Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 526

Thanks, noise isn't a huge concern as the server is not exactly quiet (I replaced out most of the case fans but for whatever reason two of the fans cannot be replaced out without sounding the case alarms). What would you suggest as a replacement for the stock CPU cooler?

Cheap $15 DP to hdmi adapter I used passes audio.

I believe that the following Socket 1156 motherboards offer DDL as part of the Dolby Home Theatre package (http://www.floppyhead.com/2008/03/13...-theater-pc/):

GA-H55M-USB3 (UATX)
GA-H55-USB3 (ATX)
GA-H57M-USB3 (UATX)

I read this from the specifications page of the website. http://us.test.giga-byte.com/Product...e=GA-H55M-USB3)

The DDL and DTS Connect features seem to be with some, but not all, of the boards with Realtek AC889.

I couldn't find any asus boards which advertised this ability.

But those boards above might be useful if someone needs to use optical out.

Need some input on a build.

Looking to be able to do 1080p MKV's.
Will be hooked to my Panny 50" S2 via HDMI

I do have some parts I could piece together but they are a bit older, not sure if it will do what I want. Can someone please give some input

AMD Athlon64 x2 5200 CPU (dual 2.6ghz)
ASUS A8N-SLI Mobo
4gb PC3200 RAM (mobo only supports 3200)
Don't have a video card, so I'm open to suggestions. Was looking at a GTX430

Also, need to know what software suite would be best suited for the MKV playback. Should I just use Media Center in Win7?

Would also like to be able to do Hulu/Netflix on it as well.

With this old junker be able to do it you think?

Perfect, I meant the GT430, not the GTX.

Thanks for the input. I figured it should be enough but wasn't sure.

I'm hoping someone can help me pick between 2 processor/mobo combinations I'm stuck on.

I was about to get:
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-UD2H
CPU: Athlon II X2 250

and then I saw a sale on a Core i3 bundle:
Motherboard: MSI H55M-E33
CPU: Intel Core i3 550

Price wise the i3 bundle is only $10 more so pretty negligible. I plan on using integrated video either way I go. The Gigabyte mobo seems to have better features (USB 3.0, Sata 3, eSata port) thus being more future proof, although they are things I won't be using initially. The MSI motherboard is pretty bare bones. But the Core i3 is a better processor than the Athlon X2 250.

Anyone have any suggestions on which way to go on this? I need to pull the trigger soon and I'm having a very hard time deciding!

Thanks!

Well I don't really want to/can't spend any more money. I have a strict budget I'm following for this so really it's between the two options above. They are cheaper because they are both on sale. If you had to pick between the X2 250 w/ the Gigabyte mobo or the i3 550 w/ the MSI mobo which would you pick?

Personally, I'd go for the i3, but that's because I also do some processor-heavy tasks occasionally and the apps are partial to Intel processors. The i3 combo also supports HD audio bitstreaming natively if you care for that. Otherwise, the features on the Gigabyte mobo makes the AMD combo a winner and there are plenty of inexpensive CPU options for AMD should you want to upgrade your CPU in the future.

I'm putting together a HTPC for 3DBR playback on a Acer projector. I don't game or anything like that. I'm just an early adopter of 3DBR. What motherboard and cpu would recommend in the $150-$200 area? If thats not possible let me know what the best bang for the buck would be. I have a case, ps, GT430 and hd already. Also what version of windows 7 would your recommend. Thanks

Could you please share where you can buy the Core i3 and Msi motherboard as a combo for only $160 as you state only a $10 difference? Thanks.

I'm in Canada so it's a little more expensive here...

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...s&promoid=1267

Not that it'll help you much in Florida

First I want to thank you for the guide. I haven't built a computer since 2000 and it has really got me back in the scene. My current build is as followed:

Phenom II X2 BE 555
Gigabyte 880 GMA-UD2H

Now the problem I have been having is finding the right graphics card. I want to play DTS-MA and DD True HD. I also do a little gaming- Starcraft 2 and Teamfortress 2 and CS Source. Nothing too crazy. The two cards I have been looking at are the MSI GT 430 1gig DDR3 and the Saphire Radeon 5570 1gig DDR3. I am curious as to which one is "better" for my current needs. Does one perform better with a certain processor. I also use avisynth for "motion flow" and upsampling through MPC Home Cinema. Would one card be better than the other. As both cards are simliar in price I am curious to see what peoples opinions are on each to help me make a decision.

