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Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 104

post #3091 of 18892
9/4/08 at 6:27am
I've changed my specs a little bit, and just realized that the nMediaPC does not include a power supply which I thought it did. I must have misread that or newegg corrected a mistake.

Could someone please recommend how much Watts I will need, and recommend a PSU? Do I need 300W or 450 or 430? I don't want something that is really loud either. Please provide with a suggestion or two.

Specs:
Case: nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum panel & Steel HTPC 1000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

MOBO: ASUS P5Q-EM LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

Memory: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K

HD: WESTERN DIGITAL WD10EACS 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drive

HD2: WESTERN DIGITAL WD10EACS 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drive

HD3: SEAGATE Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive

HD4: Something for the OS

DVD/Bluray Player: LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray DVD ROM SATA Model DH-4O1S-08

CPU Cooler: Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler
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post #3092 of 18892
9/4/08 at 6:54am
I am about to place an order with Newegg for a system with an ASUS M3A78-T / Phenom 9950 setup. Specs for the MB state that the Crossfire "Hybrid" setup is compatible with the ATI 3450 card, but no mention of any other card being able to work as a "Hybrid" with the IGP. So I have a couple of questions I can't seem to answer!

Would this be a decent Video setup for HTPC?
Will the Crossfire "Hybrid" setup work with newer cards?

Thanks!
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post #3093 of 18892
9/4/08 at 7:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nchaurdia View Post

When do you really need to start thinking about a separate graphics card such as the HD 4650?

What sort of stuff would you be doing other than gaming?

It's the world of parallel computing. Intel (Larrabee), AMD and NVIDIA (General Purpose GPU or GPU computing) are competing with each other. Applications are vast.
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post #3094 of 18892
9/4/08 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pwssr View Post

I am about to place an order with Newegg for a system with an ASUS M3A78-T / Phenom 9950 setup. Specs for the MB state that the Crossfire "Hybrid" setup is compatible with the ATI 3450 card, but no mention of any other card being able to work as a "Hybrid" with the IGP. So I have a couple of questions I can't seem to answer!

Would this be a decent Video setup for HTPC?
Will the Crossfire "Hybrid" setup work with newer cards?

Thanks!

Hybrid CrossFire is useless in video playback. Precisely speaking, only the GPU to which the display (or AVR) is connected is used for video playback.

The graphics cards supporting Hybrid CrossFire are HD 2400 series and HD 3400 series only.
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post #3095 of 18892
9/4/08 at 7:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nchaurdia View Post

Could someone please recommend how much Watts I will need, and recommend a PSU? Do I need 300W or 450 or 430?

300W is enough.

CPU: 65W
MB: 50W
RAM: 10W
HDD x 4: 40W
OD: 20W
Total: 185W

CMPSU-450VX, or Seasonic M12II-430 if you like modular cables.
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post #3096 of 18892
9/4/08 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikou View Post

Maybe is my first post here, but I 've been reading this for months now. I have "lost" many hours...

This is my conclusion:

MotherBorad Asus P5Q Pro 125 EUROS
CPU Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz Socket 775 275 EUROS
Graphic Card ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/512M 229 EUROS
Memory DDR2 OCZ 4GB DDR2-1066 2x2048MB 81 EUROS
CPU Cooler Zalman CNPS 9500 AT 38 EUROS
PSU Enermax MODU82+ 525Watt 1x120mm 97EUROS
HDD SATA 1000GB 7200 32MB Samsung HD103UJ 111EUROS
Case THERMALTAKE VF7001BNS DH101 MEDIA LAB BLACK 178EUROS

Maybe the prices are more expensive than what you find at the States, but here in Europe everything I think is more expensive...

I want the system to be first for HD movies in my Sony 46x3500 and transcoding videos, less for games(I do not play games).. I have an old Yamaha AVR with 5.1 analog input for the audio which I am going to change it in the next 6 months.

Any suggestions or comments ???

Thanks everybody (especially renethx) .... it is a great Thread and I have learned a lot...

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

A good selection. (Are you thinking of GPU parallel computing? If not, the upcoming HD 4650 may be enough.)



No I am not thinking of a GPU parallel computing, but I don't want to wait for the HD 4650 to be out to the shops... and I could not think of a better choice...

The keyboard is also something that keeps me back to place the order because I do not find the ones that you suggest in page 85 very comfortable... They are big... I am trying to find something smaller with trackball but is difficult.... has anyone seen this ???

Thank you for the previous answer... Excellent threat... it has keep me busy for the last months.
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post #3097 of 18892
9/4/08 at 8:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikou View Post

No I am not thinking of a GPU parallel computing, but I don't want to wait for the HD 4650 to be out to the shops... and I could not think of a better choice...

