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Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 445

post #13321 of 18891
4/4/10 at 11:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by doc4140 View Post

I have been reviewing the last several hundred entries and I need some advice.I have never built a computer before. I am interested in a Kaleidoscape type htpc that can download HD video and rip DVD/ BD,CD music to a large maybe 10 gig -20gig or larger hard drive storage that has backup. Also stream Internet / Youtube and other download movie services would also be used. I also need possible encoding and high end audio/ video output to go HDMI to a Anthem AVM50 audio video processor that can decode to multiple formats DTS/ Dolby pro etc. THis will feed a Sony projection VPL vw100 to a 92" diagonal screen. High end audio video is desired. I have a Dell Precision 490 computer that is for general use in my study that is 50 feet from the entertainment room. It is hooked up to a gigbyte router for Cable modem. This will probably not to be used for the playback system.
I have read alot about the EX 495 HP Mediasmart server and hard drive bays to link to it such a San Digital TR5M for additional storage. If I hooked the HP MMS to a Premium ATX htpc that you have suggested, would that be easier than building everything from scratch. I could buy the parts and then have a company like PC CLub here in town build it for me. I will not be doing any gaming. I was looking for a nice user interface like MY MOVIES to link to the Windows Home Server to look like the Kaleidoscape interface.I would like a large touch screen. DVR is not a priority since I have cable HD DVR box. Cost not really a problem. I noticed that alot of programing and difficulties are encountered when building from scratch and wanted plug and play as much as possible.
Any advice is appreciated!!

A premium ATX system is overkill if you don't play games. I recommend a mid-range microATX/ATX system with a Radeon HD 5670 instead. A case with touch screen (I am not sure of its usefulness):

- OrigenAE S21T
- Thermaltake DH 102
- Zalman HD160XT Plus

Or add a touch controller OrigenAE T12 (12.1"). There must be more options (I just don't know). Logitech Harmony 1100 is a universal remote with a 3.5" touch screen.

A BD movie occupies a large storage space:

- ISO complete ~40GB
- ISO movie only ~25GB
- MKV ~25GB

So a 2TB HDD can hold 50 to 80 movies. You'd better select a server case taking this point into account. I recommend 20 HDD Rack Mount System (1000 to 1600 BD movies).

Windows 7 Media Center + My Movies or Media Browser is a good choice as a movie organizer. There are several players:

- PowerDVD 10 Ultra: ISO only
- TMT 3 Platinum: ISO only (basically)
- MPC HomeCinema (free; any format; no menu support)
- Media Center internal player (MKV)
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post #13322 of 18891
4/5/10 at 3:21am
RENETHX,
For the Media Storage servers, you recommend two different OS HDD. What are the pros and cons for the two?

WD Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB SATA 3.0Gbps mobile 7200 RPM
vs.
OS HDD: WD Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA 3.0Gbps

I will be running WHS as well as Media Portal TV server on the server. It will likely be on 24/7.

I am getting ready to assemble this week, still missing motherboard and OS HDD

Thanks,
Jacob
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post #13323 of 18891
4/5/10 at 3:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob B View Post

RENETHX,
For the Media Storage servers, you recommend two different OS HDD. What are the pros and cons for the two?

WD Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB SATA 3.0Gbps mobile 7200 RPM
vs.
OS HDD: WD Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA 3.0Gbps

I will be running WHS as well as Media Portal TV server on the server. It will likely be on 24/7.

I am getting ready to assemble this week, still missing motherboard and OS HDD

Thanks,
Jacob

The Scorpio black is a 2.5" drive, the Caviar Blue is a 3.5" drive. Just depends on what size you are looking to use in your case.
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post #13324 of 18891
4/5/10 at 3:28am
Hi folks,

It used to be that the ads on this forum would only show "inline with posts" if I wasn't signed in. After signing in, there would be ads at the top but not interspersed with the posts.

For the last few days I'm seeing ads along with posts, changing the width of some posts etc, despite being signed in. Is it just me? Or has the forum changed?

