Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 519

1. No reason whatsoever. SSD's are actually better since they won't make noise like the HDD.
2. Yeah, sure. RAM prices are dropping and if you can afford it, by all means, go with 8GB. I just bought some Kingston ValueRAM 2x4GB DDR3 1333 from Amazon for $126.
3. That really depends on the software you're planning on using. For pure Blu-ray playback, I don't think 64-bit is going to be an issue.
4. Nope. CrossFireX/SLI is really only useful for gaming.

Some thoughts, you might want to go with a quad-core i5-750 instead of a dual-core i3-530. Additional power consumption at idle is minimal (~+10W) and I believe quads are required if you want to go 3D.

While Newegg usually has great prices, Microcenter has the best CPU prices right now. The i3-540 is $100. I assume you're not far from the Silicon Valley/Santa Clara Microcenter.

Ah. I should have realized the STREAMing part. My bad. In that case, agreed w/ others replies. I have a variation on the mid-range microATX system, w/ i3 530, no GPU, 4gb ram, and have had zero issues playing back all manner of 1080p streams (w the exception of 3d -- no TV to support it).

Yeah, Windows 7. As far as software depends on what you have in mind, do you know what front end you want to use for playback (i.e. XBMC, WMC +MediaBrowser/MyMovies, etc....). If you are playing back BluRay folder rips you may also want to look at TMT3 or PDVD. It you plan on using your HTPC for any ripping I would recommend getting AnyDVD or DVDFab

As far as for the build, possibly just a small tube of Artic Silver

ok, Win7 i have so i'm set there.

i am indeed trying to play from BR folder rips, and again no ripping will be done on this system. it appears i will need tmt3 plat or pdvd 10 ultra due to codec needs (both audio/video). also, it looks like neither SW package supports 6.1 / 7.1 audio streams, which is a minor issue but is a nice to have.

does that influence your recommendation one way or the other between them?

PDVD10 cannot play BluRay folder rips (they must be in ISO). TMT3 can play BR Folder rips without the need for an ISO (which is why I use TMT3). Also, for a core i3/i5 system TMT3 comes in handy if you happen to use a player like MPC HC (I use the Arcsoft Video Decoder for vc-1 mkvs in MPC HC to get DXVA)

TMT3 it is then!

now do i need the other package you mentioned? i don't think i have any mkvs format media.

I can't seem to find it, but are there spec's on how long the power cables are on the corsair VX450W PSU?

A friend gave me a Silverstone LC20 case and I tried to switch out my current Cooler Master case but the PSU cables included with the Cooler Master could not read the mother board in the new case. I also plan on building a new HTPC based on "Renex recomended HTPC" and would like to put it in the Silverstone case I already have, but just want to make sure the cables will reach.

P.S. Renex I am sure your probably getting sick of people asking, but you have an idea when you will have time to update your recomendations?

Thanks, and great thread

If you are just playing back folder rips I would go with Windows Media Center + Media Browser + TMT3 and call it a day. Keep the HTPC as minimal as possible as far as what you install on it and you should be in good shape

done and done.

hw order is in, and i'll go get tmt 3 now!

Thanks again for all of your help, VERY much appreciated!

If you plan to use TMT 3 to play DVDs, there's a plug-in called SimHD to consider. SimHD utilizes the discrete graphics adapter to do upconversion and sharpen edges. Some prefer the look it produces vs. Media Center.

when you say play dvd's, do you mean actually load physical dics into the unit? if so, then no, that will never happen

i should also point out that this will only be used for BR media not std def. does the simhd plugin do anything for 1080p source material?

Well the cosair website just says "Extra long cables support full tower size chassis". Any one who has this can you measure the cables?
Thanks

Searching online is frequently the fastest and easiest way to answer a question like this.

I googled "corsair vx450w review cable length".

Here are two reviews that state the cable lengths:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2697/10
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...=Story&reid=64

Then you have no use for SimHD.

Thanks ru4real, I missed the word review when searching

I've seen this question asked a few times, but I'll add a bit to it.

I'm trying to choose between a 5670 and 5770.

I know consensus is that 5770 is overkill for a pure HTPC. However, Cyberlink (and potentially other filter/codec sources) can't use ATI Stream on anything less than a 57xx. Why is this? Is there any advantage to Stream over regular DXVA?

As background, I'm looking for video quality. I've tried MadVR in MPC-HC on my x6/1055t and HD4250, and get terrible frame dropping. Same with the FFDSHOW frame-doubling scripts. Will a 5770 be any better than a 5670?

Thanks.

I JUST swapped a 5670 for the 5770 in my main HTPC Wed night. The 5770 is bigger, (by at least 2 inches) and now use the 6 plug power lead from the PSU. The larger card covers the main SATA ports, but if you use right angle SATA connectors you're OK. Is the picture better? Hard to tell, and I'm hooked to a 60 inch monitor! Maybe tonight I can run Star Trek again through Blu-ray....