The official release date of HD 4650 is September 10th. I don't know if cards are available immediately, however. The best choice for HTPC is HD 4850 right now. HD 4870 is identical with HD 4850 except for higher core/shader clock and GDDR5 that are useful only for gaming; it consumes much more power (40W more than HD 4850, and HD 4850 itself 30W more than HD 4650, at idle!) and costs more.
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post #3098 of 18892
9/4/08 at 8:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

AFAIK

Fusion Remote Black = Fusion 430 Black - PSU + iMON remote controller.

Newegg lists a Remote Black that has a 350W PSU built in. Is that going to be enough for my system? No dedicated GPU, probably going with the Q6600 processor.
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post #3099 of 18892
9/4/08 at 9:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Satan. View Post

Newegg lists a Remote Black that has a 350W PSU built in. Is that going to be enough for my system? No dedicated GPU, probably going with the Q6600 processor.

It it this case?


It's Micro Fusion Remote 350. Yes, 350W is enough for your system. Check also Antec NSK1480 (no LCD, no remote).

Fusion Remote Black I mentioned is a different full-height case:

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post #3100 of 18892
9/4/08 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Hybrid CrossFire is useless in video playback. Precisely speaking, only the GPU to which the display (or AVR) is connected is used for video playback.

The graphics cards supporting Hybrid CrossFire are HD 2400 series and HD 3400 series only.

I see. So the implication is that if I want the primary function to be Video Playback, get a high end graphic card (4650/4670). If primarily for 'putin, then the IGA with a 3400 in a Hybrid Crossfire config is the way to go??
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post #3101 of 18892
9/4/08 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pwssr View Post

I see. So the implication is that if I want the primary function to be Video Playback, get a high end graphic card (4650/4670). If primarily for 'putin, then the IGA with a 3400 in a Hybrid Crossfire config is the way to go??

Depends on your purpose. For video playback, HD 3300 with Phenom is enough (and 9950 is overkill). For gaming, get HD 3850 or higher and forget about HD 3300 (it's useless). If multichannel LPCM matters for you, then get HD 4650 or HD 4850.

3D performance:

4650 < 4670 < 3850 < 3870 < 4850 < 4870 < 4870 X2
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post #3102 of 18892
9/4/08 at 9:55am
what is the difference between 9850 black edition and 9850 non black edition?
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post #3103 of 18892
9/4/08 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by audionewer View Post

what is the difference between 9850 black edition and 9850 non black edition?

Multiplier is unlocked both upward and downward in BE, while it is unlocked only downward in non-BE.
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post #3104 of 18892
9/4/08 at 10:27am
Quick question: does a Geforce 7600gs have enough muscle to do decent post-processing on 1080i MPEG2?

I've got one laying around. Otherwise, I'd buy an 8600GT.
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post #3105 of 18892
9/4/08 at 10:55am
I would like to purchase the parts for my new HTPC today but would like some final advice/tips. If you have a minute, could someone look over this list and let me know what they think:

http:// secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=8326331&WishListTitle=Matt's

it is just going to be used for blue ray playback (will have to buy the blue ray a bit later), and other media like pictures and music.

Will it remiain cool enough on the stock HS?
will it all fit?
will it hook up easily to my receiver (plan to use the optical cable)?
I have an vista OEM 32bit edition, will it install correctly (some reviewers said they needed vista w/sp1 to install the OS)
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post #3106 of 18892
9/4/08 at 11:06am
one more thing.... will that cheap DVD drive output 1080i to my tv through the HDMI output? Sorry, I don't know much about HD coming from a computer and if it is the drive that upconverts or the video drivers.... Thanks
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post #3107 of 18892
9/4/08 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wstcoaster07 View Post

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...tle=Matt's

- Hard drive space...you can never have enough and 500GB is just a few bucks more than that 250GB.
- Might as well get a DVD burner for ~ $6-7 more. I recommend the Samsung SH 202/203 series.
- The stock HSF will be fine, but others will be cooler and quieter.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wstcoaster07 View Post

one more thing.... will that cheap DVD drive output 1080i to my tv through the HDMI output?

Yep. Its nothing to do with the drive, though.

I might consider a Geforce 8200/8300 chipset based board instead. I've read about lots of weird issues with the 780G not initializing the HDMI port after you turn your TV off and back on with the computer running.
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post #3108 of 18892
9/4/08 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noah View Post

- Might as well get a DVD burner for ~ $6-7 more. I recommend the Samsung SH 202/203 series.