Sorry for off-topic post, but this is driving me nuts.
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post #13325 of 18891
4/5/10 at 4:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob B View Post

RENETHX,
For the Media Storage servers, you recommend two different OS HDD. What are the pros and cons for the two?

Two different HDDs just because NORCO RPC-4220 has 2 x 2.5" OS drive brackets while NORCO RPC-4020 has 2 x 3.5" OS hard drive brackets.
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post #13326 of 18891
4/5/10 at 5:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc_G View Post

For the last few days I'm seeing ads along with posts, changing the width of some posts etc, despite being signed in. Is it just me? Or has the forum changed?

You're not nuts. Read here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post18423528
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post #13327 of 18891
4/5/10 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Two different HDDs just because NORCO RPC-4220 has 2 x 2.5" OS drive brackets while NORCO RPC-4020 has 2 x 3.5" OS hard drive brackets.

Thanks!
I guess the 2.5" has lower energy consumption as well? For a 24/7 server, that's a plus, I guess.
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post #13328 of 18891
4/5/10 at 8:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob B View Post

Thanks!
I guess the 2.5" has lower energy consumption as well? For a 24/7 server, that's a plus, I guess.

Yup.

WD3200BEKT
Read/Write: 2.50 Watts
Idle: 0.85 Watts

WD6400AAKS
Read/Write: 8.30 Watts
Idle: 7.70 Watts
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post #13329 of 18891
4/5/10 at 9:02am
Anyone have some Pics on one of those 24 HDD plus setups. That's really out of my price and storage range right now but I would like be able to upgrade to something like that with having to change much.

Just really wanted to see some pics of how everything was connected not really getting how all this stuff is setup to name a few things would be

5X1 Internal SATA Port Multiplier
Internal SATA to eSATA 2-Port PCI Bracket

I think a few pics would help me understand how it works.

Thanks
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post #13330 of 18891
4/5/10 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

A premium ATX system is overkill if you don't play games. I recommend a mid-range microATX/ATX system with a Radeon HD 5670 instead. A case with touch screen (I am not sure of its usefulness):

- OrigenAE S21T
- Thermaltake DH 102
- Zalman HD160XT Plus

Or add a touch controller OrigenAE T12 (12.1"). There must be more options (I just don't know). Logitech Harmony 1100 is a universal remote with a 3.5" touch screen.

A BD movie occupies a large storage space:

- ISO complete ~40GB
- ISO movie only ~25GB
- MKV ~25GB

So a 2TB HDD can hold 50 to 80 movies. You'd better select a server case taking this point into account. I recommend 20 HDD Rack Mount System (1000 to 1600 BD movies).

Windows 7 Media Center + My Movies or Media Browser is a good choice as a movie organizer. There are several players:

- PowerDVD 10 Ultra: ISO only
- TMT 3 Platinum: ISO only (basically)
- MPC HomeCinema (free; any format; no menu support)
- Media Center internal player (MKV)

Thanks for the advice! The guys on this site have the experience to help the newby stay out of trouble.
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post #13331 of 18891
4/5/10 at 12:09pm
I was ready to order an i3-530 chip through a relative of mine (Intel employee), but for some reason the i3 and i5 chips with iGPU are not on the EPP portal. There is a i5-750 chip that I can get for $130 shipped to me though. It goes for around $195 on Newegg. The main problem for me is that it doesn't have the iGPU so having to buy a discreet video card might offset those savings.

What GPU would get me to about the same video performance of the midrange Intel-Intel(iGPU) build (core i3-530)?

The advantage I'm seeing to the i5-750 would be better speed for transcoding video. I hadn't really planned on transcoding much, but have recently read some numbers on the MKV conversion of DVDs and might go that route.

On the subject of transcoding, is there an advantage to running a 64bit OS for this other than taking advantage of more memory? I'm considering just going with 2GB, so 32bit would have been the way to go on the i3-530. I'm not so sure on the 4 core i5-750.

I'm really only planning on media playback. I won't be using this as a gaming HTPC.I'll be going MicroATX and am looking at the ATI HD 5450 (fanless)
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post #13332 of 18891
4/5/10 at 4:13pm
Hi there!

