[realbrandon]

Finally, with all the help I got here, especially the extraordinary guide by an1913t, I think I am now ready to put the list together for my up-and-coming HTPC. Please give me your thought on them, your suggestions as well.


1. Case: IAN LI Black Aluminum PC-C37B, $170

2. Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H, $130

3. CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz, $120

4. CPU cooler: Thermaltake CLP0527 92mm CPU Cooler, $44

5. PSU: Antec earthwatts EA380 380W. $45

6. Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800, $47

7. HDD: I have a 250GB for now, will use it for OS and applications

8. DVD-ROM: I have a spare one now, will use it for initial setup.


I still have some questions about my setup.

1. Is the PSU powerful enough? I would think so for 380W.

2. Is the on-board audio good for karaoke? I want to do some karaoke on this baby as well. I plan to get a 4-mic wireless microphone system. Can I connect its output directly to the “mic in” on the on-board audio?

3. What HT software do you recommend? I will play BD/DVD and music, and would love to have an all-in-one software that handles all.

4. My AV receiver is Sony STR-DG720, does the HDMI out on the motherboard work well with it?

5. How about remote control? Please give me your suggestion.


Thanks so much for your help. Your c&c are greatly appreciated.

 

[H8nXTC]

If the case will fit it, I think this would probably be a better CPU cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106129

 

[realbrandon]

Thanks for the suggestion, H8nXTC. The reason I chosen "Thermaltake CLP0527 92mm CPU Cooler" is because I heard somewhere that it also blows some air on to the GPU on the MB.

Quote:
Originally Posted by H8nXTC /forum/post/16823981


If the case will fit it, I think this would probably be a better CPU cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106129

 

[hirent]

Way overkill for a HTPC!

Are you gonna use this for any kind of gaming or overclocking at all? I fail to understand the need of expensive components in your build.


You can get a AMD (MB-CPU) combo for about the same price as your selected board.


Either use a 780G or a 8200/8300 board and you can decode HD video w/o any problems. No need of a video card.


With the 780G you need to get a video card to stream PCM to your Sony receiver. With the 8200/8300 you don't even need that; it has the capability to decode HD video and stream up to 8 channels of HD quality PCM audio. The 8200/8300 is the AMD equivalent of your board (9400). They (8200/8300/9300/9400) are all NVidia chipsets.


For HTPC use you can definitely use the stock heatsink and fan on the CPU.


One of my builds runs on a 250W supply; it has a 780G + X2 6000 + HD4350, no probs whatsoever.


With AMD you will save mucho $$ for the same capability, if you need the extra power then go with Intel.

 

[realbrandon]

No, I am not going to do any gaming or overclocking. I will use it mainly for movie, music and karaoke.


I will take a second look at my setup. Thanks for your help!

Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent /forum/post/16824137


Way overkill for a HTPC!

Are you gonna use this for any kind of gaming or overclocking at all? I fail to understand the need of expensive components in your build.


You can get a AMD (MB-CPU) combo for about the same price as your selected board.


Either use a 780G or a 8200/8300 board and you can decode HD video w/o any problems. No need of a video card.


With the 780G you need to get a video card to stream PCM to your Sony receiver. With the 8200/8300 you don't even need that; it has the capability to decode HD video and stream up to 8 channels of HD quality PCM audio. The 8200/8300 is the AMD equivalent of your board (9400). They (8200/8300/9300/9400) are all NVidia chipsets.


For HTPC use you can definitely use the stock heatsink and fan on the CPU.


One of my builds runs on a 250W supply; it has a 780G + X2 6000 + HD4350, no probs whatsoever.


With AMD you will save mucho $$ for the same capability, if you need the extra power then go with Intel.

 

[hirent]

I just looked at your case too. IMO, way too expensive for the features.


Here's my take;


I have experience with 4 HTPC cases,


[1] Ahanix Devine MCE 303 (ebay)

[2] Ahanix Devine MCE 701 (ebay)

[3] Antec NSK 2480 (frys)

[4] Powerspec MCE 410 (ebay)


Here's the breakdown;

1, 3, 4 are µATX, 2 is ATX and you may be able to fit an ATX in [4].

1, 4 come with a remote control

1, 4 are low profile only, though 4 comes with a PCI extender card for full length PCI cards (not for PCIE slot)

1, 2, 3 can take std. atx power supplies while 4 comes with its own supply (don't know if there is spec for it).

1 has a front panel display, 2 has a touch-screen

3, 4 come with a power supply

Hard Drive capability: [1] - 2 ; [2] - 4 ; [3] - 2 ; [4] - 1

1, 2, 3 can hide the DVD drive out-of-the-box while 4 can't without extra effort and mods.

Looks & Design: [4] > [1] > [2] > [3]

Price: [2] > [4] = [1] = [3]


Every one of these has different features that I like. However, for my tastes, I like [4] the best. It looks sleek, low profile, comes with a power supply and a remote control. Only minuses are, no front display and only 1 hard drive.

Note: this item was never a HTPC case; it was a full blown MCE system in 2005. Now there are some leftovers floating around and being sold on ebay. This is from one seller only and he is very good. Keep checking on ebay for "MCE 410" and it may come up for sale again. These are brand-new-in-box and come with an old, old MB which you can take out and replace with your own system.


The Antec is built solid, but it does not belong in a living room. It is expensive for the features it provides and does not look as good. I would say the same about the IAN LI.


Now for [2]; the touch-screen looks cool but is a pain to get to work correctly. It uses a VGA connector which should clone your main display (TV). Depending on the resolution of your display the screen may or may not support it. Also, I don't believe it is being sold anymore.


[1] was my first HTPC case and is low profile, has a front panel display plus a remote control. Its a toss-up between [1] & [4] as far as I am concerned.