How to Ask For New HTPC Build Help

THANK YOU!
Anything to bring some order to these threads that are becoming quite unorganized an fragmented.
As an aside, I'd like to see a sticky for remote controls/keyboards. I think there is one but people continue to create new ones and the information gets lost. Your guys are saints for continuing to repeat answers to the same questions that are asked over and over.

This is really good. I got the below suggestion from hardwarecanucks....

IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I agree, that being said if you using your HTPC for encoding, or other related tasks that use cpu cycles, then overclocking becomes relevant.

Some do not have multiple computer for different tasks.

Anyways, just a thought.

Either way, I like the thread.

agreed, also in some cases overclocking can save money by way of using a cheaper CPU and or GPU and maybe upgraded cooling.

I would add to it an explicit call out for "do you need an optical drive?" and "where are you going to store your media?" and "what HTPC features are you planning to use (watch Netflix HD, watch Blu-ray rips, listen to music on Zone 2, etc.)?" since these make all the difference in hardware choice IMHO.

I disagree. For gaming, encoding, and any CPU heavy task it becomes a factor.

While your right for a traditional HTPC only PC build- a broader range of use might warrant it.

Plus- Overclocking is often extra value since the performance is increased significantly while price is not always increased significantly.

Edit: added below


Yes. +1



Yes.


Glad you came around.

If your right then 99% of the time it won't be a factor anyhow. Personally I think it's more like 20%

But the way I see it is anyone that plans to overclock or has the knowledge about such a thing- probably does not need much help in the build process or component selection. They probably know enough and more than normal people.

Deleted

Looks good. I think this needs a new thread however -- a single post with the questionnaire in a closed thread would be preferred. We don't want people responding to this thread with their build questions -- it would be good to make explicit "start a new thread for your build". They also should not have to wade through the remarks/arguments about what questions to put on the questionnaire/arguments about overclocking. K.I.S.S.

Suggest that you add "view streaming media other than Netflix/Pandora" to the "usage" question. There are different issues if someone wants to be watching a variety of streaming sources other than the main three or four for which there are no, and probably will never be any, plugins to the popular front ends. That should be identified up front because it requires different choices especially for software.

Second, I'd suggest deleting the overclocking question, because regardless of whether some people do it, if someone is on this forum asking basic hardware choice questions, the presumption should be that they will not be and should not be overclocking their system. Raising that at the outset as a choice that needs to be addressed is not productive.

Yeah, I'd say remove the "First or Secondary" (not important given other questions about HT setup, etc.) and "Overclocking" questions, add "Case make/model" to the remark about PSU next to 'parts not required" (or a general "include brand/model of all parts being reused")

Stardog was right; it wasn't the place for it.

By the way, seeing your response in the Graphics Card Suggestion thread (with which I agreed), made me think whether you should add to the "Parts Preferences: by brand or type" question "and do you actually have a genuine reason for that preference that is based on today's competing products and technology?"

AGREE.

I would probably not even include it in a thread like the one being discussed. It's just no appropriate. Overclocking really should not be an issue in a noobie build thread. It won't be a factor most of the time, and to anyone who it might be a factor would know enough to seek out the additional information they needed.

Overclocking has little use in designing or building a HTPC.

My only disagreement at all really is purely on the basis you reject the idea entirely and automatically across the board.

While it's not needed here- I always feel like you think it's a crime or something.

Encoding video on an overclocked PC is a wonderful thing, as is gaming performance. Perhaps this forum is not the place to consider such things most of the time- but to reject the idea someone might want to do it automatically seems short sighted sometimes.

There are plenty of mixed use PC on these forums. Many of them game or encode or do other non traditional HTPC stuff where the extra boost in power might be useful. Infact, I think most of us here have a CPU or PC that's excessive beyond the recommendation for HTPC application. Right? How many even normal posters on are i5 and i7 ? I am not saying recommend this. Just don't discredit it without knowing how it's used.


?


What did I miss?



It's a good idea. But in general the same threads will pop up and many of the OP starting them won't even have read the sticky.

When that happens, it'll be easy to reply with a link to the sticky and say, kindly, "please fill this out -- this is what people need to know to start".

Yeah, it might be worth putting next to "Parts Preference" "please explain why you prefer these parts". And, really, Biostar? Full tower? Bad examples .

yeah. I totally agree with all this.

for HTPC there is no point in overclocking.

But there is certainly a speed benefit and performance boost in CPU heavy tasks with overclocking. While not a HTPC type usage- it would greatly benefit other stuff. I can't say I agree universally against overclocking- in a PC type application. Your a bit extreme on that.

I can tell you with absolute certainty that a quad core running 4.0+ ghz is just way faster than a basic dual core i3 variety.

Even just re-adjusting the turbo boost to run higher makes a difference in simple stuff like waiting for a large zip or winrar to complete- or a handbrake conversion to finish.

Your 99% right about the HTPC side- but not about "(or really even PC)" part of it.

I wish I saw the deleted post cause I am curious. But I think this is enough on this topic for this thread. It's not needed.

We all agree deleted the overclock part from the proposed sticky and it's just not needed in a discussion about building a HTPC at all.

How about a line for level of technical expertise? I can't stand it when someone posts a thoughtful question only to have some drone say "read assassin's guides". The guides are great but a specific issue or advice, it can be much more efficient to turn to the forum.