I have recently added a video card ATI HD5670 to the Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H mobo as renethx recommendations (thanks man!)
almost everything works fine, it's just that for some reason I can't enable 1920x1080@60hz it only works @24hz
Thing is that when I start the computer I can't see the Bios, the LCD screen kicks in when windows has already booted

I'm almost sure that this is a resolution problem ,right?

has anybody else had same problem or knows how to fix this

BTW I have tried both original and most recent drivers with the same result also if I switch back to the mobo hdmi out I can enable 60hz just fine
TIA
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post #13333 of 18891
4/5/10 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

A premium ATX system is overkill if you don't play games. I recommend a mid-range microATX/ATX system with a Radeon HD 5670 instead. A case with touch screen (I am not sure of its usefulness):

- OrigenAE S21T
- Thermaltake DH 102
- Zalman HD160XT Plus

Or add a touch controller OrigenAE T12 (12.1"). There must be more options (I just don't know). Logitech Harmony 1100 is a universal remote with a 3.5" touch screen.

A BD movie occupies a large storage space:

- ISO complete ~40GB
- ISO movie only ~25GB
- MKV ~25GB

So a 2TB HDD can hold 50 to 80 movies. You'd better select a server case taking this point into account. I recommend 20 HDD Rack Mount System (1000 to 1600 BD movies).

Windows 7 Media Center + My Movies or Media Browser is a good choice as a movie organizer. There are several players:

- PowerDVD 10 Ultra: ISO only
- TMT 3 Platinum: ISO only (basically)
- MPC HomeCinema (free; any format; no menu support)
- Media Center internal player (MKV)

Comments:
TMT 3 Platinum will play AVCHD as well - if you rip your (owned) BD to AVCHD folder and file format, it will play it. This adds compatibility for hardware players like OPPO-BDP83 and PS3.

I would list MediaPortal (MP) as an organizer & player as well - its like Media Center, except its free (open source). It can use external players as well (like TMT). It has more options than WMC, but is also more tricky to set up

MP's coolest feature is the ability to act as a TV server, having TV-tuners added to one single computer acting as the server (could be your media storage server), then all other computers in the house/network can use/access those tuners with the MP client software. If you don't need/want that feature, then WMC 7 is probably the way to go (unless you like to play around with skins, multiple plug-ins, etc)

cheers,
Jacob
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post #13334 of 18891
4/5/10 at 6:09pm
Question about the media server case RPC-4020. That's the case I have and am setting up.

I also got the recommended mother board, the GigaByte GA-MA785GT-UD3H.
Okay here is my question... where does the VCC/Data -/Data +/GND cable on th RPC-4020 connect to the UD3H motherboard? Everything else except the network activity indicator are connected (didn't see an activity LED connection on the mb) and I am ready to install the OS. It looks like the VCC/Data connection is for the front panel USB port but I can't see a corresponding mb connection for this cable.

Anyone have any input?
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post #13335 of 18891
4/5/10 at 7:31pm
Hi I just bought this desktop

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103244

and I put this video card in it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-447-_-Product

and I'm looking at getting this receiver

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882120165

anyone know if I could output the video through one of the DVI outputs on the card and output the audio through HDMI to the receiver. or if anyone knows a similar setup where I can get 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound with my PC setup. any input appreciated thanks!!
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post #13336 of 18891
4/5/10 at 7:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annihilata View Post

anyone know if I could output the video through one of the DVI outputs on the card and output the audio through HDMI to the receiver. or if anyone knows a similar setup where I can get 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound with my PC setup. any input appreciated thanks!!

