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Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 524

post #15691 of 18935
12/3/10 at 7:38am
We need an update of the recommended setup, now when we have SATA3 and USB3 as parts of the equation with corresponding new hardware such as Crucial SATA3 SSDs and WD SATA3 HDs.

BTW, Isn't the recommended GTX 470 GPU a bit too noisy, hungry and hot for a HTPC setup? I would go for a GTX 460 1GB to have a quiet and cool running system sacrificing some gaming performance.

If I had the money I would build the following HTPC
CPU: Intel i930 (same as recommended)
MB: Asus Rampage III Formula
GPU: MSI GTX 460 1GB Hawk
SSD: Crucial C300 SATA3 128 GB
CASE: Silverstone FT02
PSU:MODU87+ EMG700AWT (same as recommended)
COOLER: Megahalems Rev.B
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #15692 of 18935
12/3/10 at 8:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by childressmd View Post

> Case: Antec ISK 310-150 Mini-ITX, $77.

Anyone know if this card:

Zotac ZONE (Fanless) GeForce GT430
Dimensions 4.37in x 5.69in - 111.11mm x 144.75mm

will fit in this case?

Three NOs: (1) It's a two slot card and it wont fit at all, it wont fit NSK 2480 or Fusion either, (2) it's way too hot for such a small place, (3) it requires a 250W+ PSU. I have been using Zotac Zone GT 240 myself before my latest upgrade.
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post #15693 of 18935
12/3/10 at 1:35pm
dang i think the low end is the same. oh well cheaper.
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post #15694 of 18935
12/3/10 at 4:48pm
Hi all,

I am relatively new to HTPC/Server building and I need your help....

I've been reading and researching building a HTPC, mainly from input from this forum. Here are the components I've chosen:

Hardware
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout
M/B: Gigabyte GA-H57M-USB3
CPU: Intel Core i3-540
CPU Fan: Undecided
Mem: G. Skill F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
HDD1 (OS): A-Data AS599S-64GM-C 64GB
HDD2 (Data): (2) WD Caviar Green 2TB
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500w
DVD: LG WH10LS30K
KB/M: IOGear GKM561R

Software - Already have on hand from a previous PC
Total Media Theater 3
AnyDVD HD
VLC
FFDShow
Media Portal 1.1.2
ImageBurn
DVD Decrypter
DVD Shrink

Can someone provide steps to configure the data drives in a Raid 1 configuration? I would like the data to be mirrored on the two drives, so I don't lose my data in case of a failure. And, is this a hardware or software solution?
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post #15695 of 18935
12/3/10 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmaisn View Post

Can someone provide steps to configure the data drives in a Raid 1 configuration? I would like the data to be mirrored on the two drives, so I don't lose my data in case of a failure. And, is this a hardware or software solution?

Since the H57 MB supports (software) RAID, it's relatively straightforward to set that up. You would first install Win 7 on the OS drive, then install Intel's matrix storage software that you can download from Intel, and use that to configure the two RAID drives in the configuration you select. Hardware RAID would require installation of a hardware RAID card onto the MB
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post #15696 of 18935
12/3/10 at 7:45pm
BenSanford

I will explore that solution....thanks for your help...
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post #15697 of 18935
12/4/10 at 1:26am
i am trying to compare prices, and i am confused. so in general atx is the cheapest for what you get or micro? if i dont care about size what should i go with the get the cheapest power
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post #15698 of 18935
12/4/10 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
An Excel workbook version of Buyer's Guide to Building a Home Theater PC – Holiday 2010 is available now. A PDF version will be available later, in a week.
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post #15699 of 18935
12/4/10 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post
An Excel workbook version of Buyer's Guide to Building a Home Theater PC - Holiday 2010 is available now. A PDF version will be available late, in a week.
Regarding your donation policy, how will this affect people who have already donated?
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post #15700 of 18935
12/4/10 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post
Regarding your donation policy, how will this affect people who have already donated?
A good question. I will send the workbook/PDF to those who donated in the past 90 days without further donation.
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post #15701 of 18935
12/4/10 at 11:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post
A good question. I will send the workbook/PDF to those who donated in the past 90 days without further donation.
Sounds good, I have no issues sending a second donation, will send across in the next few days
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post #15702 of 18935
12/4/10 at 12:52pm
i am confused why dont alot of the low end setups have hdmi?
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post #15703 of 18935
12/4/10 at 12:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknacc View Post
i am confused why dont alot of the low end setups have hdmi?
Every system, low-end or not, has a HDMI port of course or at least comes with a DVI-HDMI adapter (without it, you can't connect to an AV receiver/HDTV).
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post #15704 of 18935
12/4/10 at 1:00pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, every donator. I will send the file shortly. Everything has to be done manually.
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post #15705 of 18935
12/4/10 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