While you're at it, might as well go with SATA. Right now, there's barely (if any) price premium for SATA optical drives. You'll be glad you did especially in a case as tiny as yours. The Sony drive you selected is $26.24 ($17.99 + $8.25 ship). For the same price, you can find several SATA DVD burners w/free shipping.
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post #3109 of 18892
9/4/08 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noah View Post

Quick question: does a Geforce 7600gs have enough muscle to do decent post-processing on 1080i MPEG2?

I've got one laying around. Otherwise, I'd buy an 8600GT.

No, 7600 GS is poor in deinterlacing.
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post #3110 of 18892
9/4/08 at 12:52pm
Does anyone know if the Asus P5Q-EM supports Dolby Home Theater/DTS Connect. It has the Realtek ALC1200 about which I am not able to find much info, but it seems to be as new as the ALC889 chipsets which do support these features.

As my receiver has no HDMI, I would want to be able to get all audio as digital 5.1 from the HTPC and just use 1 connection, and these technologies seem to be the best for that. Or are there any alternatives? I know some media players will reencode audio but I really prefer it to be a universal solution.
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post #3111 of 18892
9/4/08 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Defcon View Post

Does anyone know if the Asus P5Q-EM supports Dolby Home Theater/DTS Connect. It has the Realtek ALC1200 about which I am not able to find much info, but it seems to be as new as the ALC889 chipsets which do support these features.

As my receiver has no HDMI, I would want to be able to get all audio as digital 5.1 from the HTPC and just use 1 connection, and these technologies seem to be the best for that. Or are there any alternatives? I know some media players will reencode audio but I really prefer it to be a universal solution.

Yes it does support dolby surround from what I understand. I haven't ordered it yet, and I'm not an expert either. I am planning on getting this motherboard with my nMediaPC case
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post #3112 of 18892
9/4/08 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovejedd View Post

While you're at it, might as well go with SATA. Right now, there's barely (if any) price premium for SATA optical drives. You'll be glad you did especially in a case as tiny as yours. The Sony drive you selected is $26.24 ($17.99 + $8.25 ship). For the same price, you can find several SATA DVD burners w/free shipping.

CRAP. I already put the order in and completely missed the fact that I chose an IDE drive.... I have been using sata drives on my PCs for so long that I forgot they even used IDE anymore...... trying to convince newegg to reverse it now haha I feel dumb, oh well
maybe i will just take my DVD drive out of my computer for now and place the basic IDE one in it instead... haven't burned many DVD's lately anyway....
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post #3113 of 18892
9/4/08 at 1:40pm
Rene can you have a look at the system I choose:

Case
Thermaltake VF7001BNS

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4

Cpu / Cooler
AMD Phenom X4 9550
Scythe Mine SCMN-1100

Memory
Kingston ValueRAM KVR800D2N5K2/2G 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2

PSU
Corsair CMPSU-450VX

Optical disc
Lite-On DH-4O1S

Hard drive
Western Digital Caviar GP WD10EACS, 1TB

TV card / CAM
FloppyDTV C
Alphacrypt 3.05 classic

OS
Windows Vista Premium 32 bit

I am going to underclock the processor, see hxxp://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3344&p=6

Does the HD4650 has any advantages for video quality (deinterlacing) (UVD2 versus UVD+)? Is hybryd crossfire possible with the HD4650? I am not interested at the LPCM at this moment. I will connect my receiver to this media center with SPDIF. Will I always get 5.1 sound?

When SSD disk are cheaper I want to buy one and make that one my OS disk. In the near future I probably buy 2 more 1 TB disk for Raid 5. Hmmm... I see the case has only 3x 3.5". My preferred setup doesn't fit the case. Does anyone know a case with a maximum height of 16.5 cm? It has to fit a furniture with a 17 cm height.

Does the cooler fit the case? Does all components fit in the case? First system I choose from components...and first htpc.....

Thanks for all the info so far!
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post #3114 of 18892
9/4/08 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

It it this case?


It's Micro Fusion Remote 350. Yes, 350W is enough for your system. Check also Antec NSK1480 (no LCD, no remote).

Fusion Remote Black I mentioned is a different full-height case:


This makes sense now. Apparently I confused these two with my last inquiry on Fusion Black Remote on being 350w ps and having different fans. I didn't realize there was a new fusion 430 with remote, as well as the Micro Fusion.
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post #3115 of 18892
9/4/08 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Defcon View Post

Does anyone know if the Asus P5Q-EM supports Dolby Home Theater/DTS Connect.

Or are there any alternatives?

No, P5Q-EM does not support either of them.

Currently there is only three microATX motherboards that support either of them.