The card supports HDMI, the receiver supports HDMI. Why use anything else?
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post #13337 of 18891
4/5/10 at 8:42pm
I want to try and get the best optimal performance out of my system. My monitor supports 1920 x 1200 resolution so DVI is the best choice for the best resolution. The video card said it supported 7.1 surround sound when I installed the drivers. Just curious if anyone else has tried this, although I'm pretty sure it will output video via DVI and audio via HDMI no problem.
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post #13338 of 18891
4/6/10 at 2:05am
I'm building my first htpc and this is what I'm looking at so far.

i3-530
ASUS P7H55-M PRO
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Reader Model iHOS104-06 - OEM
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V
SILVERSTONE GD05B

I already have a 500gb wd green drive and a HDhomerun. I'll being using it for ota, watching dvd/bd's, and streaming my rips from a whs. Do guys see anything I should change or am I go to go?
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post #13339 of 18891
4/6/10 at 3:53am
I need to build a PC for my Toyhauler so I can transfer some of the 800 movies that I currently have saved on my server and have something to watch when I go racing, duning etc.... I figure 3 to 4 terabytes should hold plenty of movies to have a good selection. I have a 23"1080P LCD monitor so I will probably go with HDMI. I plan to purchase a LG HX300 projector when they come out so I can do the outdoor movie thing. So, on to my ?????

I have a new http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131196 P5K-E motherboard sitting here brand new in the box. Would it be worthwhile for me to use this board and go with a Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115056 and since it only has PCI-E x 16 my card choices a re limited. Probably this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814103104
DIAMOND 5670PE51G Radeon HD 5670, or should I just forget using the P5K and upgrade to the new tech?
Thanks in advacne!!!!
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post #13340 of 18891
4/6/10 at 6:23am
Hi me again

Now that my HTPC laptop is running thanks you guys

I need to get the server running as well.

This question is for dbone1026:

Damian, I want to buy the server parts in this site since I got 100 bucks in store credit.

I was looking for your mother board but is not there, bellow is a similar one but some of the model numbers are not the same.

Can you please take a look and tell me if I should buy it for the server, or can you be so kind and look around that site and tell me what other motherboard I should get.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...rkey=GA-MA785G

Should stick with the same CPU?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...=ADX245OCGQBOX

I could be wrong but I think that motherboard support ddr3, should I get DDR3 memory then?

Should I go for this one?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...614&CatId=3361

Or can I get away with buying this one?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...026&CatId=3361

Thanks a lot

Alex
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post #13341 of 18891
4/6/10 at 6:25am
Hi Renethx
A few months ago I followed your excellent advice and built the following system:

• CPU: Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition HDZ955FBGIBOX 3.2GHz AM3.
• CPU Cooler: Cooler Master (Geminii S) RR-CCH-PBU1-GP
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G chipset microATX.
• Memory: A-DATA HY63I1B16K DDR3-1333 2 x 2GB Kit.
• Sound Card: ESI Juli@
• HDD: 2-Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200RPM, 300GB
• PSU: Corsair VX550W CMPSU-550VX 550W.
• Case: Antec Fusion Remote Black microATX, with LCD/IR receiver/remote
• BD: LG BD-ROM / DVD Rewriter CH08

I am using the onboard (MOBO) DVI-D out to my Pioneer KRP-500M 50" panel. I have loaded Windows 7, and things are working very nicely except for one issue. When I either turn off the TV or switch to another input on the panel (e.g., ROKU box, cable box) and then go back to the DVI-D input from the HTPC, there is nothing on the screen other than the message "No Signal". Hitting tab, return, or space bar on the keyboard doesn't restore the image. If I reboot the computer, I immediately have things working again.

Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated!
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post #13342 of 18891
4/6/10 at 6:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by QBA View Post

Hi me again

Now that my HTPC laptop is running thanks you guys

I need to get the server running as well.

This question is for dbone1026:

Damian, I want to buy the server parts in this site since I got 100 bucks in store credit.

I was looking for your mother board but is not there, bellow is a similar one but some of the model numbers are not the same.

Can you please take a look and tell me if I should buy it for the server, or can you be so kind and look around that site and tell me what other motherboard I should get.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...rkey=GA-MA785G

Should stick with the same CPU?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...=ADX245OCGQBOX

I could be wrong but I think that motherboard support ddr3, should I get DDR3 memory then?