______________
Premium System
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

The system as small as possible without performance compromise is:

Intel

System
  • CPU: Core i3-530 2.93GHz LGA1156, $113.
  • CPU Cooler: Stock cooler, $0.
  • Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 LGA1156 Intel H55 chipset Mini-ITX, $101.
  • Memory: G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ DDR3-1600 2 x 2GB Kit, $106.
  • Graphics Card: Sapphire HD 5570 1GB DDR3 HDMI 100293L, $87.
  • HDD: Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH080G2R5 80GB SATA 3.0Gbps SSD, $220. A better alternative is OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX100G 100GB SATA 3.0Gbps SSD, $325.
  • PSU: FlexATX 150W PSU (included in the case), $0.
  • Case: Antec ISK 310-150 Mini-ITX, $77.
  • Total Cost: $704


I am building almost the same system,but...

the prereq of the HD 5570 is to have Min 450W PSU, so how does the 150W do the job?

I am a newbie at this field, so sorry if my questions are annoying..

Thanks
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post #15706 of 18935
12/4/10 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by omerabr View Post

I am building almost the same system,but...

the prereq of the HD 5570 is to have Min 450W PSU, so how does the 150W do the job?

I am a newbie at this field, so sorry if my questions are annoying..

Thanks

The max power consumption of HD 5570 is only 43W (not 430W!). The max power consumption (actually measured at CPU/GPU simultaneous 100% load) of the above system was ~100W.
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post #15707 of 18935
12/4/10 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by omerabr View Post

the prereq of the HD 5570 is to have Min 450W PSU, so how does the 150W do the job?

Manufacturers tend to inflate the power supply recommendation to account for high-end parts (e.g. OC'ed quad-core CPU), multiple hard drives and low quality power supplies.
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post #15708 of 18935
12/4/10 at 10:05pm
so here is the system i am going to ask santa clause for christmas.

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx

i plan i just playing back at most HD mkvs, internet, emulate at most to n64. maybe some games. what kind of games COULD this play anyways?

ARE THERE ANY WAYS TO MAKE THIS A LITTLE CHEAPER FOR WHAT I EXPECT TO DO?
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post #15709 of 18935
12/5/10 at 4:56am
Rene - I hope you will continue this time consuming effort, but do understand that your time has some value. To improve the cash flow of your operation maybe you could sell off some of your old test samples as bundles. I would guess people would pay near retail for a well matched and tested hardware set. Alternatively, you could raffle them off. Another option would be to start a blog and see if you could get some of your test samples donated or as review pieces from vendors or manufacturers, though some say that may affect impartiality.

Thanks again for this great information.
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post #15710 of 18935
12/5/10 at 6:54am
Just joined the forum and donated! I'm looking forward to the guide to build my first HTPC -- thanks renethx!
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post #15711 of 18935
12/5/10 at 9:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post


Here is the basic plan for "Buyer's Guide to Building a Home Theater PC" (formerly "Recommended HTPC Systems"):
  • The guide will be updated every 3 month, in January, April, July and October (with frequent minor updates). Another plan is updating every 4 month, in January, May and September, but this is less likely.
  • The latest guide will be available for a $10 USD or more donation to each person in a PDF format (perhaps downloadable from E-junkie).
  • When the new guide is released, the past guide will be posted in the thread for reference. So even if you don't donate, you should be able to get a good overview of the current (only 3 months old) HTPCs.


