[Hoss28]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great info here. It has been a huge help, I'm pretty new to the idea of HTPC's, now I have to have one!!! I have pouring over these threads for days trying to piece something together to do what I need, which is pretty basic so far.. This is what I have picked out up to this point, so be gentle.


Motherboard Soyo SY-PI875 Dragon 2 v1.0 blk

Processor Intel P4 2.6GHz,800MHz

Memory Crucial 512MB DDR400(PC3200)

NVIDIA 6600GT VIDEO CARD

DVD/CD Burner Sony DRU-710A

HardDrive Western Digital WD1600JD 160G


I'm not into PC gaming, I have an XBOX/PS2 that I'm fine with. Really, I want use this system for a file server for some mp3's and DVDs for the most part, maybe do some post-processing on the DVD's. So, it will mainly be for video viewing. I have a Directv STB that I receive OTA HD with, but my understanding is I won't be able use that to ouput the HD to my computer and record it, I'll need and HD card for that and my STB will no longer be needed?


Would I benefit much for my purposes with going with say the ATI 9800 PRO All in Wonder card if I'm not going to be doing gaming?


I will be feeding all this into my Denon 3802 rcvr and the video will be going into and Infocus 4805 (as soon as my Costco get's their shipment!)


All my components are in a separate room right next to me and I control them with my Mx-800 RF capable remote, so I haven't decided on a case really seeing that noise really isn't an issue for me...whew.....


Sorry so long, any feedback is appreciated... Thanks!


Hoss

 

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hoss28 So, it will mainly be for video viewing. I have a Directv STB that I receive OTA HD with, but my understanding is I won't be able use that to ouput the HD to my computer and record it, I'll need and HD card for that and my STB will no longer be needed? Hoss

For the STB issue, an HD card will allow you to get over-the-air HD with an antenna, and that depends on your location. It will not let you get DirectTV HD Channels (like HBO or ESPN etc). So you may still need the STB if you want those channels, in addition to regular direct-tv.

 

[Hoss28]

Thanks for the reply, Minhi. Do you think I am limiting myself with my choice of video card. I can go up to around $250 or so for that component. Do you think the 9800pro gives me any more? Do you see any pitfalls in my system? Thanks...

 

[mnn1265]

In that price range the 6600GT is definetly the way to go... gaming or not.

 

[cualexander]

Correct me if I'm wrong but 6600GT is a PCIExpress Only Board right now. The intel 875 chipset doesn't support it. I know this because I'm currently looking into a similar solution

 

[PatG25]

I am also interested in getting an HTPC setup, with the same requirements as Hoss28. I also have a DirecTV HD box and get both HBO HD and OTA HD. My main goal is to be able to time-shift the OTA HD and all regular (non-HD) DirecTV channels. I'd like to be able to record a OTA HD Program while watching a regular DirecTV program, and vice versa. No gaming required, PS2 works great for that.


Should I go with a different video card? What about a capture card, any recommendations? Best DVR software that works with HD?

 

[Hoss28]

Thanks cualexander. I will get back to the drawing board. I was having a friend who knows how to build PC's peice together a system with me, and then I was going to come here and ask how I needed to tailor it for my needs. He had chosen the ATI 9800PRO in my setup. But, after all the reading here, it sounded like the 6600gt would have been a better choice for me, so if I want that video card I'll have to choose a different motherboad. Any suggestions. The reason I had chosen that Soyo was because of the extras it seemed to come with. Back to researching, thanks..


Hoss

 

[cualexander]

As I've done a lot of research regarding the 6600gt, I can recommend what I'm going to get for my new system:


Asus P5AD2 Premium(Regarded by many as the best 925x chipset board, everything but the kitchen sink, 8 channel audio, 8 sata ports, dual gigabit lan, wirless g lan built in, goes on and on...)

Pentium 4 530 3.0ghz

512MB PC 4200 240pin RAM

XFX 6600GT (Because it has Dual DVI and its very cheap!)

X-Connect 500w PSU


If you do your pricing research all of these components can be had for a bargain price but they are all Top Quality Components. For instance the PSU I listed is cheap but it pushes 34A on the 12V+ rail, which is very rare for PSU's and its also one of the coolest psu's I've ever seen. All of those are ultra high end components but cheap, but for instance if you downgrade to the lower model ASUS 925 or 915 boards, they still rock and are even cheaper. Also if you knock down the P4 to a lesser chip you could get it for super cheap considering the 6600GT does all the hardware video decoding for you.

 

[Hoss28]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to price the system out that you suggested. I don't need the dual DVI though, will the 6600 do ok for me instead, or should I stick with the 6600GT? I don't fully understand the differences between the two. I'm looking to build my system in the next couple of weeks then the fun begins.


Thanks...Hoss

 

[weldon]

I've been really happy with Asus motherboards in the past. If you don't need all the bells and whistles of the P5AD2, you can get a P5GD1 for less than $140. You give up DDR2-533, firewire, Raid5, wireless, some SATA ports, etc. You still get Gigabit ethernet, SATA, RAID 0/1, DDR400, High-Def Audio - plenty for most HTPC applications.

 

[Axel]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hoss28 ....., so if I want that video card I'll have to choose a different motherboad. ...

Please keep in mind that you will also need a different CPU (Socket775) and RAM (DDR2) unless you find a mobo that supports "current vintage" CPU/RAM (I had heard rumors that some mobo manufactures could potentially offer that).

____

Axel

 

[Hoss28]

Great, thanks guys. I'm still researching quite a bit, I only want to do this once, at least until next year! The p5ad2 does look fantastic, it may be overkill though. Then again, I never know what I'll be getting into next, I might as well go as high as my budget will allow. What about getting the Intel P915PBLL and P4 530 processor with some DDR2 RAM, this lowers the cost of of my mobo but I think it has everything I need and I can get a little bigger processor than I was going with before. Do you see any pitfalls that I would be getting into here? Thanks...


Eric