- GA-MA78GM-S2H: DTS Connect
- GA-MA78GPM-DS2H: Dolby Home Theater
- Intel DG45ID: Dolby Home Theater

Perhaps DG45ID is the best choice (and the only choice in the Intel platform).
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post #3116 of 18892
9/4/08 at 9:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BackLash83 View Post

Rene can you have a look at the system I choose:

Case
Thermaltake VF7001BNS

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4

Cpu / Cooler
AMD Phenom X4 9550
Scythe Mine SCMN-1100

Memory
Kingston ValueRAM KVR800D2N5K2/2G 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2

PSU
Corsair CMPSU-450VX

Optical disc
Lite-On DH-4O1S

Hard drive
Western Digital Caviar GP WD10EACS, 1TB

TV card / CAM
FloppyDTV C
Alphacrypt 3.05 classic

OS
Windows Vista Premium 32 bit

I am going to underclock the processor, see hxxp://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3344&p=6

Does the HD4650 has any advantages for video quality (deinterlacing) (UVD2 versus UVD+)? Is hybryd crossfire possible with the HD4650? I am not interested at the LPCM at this moment. I will connect my receiver to this media center with SPDIF. Will I always get 5.1 sound?

When SSD disk are cheaper I want to buy one and make that one my OS disk. In the near future I probably buy 2 more 1 TB disk for Raid 5. Hmmm... I see the case has only 3x 3.5". My preferred setup doesn't fit the case. Does anyone know a case with a maximum height of 16.5 cm? It has to fit a furniture with a 17 cm height.

Does the cooler fit the case? Does all components fit in the case? First system I choose from components...and first htpc.....

Thanks for all the info so far!

A good selection except that Mine won't fit the case (the cooler is 150mm, the case height is 153.5mm).

For video playback, HD 3300+Phenom is equivalent to HD 4650/4850. The mb supports Dolby Home Theater. So you don't need a discrete card. BTW HD 4650 does not support Hybrid CrossFire. The reason is clear:

The number of stream processors:
HD 3200/3300: 40
HD 4650: 320
Total: 360

Improvement by Hybrid CrossFire would be almost negligible in real world applications (i.e. games). Rather there would be lots of complaints from users that there is no real performance gain. In addition, Hybrid CrossFire is useless in video playback (only the GPU the display is connected to is used in video playback).

There are a bunch of ATX cases (in particular SilverStone) with height less than 165mm. See my case list.
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post #3117 of 18892
9/5/08 at 12:12am
Let me start by thanking you a million!

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

A good selection except that Mine won't fit the case (the cooler is 150mm, the case height is 153.5mm).

The new configuration will have a Scythe Ninja Mini as cooler. Good choice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

....
There are a bunch of ATX cases (in particular SilverStone) with height less than 165mm. See my case list.

Can you give me a link..... Found it: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...?t=940972#Case
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post #3118 of 18892
9/5/08 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BackLash83 View Post

Let me start by thanking you a million!


The new configuration will have a Scythe Ninja Mini as cooler. Good choice?


Can you give me a link?

Ninja Mini is good.

SilverStone LC10M, LC10, LC13, LC03, LC01.

nMEDIAPC HTPC 2000B, 167mm (released soon)

Lian-Li PC-C32B, 167mm

Lian-Li PC-C30B, 167mm (released soon)
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post #3119 of 18892
9/5/08 at 1:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Ninja Mini is good.

SilverStone LC10M, LC10, LC13, LC03, LC01.

nMEDIAPC HTPC 2000B, 167mm (released soon)

Lian-Li PC-C32B, 167mm

Lian-Li PC-C30B, 167mm (released soon)

Thank you for contribute those cases. I want a VFD and there are only two with that: lc03v and nMEDIAPC HTPC 2000B. I wonder if the nMEDIAPC HTPC 2000B will be available in The Netherlands. No (known) store has any products of this manufacture. I don't like the looks of the lc03v.
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post #3120 of 18892
9/5/08 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vieux View Post

# Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AMD 780G chipset microATX
...

Now the htpc won't even boot.
No POST. No Video.
It happened before, and leaving only one stick of ram did the trick to bring it back from the dead.
But not now.
So, i'm sick of troubleshooting. And the wife is about to go berzerk.
I need to get this working 100%. All the time.


Quote:
Originally Posted by amicusterrae View Post

On Newegg, there are A LOT of similar complaints about this board ... If you RMA the board, you should get the new revision back.

Returned the board to NCIX.
35$ for shipping.

Guess what?

They returned another Rev.1.0 board... USED.
I'm f'ing pissed.

They really dropped it this time.
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