscribe to his guides....well worth the $20, at this point I would pay $50 for the depth of knowledge he gives in them. Not to mention he is always updating them so you and always update your system down the road too!

Thanks again!

Forgot to mention...
THANK GOD I DIDNT BUY THAT DELL ZINO!

So I ended up getting some crucial RAM and it worked like a charm... sending the ripjaw's back...