[JAGREEN2]

First, I want to thank everybody for the great information on this forum. From what I've read here, I've almost finished planning out my HTPC. I wanted to get some opinions on the hardware I've selected. I will be doing this in two increments...


First:

SILVERSTONE SST-LC03 HTPC Case

ZALMAN ZM300B-APS 300W Power Supply

ABIT AN7 Motherboard

AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 400 FSB

Seagate ST3160021A, 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive

OCZ Enhanced Latency Series Dual Channel Platinum 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200

Giga-byte GV-N68T256DH, GeForce 6800 GT (with Hardware monitoring)

Sony DW-D18A, 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive

CPU fan ?


Second:

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR250MCE

Windows MCE Remote Control

Windows MCE 2005

Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler, NV silencer 5 (if needed)

Add'l case fans (if needed)


Does this look like a good selection or should I rethink some things (like wait for a 6600GT to come out in AGP)? Also, I'm looking for recommendations for the CPU fan.


Thanks.

 

[voltes]

I'm not that familiar with the Zalman PSU but at 300w I think you should go for more wattage like for example the Antec truepower 430 or more.

Just my personal opinion.

 

[mnn1265]

You didn't really list the most important thing... what it is you want this HTPC to do for you? Are you interested in playing DVD's with TT/ZP and ffdshow or are you one of those HD video chasers? PC games at all?


From what I see you've done some homework but if you're planning to do post-processing/DVD upscaling you should really look into an Intel based system - or at least consider it.


I love my 6800GT and it does a fantastic job at DVD post processing and everything else I've thrown at it including PC games (i.e. Doom3 and FarCry) as well as HD playback via Windows Media Player 10. However, there's a lot of lamenting and pouty faces around here over the fact that the 6800GT doesn't support hardware acceleration for HD video. You're system is more than powerful enough that you won't need it but if you're looking for HD Nirvana you should consider a 6600 card.

 

[JAGREEN2]

You don't think 300W will be enough for the hardware I listed? I know Zalman also makes a 400W PS. For approx the same price as the Zalman 300W I can get a SilverStone SST-ST40F 400W, or for the price of the Zalman 400W I can get a SilverStone SST-ST46F 460W.


I wanted to stick with the Zalman 300W because I can get all the hardware at the same place and stay close to my price range, but if it won't be enough I can get something different.

 

[JAGREEN2]

mnn1265, for now I'm just going to use it to replace my dying DVD player, with the added benefit of playing my MP3's and gaming. I'm still using a Panasonic 29" SDTV so I'll be using the S-Video until I upgrade to an HDTV and/or PJ.


I would like to stick with the Athlon XP is because SoundStorm still isn't available for the Athlon 64, and I've read that Intel High Definition Audio just doesn't compete with it.

 

[mnn1265]

Based on your needs the 6800GT should be a great choice then... with the AMD based system you'll not get maximum benefits from post-processing (i.e. with ffdshow) but you'll apparently get the sound setup that you want.


If you do go with the 6800GT I'd agree with voltes and go with a higher rated PS - it draws a lot all on its' own. I'd recommend 400W or better.

 

[cualexander]

As far as power supplies go I'd suggest the Ultra X-Connect 500 Watt Modular Power Supply as to me it looks like the most awesome PSU I've ever seen and I read an article in MaximumPC about a good PSU being the most important part of any high end setup.


I dont know about an HTPC case setup though as I am running more of a media server, but I think it would work.


It puts out 34A on the +12V rail which if you do any research is a very rare thing, but awesome for high end components.


Read the review here(note you can find it cheaper than they list in the review although its a great price still)

http://www.3dxtreme.net/index.php?id=ultraxconnect1

 

[JAGREEN2]

Okay, I decided to go with the 400W Zalman (since I can get it at Newegg, just like everything else). Any recommendations for a heatsink?

 

[chindman]

Quote:

Okay, I decided to go with the 400W Zalman (since I can get it at Newegg, just like everything else). Any recommendations for a heatsink?

Given 400W supply and possible use of high end video card I would

ditch the 400 FSB, 3000+ for a mobile 2600+ (1.45V 45W stock chip) . You will probably get 3200+ speeds (200x11) below 1.6V maybe as low as 1.5V i.e. same or equal throughput with less power/heat, and better overclockability (should hit 2.4 GHz easily at or below 1.75V). A 3200+ or better Athlon XP, good memory will run FFDSHOW SSE enabled 20041012 just fine for sensible settings.


I would consider getting rev 2 RAM from Corsair (XL), OCZ (Platinum Rev 2) or PQI (these are 4 nsec TCCD's from I think Samsung) running 2 2 2 5 up to 210/215 or so and will maintain tight timings to high clocks e.g. 2.5 3 3 7 at 250+ MHz DDR500). This provides more future for the RAM if you later upgrade to an Athlon64 or want high FSB OC's or migrate to the dark side. It'll cost a little more than the $30-35 you will save on the CPU)


good luck

 

[finlandia]

Quote:

Originally posted by JAGREEN2 Okay, I decided to go with the 400W Zalman (since I can get it at Newegg, just like everything else). Any recommendations for a heatsink?

I'd say a Thermalright SP-97 or SLK-947U + a panaflo or vantec stealth fan. Both heatsinks bolt through the 4 holes around the CPU socket. Real quiet and real effective. Slap some artic silver paste on there, too. Maybe a fanmate if you want to run than at a lower voltage for less noise.


Zalman makes good ones, too, but they won't mount on an AN7.


I've also read good things about Speeze's units over at the silentpcreview forums, but I don't have any direct experience with them. They sure are cheaper than the Thermalrights, that's for sure.


I second chindman's suggestion about the mobile athlon. I have a 2500+ overclocked to 3200+. Less power draw/cooler than a desktop 3200+ and the thermalright unit can handle it.