Should I go for this one?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...614&CatId=3361

Or can I get away with buying[/url]

Thanks a lot

Alex

I would stick with the CPU. As for DDR3, I would just purchase 2 x 1GB, don't see much of a benefit to paying up for 4GB. Motherboard looks fine too. Crazy how much more expensive components are in Canada!!!
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post #13343 of 18891
4/6/10 at 6:53am
Thanks a lot Damian,

The crazy part is that right now the Canadian dollar is almost up to part with the US one and these bastards don't lower prices down. I usually buy from US sites, but free shipping from Canadian sites is what make prices compatible.

thanks again
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post #13344 of 18891
4/6/10 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanchope View Post


So I'm gonna finally pull the trigger on a HTPC and was just hoping to get a final idiot check. I am starting from scratch here, so I need everything (cables, keyboard, etc etc).

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

ADESSO WKB-3200UB Black 103 Normal Keys 2.4 GHz RF Wireless Multimedia/MCE Keyboard with Optical Trackball - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail

ASUS P7H55D-M EVO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 compatible GeminII S RR-CCH-PBU1-GP 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Reader Model iHOS104-06 - OEM

Antec Black Aluminum / Steel Fusion Remote Black Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - Retail

Am I missing anything? Are there any things I should consider changing? Thanks in advance for any thoughts or ideas.


Quick newb question here. Some of the parts started arriving and I just noticed that many of the components were shipped without any cables or connectors. The case has not arrived yet, and neither had the motherboard. Do those typically come with cables? Or do I need to pick up a few on my own? I think I really only need 2 cables (one for the Hard Disk and one for the BD-drive). I don't want to waste any $ on unneeded cables, but I also don't want to have to run to Radio Shack to pick up cables that I should have ordered from monoprice or something. The BD-drive doesn't have any of the "normal" 4 pin power inputs, so I guess it takes some kind of SATA power input?

Thanks.
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post #13345 of 18891
4/6/10 at 7:24am
The cables should all e with your mobo
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post #13346 of 18891
4/6/10 at 7:45am
Most mobo's will come with 2 sata cables. And yes your bd drive and hard drive should use the sata interface.
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post #13347 of 18891
4/6/10 at 9:10am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mburg View Post

I am using the onboard (MOBO) DVI-D out to my Pioneer KRP-500M 50" panel. I have loaded Windows 7, and things are working very nicely except for one issue. When I either turn off the TV or switch to another input on the panel (e.g., ROKU box, cable box) and then go back to the DVI-D input from the HTPC, there is nothing on the screen other than the message "No Signal". Hitting tab, return, or space bar on the keyboard doesn't restore the image. If I reboot the computer, I immediately have things working again.

Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated!


Gefen HDMI Detective Plus (or DVI Detective Plus) should work. Thanks.
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post #13348 of 18891
4/6/10 at 9:20am
Thanks!
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post #13349 of 18891
4/6/10 at 10:20am
Sorry guys I keep going back and forward

I was thinking

Since I have to buy a new motherboard, CPU and RAM, to build a server pc. Why don't I pay a little bit more for those parts and I could build a second htpc/server. I got 4 TVs around the house and media center only support 4 tuner at the time. so by having a second HTPC I could add 2 more HDhomerun double tuner to the network.

So if I buy this CPU, What motherboard and RAM do you guys recommend me to put together my second HTPC/Server?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...156,%203.33Ghz


Thanks a lot

Alex
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post #13350 of 18891
4/6/10 at 11:33am
Hello,

First off Thank You to you all that share your wealth of information here. I'm going to make a donation as soon as I post this.

I'm going to build a Mini-ITX HTPC and would like advice or comments on my choices. Feel free to rip part what I choose if you feel something makes more sense. Take into account I do no gaming at all

Zotac H55ITX Mini-ITX Motherboard

Intel Core i5 650 CPU

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

Antec ISK 300-150 Mini-ITX Case

SilenX IXP-52-11 80mm Case Fan x2

Windows 7 Professional 64bit

Hard drive 2.5 or 3.5 please recommend what will fit in the antec case
Blu Ray Drive Please recommend
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