Glad to see you are using my suggestion and this should make your guide more extensive and continue but make the past one still available for reference to others for free, although $10 minimum donation may be a bit steep (perhaps you could send out a CD-ROM hard copy of the guide for that price, since it would probably only cost you $1-2 each to do so, although it may be time consuming?)...
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post #15712 of 18935
12/5/10 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by H8nXTC View Post

Glad to see you are using my suggestion and this should make your guide more extensive and continue but make the past one still available for reference to others for free, although $10 minimum donation may be a bit steep (perhaps you could send out a CD-ROM hard copy of the guide for that price, since it would probably only cost you $1-2 each to do so, although it may be time consuming?)...

Actually, considering that most people spend $400 and up on a system $10 is cheap for a guide that helps all of us determine which components to assemble into a home theater. Barely more than the cost of two sata cables.

Just to hi-lite WHY Rene made this change

"Why do I need donations?
Maintaining the guide consists of

Research latest hardware components;
Acquire key hardware components and do lots of experiments;
Write the information obtained in a readable form, that requires lots of time, meditation and inspiration (not kidding).

Among them the most difficult part is the second part because it involves lots of money ($500-$1000 per month in the past) and currently it relies only on your donations and my personal funds. So please consider making a donation if you think the guide is helpful and want to see it updated for some time to come.

BTW the amount of donations in the past 3 months is

October 16 - November 15: $60
September 16 - October 15: $85
August 16 - September 15: $145 "

'Nuf said?
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post #15713 of 18935
12/5/10 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomandbeth View Post

Actually, considering that most people spend $400 and up on a system $10 is cheap for a guide that helps all of us determine which components to assemble into a home theater. Barely more than the cost of two sata cables.

Just to hi-lite WHY Rene made this change

"Why do I need donations?
Maintaining the guide consists of

Research latest hardware components;
Acquire key hardware components and do lots of experiments;
Write the information obtained in a readable form, that requires lots of time, meditation and inspiration (not kidding).

Among them the most difficult part is the second part because it involves lots of money ($500-$1000 per month in the past) and currently it relies only on your donations and my personal funds. So please consider making a donation if you think the guide is helpful and want to see it updated for some time to come.

BTW the amount of donations in the past 3 months is

October 16 - November 15: $60
September 16 - October 15: $85
August 16 - September 15: $145 "

'Nuf said?

Thanks, yes I know why he needs donations. That's why I suggested he charge a fee for the new guide and post the old one for reference when a newer one is posted. I'm just expressing that $10 may be a bit much for a guide you can't hold in your hand. That's just my opinion, just like it was mine to charge for the newest guide.
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post #15714 of 18935
12/5/10 at 8:41pm
i am looking into this motherboard

ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

the memory standard says ddr2. so does that mean i cant use ddr3 RAM?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131399
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post #15715 of 18935
12/5/10 at 9:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknacc View Post

i am looking into this motherboard

ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

the memory standard says ddr2. so does that mean i cant use ddr3 RAM?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131399

No, you can't use DDR3 memory modules. P5G41C-M and P5G41T-M support DDR3. ("C" is DDR2/DDR3 combo. "T" is ??)
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post #15716 of 18935
12/5/10 at 9:33pm
thanks for the reply renethx (whats the story on your username? )
is this a big deal not having ddr3?
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post #15717 of 18935
12/5/10 at 9:42pm
Thread Starter 
Not a big deal.
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post #15718 of 18935
12/5/10 at 10:16pm
SO here is the setup!

CPU:
intel celeron E330 Wolfdale 2.5 Ghz dual core $52

Motherboard:
ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $65

RAM:
GeIL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory $32

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $50

Case:
Antec MicroFusion Remote 350 Micro ATX Media Center $130

GPU:
crappy one that came with motherboard

PSU:
came with case

DVD:
idk, take one out of my bros pc?


total 329$

how is this build?
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post #15719 of 18935
12/5/10 at 11:09pm
Has anyone tried to use 'green' memory with the intel h55 boards?

Thanks,
Chris
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post #15720 of 18935
12/6/10 at 2:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknacc View Post

SO here is the setup!

CPU:
intel celeron E330 Wolfdale 2.5 Ghz dual core $52

Motherboard:
ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $65

RAM:
GeIL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory $32

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $50

If you are going to buy memory modules, perhaps DDR3 is a better choice.
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