Hi there
I am after this since 2 -3 weeks now, i have done significant research now, however i am not experience as you people. so need some advice before i start buying parts. i also have few doubts on my selection.
The HTPC will only be strictly used as HTPC but nothing else.
The HTPC will be connected to a 42" Full HD Plasma [Panasonic 42py800]
For Sound, HTPC will be connected to my Yamaha RX-V657 amp via digital optical or coaxal for 5.1+ effects
Will be Running XP PRO SP2 as an OS unless Vista is giving anymore functions related to HTPC.
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 or
AMD Phenom 8450
Motherboard
Microstar P35 NEO ATX or
Asustek P5K Intel
P35
Case
Silverstone LC17 Black
PSU
Silverstone ST50F 500W
HDD
Western Digital 7200rpm 750GB SATA or
2 X 320GB SATA
Graphic Card
GeForce 9600 GT, 512MB PCI-Express or
ATI Radeon HD 3870
512MB
RAM
Corsair Dominator XMS2 2Gb DDR2-1066 PC8500
Sound Card
Not decided
Tuner Card
Hauppauge HVR3000 or
Hauppauge
HVR2200
Keyboard/Mouse
Microsoft OEM Remote Keyboard MCE
or the mini Divio edge from logitech
Right, now i spent half of the time researching about what graphics cards since few cards did not support h.264 hardware acceleration and were not HDCP complaint. please correct me if iam wrong about the selections. or suggest me anything better.
I am not sure if i have selected the right motherboards. personally i would like to stay with Asustek and MSI if possible. the two MUSTS in the motherboards are 2 PCI express slots. since the tuner card and graphic card will both use that bus. Onboard HD 7.1 sound might do, depending on how big difference i will have by putting a Auzentech 7.1. if its not very essential to enjoy DTS, dolby, then i will stick to the onboard.
As a tuner card i see HVR2200 is very hard to get due to the popularity, i still dont know why its so popular?. HVR3000 is the same isnt it?. since HVR2200 is discontinued by supplier?. please advice me on this? are there any compatibility issues with MCE, MediaPortal GBPVR?. This part has to be very reliable because schedule and one touch recording is the main for purpose of this HTPC.
For memory i think 2gb DDR2 is enogh isnt it?.
for HDD i thought 750GB will be enough. the doubt was whether i should i have 2 X 320 or 1 single big capacity HDD? any performance difference over each other?.
As a keyboard i like the MCE edition keyboard because of the jog on it which can be used as mouse. although its very hard for a new user to get used to. how is the new mini dvino btw? anyone here used it?.
i dont want to AMD vs Intel but i just wanted a CPU which which is worth. my budget on CPU is $190 ish. because the motherboard will change depending on the choice here.
As a case LC17 is very cheap, looks good too. anyone faced any problems with it so far?
----------------------------------------------------
OK i think i have talked enough. Please guys please let me know if i have chosen anything wrong, also let me know if something is a overkill(too much for a htpc).
I am after this since 2 -3 weeks now, i have done significant research now, however i am not experience as you people. so need some advice before i start buying parts. i also have few doubts on my selection.
The HTPC will only be strictly used as HTPC but nothing else.
The HTPC will be connected to a 42" Full HD Plasma [Panasonic 42py800]
For Sound, HTPC will be connected to my Yamaha RX-V657 amp via digital optical or coaxal for 5.1+ effects
Will be Running XP PRO SP2 as an OS unless Vista is giving anymore functions related to HTPC.
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 or
AMD Phenom 8450
Motherboard
Microstar P35 NEO ATX or
Asustek P5K Intel
P35
Case
Silverstone LC17 Black
PSU
Silverstone ST50F 500W
HDD
Western Digital 7200rpm 750GB SATA or
2 X 320GB SATA
Graphic Card
GeForce 9600 GT, 512MB PCI-Express or
ATI Radeon HD 3870
512MB
RAM
Corsair Dominator XMS2 2Gb DDR2-1066 PC8500
Sound Card
Not decided
Tuner Card
Hauppauge HVR3000 or
Hauppauge
HVR2200
Keyboard/Mouse
Microsoft OEM Remote Keyboard MCE
or the mini Divio edge from logitech
Right, now i spent half of the time researching about what graphics cards since few cards did not support h.264 hardware acceleration and were not HDCP complaint. please correct me if iam wrong about the selections. or suggest me anything better.
I am not sure if i have selected the right motherboards. personally i would like to stay with Asustek and MSI if possible. the two MUSTS in the motherboards are 2 PCI express slots. since the tuner card and graphic card will both use that bus. Onboard HD 7.1 sound might do, depending on how big difference i will have by putting a Auzentech 7.1. if its not very essential to enjoy DTS, dolby, then i will stick to the onboard.
As a tuner card i see HVR2200 is very hard to get due to the popularity, i still dont know why its so popular?. HVR3000 is the same isnt it?. since HVR2200 is discontinued by supplier?. please advice me on this? are there any compatibility issues with MCE, MediaPortal GBPVR?. This part has to be very reliable because schedule and one touch recording is the main for purpose of this HTPC.
For memory i think 2gb DDR2 is enogh isnt it?.
for HDD i thought 750GB will be enough. the doubt was whether i should i have 2 X 320 or 1 single big capacity HDD? any performance difference over each other?.
As a keyboard i like the MCE edition keyboard because of the jog on it which can be used as mouse. although its very hard for a new user to get used to. how is the new mini dvino btw? anyone here used it?.
i dont want to AMD vs Intel but i just wanted a CPU which which is worth. my budget on CPU is $190 ish. because the motherboard will change depending on the choice here.
As a case LC17 is very cheap, looks good too. anyone faced any problems with it so far?
----------------------------------------------------
OK i think i have talked enough. Please guys please let me know if i have chosen anything wrong, also let me know if something is a overkill(too much for a htpc).