OK, not a gamer. 2 days isn't enough to really judge, and I'm seeing a higher core temp (using speedfan) but not enough to worry about.

Oh, one other thing. I was using the PWM outlet on the side of the Gigabyte H55M-UD2H to power an external fan for the case. Seems there isn't enough juice for the fan now. There's two leads for "FAN" in the 5770 box but not sure if this is what I need. The twin fans on the board itself run fine. Both cards are VERY quite. Even with the lid off the case it's a whisper.

Not sure if this really answers your question, but I will say the 5670 is a VERY good card, and if you are not a gamer you probably could live a long time with the 5670.

Finally, I bought this as I expect to build another system next year using Bloomfield or the new processor. And to help Rene NOW I'm sending him another contribution. I would never have had the huevos to build a system without this list.

Hello: I studied renethx' June, 2010 update on page 472. Very appreciative of his great help, and anyone who contributed to this thread.

I'm struggling with the detailed specs. To begin with, I have some very rookie, general questions. So bear with me. I will be using this HTPC to mostly play music, and sometimes watch movies (DVD or Blu-ray) for the of conenience.

1. What are the differences between Radeon 5450, 5570, 5670?

2. It seems the mid range systems include more powerful CPU's than those in the low end. In general, does the extra CPU power improve video quality, or is it largely from a better GPU?

3. Will an E3300 CPU be able to work well with a Radeon 5670, or it's better to be "paired" with a 5450?

4. My display is a Panasonic PT-Ae4000, 1080p/24fps. Will the reported problems of 23.976Hz refresh rate by Intel Core i3 represent a problem with my projector? The connection is from PC via HDMI into an AVR, and HDMI into the projector.

5. Will a separate graphics card cause a lot more noise than a system with an integrated GPU? My AV rack is close to my theater seats, so I would like the HTPC to be quiet.


Thanks very much for any information to help me get started.

I'll try to answer 4 out of 5 of those.

1. The essential difference is the number of active shaders. There are other differences like clockspeeds and memory types/bus sizes but they don't impact HTPC use as much as shaders do. If you don't game a 5570 is about as good as it gets.

2. Video quality is ultimately dependent on the GPU and the associated drivers.

3. For HTPC use an E3300 is plenty based on your requirements.

5. There are passive 5450, 5570, and 5670 cards available.

I'm just wondering if anyone has posted an updated version of the mini-itx build with 'current' recommended components?

Micromain, thanks very much.

Where can I find passive 5570 cards?

Nekojita - Renethx has been quiet lately so my guess is that it may be under construction now. That, or a surely earned vacation is underway.

Hey Y'all....

I just built my first HTPC inside Antec microfusion 350 (specs below).
I use a SSD 64gb for the OS, and an external Harddrive for storage.

Even on low fan settings i find the box not quiet enough.
The first step i took was to unplug the fan near the HDD area since i only have an SSD.
It is better but still a bit too loud IMO.

CPU temps while watching normal (SD) videos are low at around 42C.

1. What do you guys suggest. Any way to get this totally passive? (maybe just with the PSU fan)

2. I'm thinking of replacing the original cpu cooler with Scythe Big Shuriken. Will this be a big difference? will i be able to disconnect more fans?

Specs:
Antec microfusion 350
OCZ Onyx OCZSSD2-1ONX64G 2.5" 64GB SSD
Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
ASRock H55M Pro LGA 1156 Motherboard
XFX Radeon HD 4350 512MB (I need Svideo out for a few months until i get my new TV)
Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW

Amazon and Newegg both carry them.

wuli. You might want to look at replacing the fans themselves. Not all fans are created equal and some are much quieter than others when running at the same speed. I wouldn't recommend disconnecting more case fans because you need them to remove the heat from the case and maintain airflow in your case so the chipset and other components don't overheat.

It is possible to go completely passive but to do it right you would need to mod the case by perforating the top fairly extensively. The heat still has to exit the case and since heat rises the top of the case is the natural place to create ventilation.

Just add a large slow fan on the top.

I have an Antec case with a 120mm fan on the top. It works so well, I've considered adding it to other computers too. That big fan is runing as slow as possible and is virtually silent. I've closed off every ventilation area on the back of the computer with aluminum metal tape except for the Power supply vent. The internal temps did not go up and the hard drives may be running cooler now, since the air comes into the case near them, instead the back of the case.

Jack

I am also interested in #4. I have a similar setup with the Panasonic AE3000.

intel clarkdale video will not do a 23.976 refresh rate it will do 24.000 or 60.000 so if you set it to 24 or 23 it will play at 24 and add a frame every 40 seconds or so. For some people this is bothersome, for others like myself it is not noticebale.

Can you further explain?

You mean on top of the CPU, or leave the cpu cooling and cut a hole in the case and put a large 120mm fan?
did you disconnect all the 80mm fans (other than the psu)?
which fan did you use?

Do you think maybe just the Scythe Big Shuriken on top the cpu will be enough? or will the rest of the mobo get hot?

Thanks!