Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 604

So when you say "higher" than GT430 are you reffering to a GT440 or is there something even higher than that?

What motherboard do you recommend for a mid-range AMD? The Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX/SB850 chipsets ATX, is no longer available from newegg. I will be using the 95Watt Phenom II X4 840. Thanks.

Graphics card

You recommend
SPARKLE SXT440512D5NM GeForce GT 440 GDDR5 512MB, $75.
But I found
SPARKLE SXT4401024S3NM GeForce GT 440 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3, $75

It has more memory, but it has DDR3 memory, does that make any difference?

Just came across this deal on memory, looks great...

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 DDR3 1333 DESKTOP for 24.99, No rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311

I've been using a WMC 7 setup with a Nvidia 9500 GT in combination with audio passtrough for about two years now. For this I connected my HDA Explosion 7.1 via spdif out to spdif in on the 9500 GT. Then only HDMI to my TV. This works fine.

I now have upgraded my TV to a Samsung 55'' D8000 and a Onkyo NX609 receiver and finding that the card (probably in combination with the CPU) has some limitations in playing back 3D etc.

I'm thinking of buying the asus GT430 passive cooled from the latest HTPC guide.

Now my questions:

• Do I still need the Auzentech Xplosion (to loop the SPDIF to the graphics card) or can I remove it and just use the GT430??
• Is this card good enough in combination with an Intel Core 2Duo 6400 or would another card be recommended (pref passive)?

The details on the motherboard show compatible memory as:
DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066

I guess we want the fastest memory without overclocking?

If so that would be the 1866

When I go to Newegg the 1866 comes in two flavors;
PC3-14900 and PC3-15000. What is the difference?

Do I want 4gb or 8gb, the price difference is only $10

PC3-14900 and PC3-15000. What is the difference?

A read on memory for Sandy Bridge Platform

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/s...-the-best-ddr3

hi

What are the current best options for 4 port and 8 port SATAII HBA's...

the best 8 port option seems to be...

HBA: Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 8-port SATA 2.0 Controller PCI Express x4 Card, $104.

what would be a good 4 port option...

G

Looks like the 1600 came out as best bang for the buck.

Appreciate the link, Amigo.

Essentially, I have three set top boxes in the house. Im looking to replace them all. My initial goal with my first HTPC, use it as a DVR, hub for Live TV, and be able to store photos/music on it to so to be able to view that content on other TVs. It will not be a media storage of ripped dvds/blu rays (not this build). I'll also have two xboxs as extenders.

Below is just a me doing my own learning, picking items based on price and my needs.

SILVERSTONE ML03B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163174

Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power (able to get it for $35 AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371031

ASUS M4A88T-M AM3 AMD 880G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131657

AMD Athlon II X3 445 (will try to unlock the 4th core)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103872

SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815345006

Windows 7 64-bit (OEM)

Im still deciding on memory, a low profile dvd player (probably just get a lite-on) and the storage. I also know depending on the current hardware and usage will dictate if a video card is needed or not. I also haven't looked into the remote option yet as well for this setup.

The power supply, may be overkill for my needs, based on what I've learned so far of PSUs for HTPCs.

Any advice, comments or suggestions would be great for this newb

Thanks

How does this GIGABYTE GA-Z68M-D2H motherboard compare to the suggested Mid-Range ASRock Z68 PRO3-M motherboard?

Here's what I see:
ASRock Pros:
USB 3.0 ports
eSata port, but one less internal SATA 3Gb/s port
Displayport port
More analog audio ports
FDD Connector (Really?)

Gigabyte Pros:
2x PCI Express 2.0 slots (x16, x4) instead of PCI slot
Cheaper base price + Rebate

hello renethx!

how you do?

did you make any tests on llano boards using DXVA2/MAdVr de-interlacing?

are you going to release an october/november buyer`s guide soon?

thank in advance

Rene another question if you will. I got my 6570 installed, everything is great with madvr and lav. Only issue is when I set madvr to change the refresh rate to 1080p23 when watching blu ray. The movie is letterboxed with black bars on the sides and top and bottom. And the picture is very jumpy.

I did not have this issue in the past with nvidia but I would set it manually back then.

I am using an Onkyo AVR and the tv is a Panny TC-P50ST30. The tv is in 60hz mode but it looked better then this in the past when sending it 24p. Do I need to adjust something in catalyst? I added 1080p23 in the custom resolutions but it didn't seem to do anything.

Also I got the same behavior when I set xbmc to change the refresh rate automatically.

How do you get LAV with AMD? I thought it was nVidia only.

The problem is my computer is melting with the GPU maxed out for 3+ hours. Or, it's really loud; the choice is mine.

I tried setting my desktop resolution to 1920x1080 and it had no impact on performance. I did notice when watching 720p stations that it only requires 35% GPU whereas on 1080i stations it uses 90%.

I did not see any options in MadVR as far as whether to upscale/downscale or anything about resolutions. Am I missing something?

Also, I noticed that MadVR reports de-interlacing as off (because upstream says so). It's possible that is what's taking the power. Is LAV CUVID the one doing this?

Thanks.

Only LAV CUVID is Nvidia only.

renethx, I think I've been persuaded to go with a micro ATX mobo as it seems to have more expandability for the future.

I've also learned that Z68's are pretty good mobos, so I think I'll concentrate on that for now.

What do you think of this budget build?
My main question is regarding the RAM. The mobo has 4 slots, but do I need to fill them all, or fill 2? Or is just 1 sufficient?

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=15656531

Also, keep in mind that I will likely be buying the processor and motherboard from microcenter, since they're cheaper.

Shameless bump Rene any thoughts? I need to donate to this thread. (went ahead and bought the recent guide.)

EDIT** Nevermind I got it figured out in the MPC-HC thread. I hadn't set the overscan for 1080p23.

Everyone,

I did the mid ATX option with the following pieces:

CPU: Core i3-2105 3.1GHz 2C/4T 65W LGA 1155 / Intel HD Graphics 3000
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Pro3-M LGA 1155 Intel Z68 chipset microATX

The problem I have is when I connect it to my TV, the desktop is so large I can't see the task bar, nor the top left or right of the desktop.

I am assuming the computer is overscanning, but I can't figure out where to change it. Any ideas?

There is a scaling option in the intel driver. You should have an icon in your system tray to adjust the graphics settings for the intel driver. It's in there.

Also you need to be sure your tv is set to 1:1 pixel mapping for the input of your htpc.