I posted a related (I think) question in your old thread, but you did not reply, so I guess you're not monitoring that thread anymore...(?)

Anyway, the gist is that I bought a SAPPHIRE HD 4670 R graphics card a while back, at your advice in the previous thread, so I was hoping that you might be able to help me sort out multi-channel digital audio playback via HDMI. I am recording ATSC TV via SageTV, and it works fine other than the fact that my Denon AVR never sees anything better than 2-channel Stereo (PCM) output from the HTPC.

Can this card send multi-channel digital formats via HDMI, or not? If so, what could I be missing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Mark

Thanks for the fast response. I will go with the 5570 due to the fact I'm not going to jump on the 3d band wagon just yet. Too pricey and isn't as impressive as I thought it would be. By time 3D comes down in price and i go that route; there will be a better video card out there. Again thank you for the help and keep up the good work.

Hello renethx,

New to AVS and this forum but curious to get this guide - just made a donation, thanks in advance!

For those looking for a budget AMD CPU, you may consider the new Athlon x2 210e (2.6GHz Propus core). Low power that many are reporting successfully unlocking to quad core...

Edit: Not liking this new auto linking that I didn't put in...

renethx

I just donated $10 via paypal to you in order to get the holiday guide. I forgot to add my AVS screen name to it. But it should be coming from jhill73@gmail.com.

Thanks. Keep up the good work.

Yes, only seen them in OEM form, looks like newegg.com is already sold out of them too...

building this for my dad:

case: nmedia 6000s (good choice?)silver
psu: raidmax 380 watt atx size (pretty sure i am okay with size?)
mother board: ASUS P5G41C-M LX LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
cpu: Intel Celeron E3300 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
ram:G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
gpu (on board gma x4500)

total price 300

1. will i have everything i need to assemble the htpcs (his and mine?) out of the box? do i need to order other things? (besides windows) kinds of tools? dvi to hdmi stuff?
2. are there any parts (slight cheaper or maybe a little more that would enhance performance?)
3. should i throw in a cheap video card? i wont game heavily. yet

ps i dont want to be embarresed christmas day assembling something and not beeing able to use it.

pps. i need a optical drive right? dont see it mentioned in the forums much. please respond assap i gotta order this crap!

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on my microATX htpc build. I'm primarily hoping to use my htpc as a dvr replacement using the ceton infinitv card. I may use it for bluray playback in the future, but I have numerous bluray players, so that isn't a key requirement. Silence is a key requirement.

I was planning on using the antec remote fusion case, but after all the complaints I've read regarding the LCD contrast ratio and the iMON software I'm starting to have my doubts. I plan to use my existing harmony 890 remote and I'd rather have no LCD than an LCD that is non-functional.

With that in mind I've been looking at possibly moving to the Silverstone GD05B. With the silverstone case, I would need a separate IR receiver and may need to replace the fans (with Scythe S-Flex) as their is no fan speed control capability and silence is key. Also, if I use an optical drive in the 5.25 bay, there may be clearance issues with the stock cooler. I haven't decided whether I want to populate the optical drive slot, so this isn't a big issue. I currently have an external bd-rw drive that I can plug in for installs etc.

Are the issues with the antic fusion remote (LCD and iMON software) really as bad as everyone says?

Should I stay with the antec, or go for the silverstone?

With noise being a factor, are there any issues with either the Antec Fusion Remote (stock) or the Silverstone GD05B (replacing the fans with the scythe)?

Any other comments on my proposed build?

My proposed build is as follows:

Case: Antec Fusion Remote Black microATX, with LCD/IR receiver/remote or SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / 0.8mm SECC Grandia Series GD05B micro-ATX (and 3 Scythe S-Flex 120mm 800rpm fans)
PSU: SeaSonic S12II 430B 430W ATX12V V2.3/EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC
CPU: Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156
MB: ASRock H55M Pro LGA 1156 Intel H55
Mem: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB SATA 3.0Gbps 7200 RPM (already purchased)
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100287L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5
Tuner Card: Ceton Infinitv4

If I go with the Silverstone, I would likely purchase AVS Gear GP-IR01BK Windows Vista Infrared MCE Black Remote Control, just for the MCE IR dongle.

One other thing...the case has to be black.

Thanks for your help!

am i running a risk putting a micro atx into the nmedia 6000

will things not align? will i have to dremel?