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Building a new HTPC - need advice

post #1 of 10
2/10/13 at 5:53pm
Thread Starter 
Hi All -

I built my HTPC about 2.5 years ago with the help of this forum. I've received a lot of joy from it, though it is now starting to show its age.

I'm looking to build a new HTPC. Looked through the forums and in need of some recommendations.

Goals:
- Computer will only be for HTPC use, though looking for a fast CPU as I want minimize wait time when encoding video files and I may add a media center extender in the future
- Will look to use the onboard GPU (not purchase a separate one)
- Not looking to overclock
- Need recommendations on memory
- Recommendations for keeping the setup cool. My case does vent well.
- Should be compatible with Ceton InfiniTV 4

I don't build computers often so my knowledge base has a few holes. Thanks all!
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post #2 of 10
2/12/13 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 
Shameless bump.
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post #3 of 10
2/12/13 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kgoyal View Post

Hi All -

I built my HTPC about 2.5 years ago with the help of this forum. I've received a lot of joy from it, though it is now starting to show its age.

I'm looking to build a new HTPC. Looked through the forums and in need of some recommendations.

Goals:
- Computer will only be for HTPC use, though looking for a fast CPU as I want minimize wait time when encoding video files and I may add a media center extender in the future
- Will look to use the onboard GPU (not purchase a separate one)
- Not looking to overclock
- Need recommendations on memory
- Recommendations for keeping the setup cool. My case does vent well.
- Should be compatible with Ceton InfiniTV 4

I don't build computers often so my knowledge base has a few holes. Thanks all!

Core i5 ivy bridge with HD4000 graphics should do the trick, or you could do the video encoding on your desktop.
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post #4 of 10
2/12/13 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 
thanks jeffkro...what motherboard would make a good HTPC with that? Looking for HDMI out, optical out, and anything else thats important for and HTPC...
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post #5 of 10
2/13/13 at 4:02am
Look for any H77 motherboard.......just need to pick a form factor - ATX, Micro ATX,etc......most will come with the necessary connections to do what you want (i.e. HDMI, toslink, etc)

Toys
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post #6 of 10
2/13/13 at 5:52am
Thread Starter 
Should have mentioned that I'm looking for a Micro-ATX board. Any recommendations?

The last board I bought was the Intel G45 (despite the warnings on this forum) and it gave me nothing but problems when in sleep mode.

Looking for a stress free board. I plan to only have one hard drive and two sticks of memory.
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post #7 of 10
2/13/13 at 6:12am
I just recently purchased the Asrock Pro-4m (z77 chipset) Board for my HTPC build. So far it's been working without issue. Has all the Multimedia connections you need. If you purchase your Processor and MB together at Microcenter they give you 50 off the board. I got this one for 49.99 (For the win)
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post #8 of 10
2/13/13 at 7:00am
I'm going to jump into this thread too with a slight hijack. I also have a G45-based HTPC and have found that DXVA is broken in WIndows 8. This makes watching blu-ray discs next to impossible, so I'm looking to upgrade.

I'd prefer to simply add a video card instead of building a whole new system. Have the problems been worked out of the latest ATI cards? I would need a low-profile card.
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post #9 of 10
2/13/13 at 8:22am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Victor - I'm less price sensitive and more quality focused...would ASRock give me the least amount of problems? Any consensus on the top one or two boards for basic HTPC functionality?
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post #10 of 10
2/13/13 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spivonious View Post

I'm going to jump into this thread too with a slight hijack. I also have a G45-based HTPC and have found that DXVA is broken in WIndows 8. This makes watching blu-ray discs next to impossible, so I'm looking to upgrade.

I'd prefer to simply add a video card instead of building a whole new system. Have the problems been worked out of the latest ATI cards? I would need a low-profile card.

I've had no problems with dxva with a 5570 and a 5870 on Windows 8. I've been running Windows 8 since the day after it was released. I experienced issues with Windows 7 but none with 8 on the exact same hardware.

Edit: I had no dxva issues on Win7, other issues arose.
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