HTPC Build Request Beginer Infomation.

Deafty · 08-29-2009, 08:19 AM

Hi. This will be my second build. (1st was a gaming PC).

I am looking for further information to assist my research.

Where is the best place to start? with the tv card? or...mobo ..or...?

Finished PC is to be able to:

Be viewed over a quality monitor not a tv. I would like everything in the PC.

Watch and record (simultanuosly) HdTV.
I Have a digital cable provider. Non coded signal. But can upgrade.
(this is a dvb-c card if i am not mistaken)

Stream hi quality Movies and download.

Play Blu-ray. (burner optional).

Access and play music.

Output quality sound (is a receiver reccommended or can i intergrate in the PC?)

Run from a remote and have as minimal keyboard input as possible (can this be done from a remote)

Run quitely and efficently (have been looking at "quitepc.com"

Thanks,..

Dacads · 09-03-2009, 10:51 AM

Why would you run a HTPC on a monitor?
The first place to start is obviously the case.
I recommend the silverstone models as they are spacious and well laid out

Then choose the motherboard, cpu, ram, tv tuner card and possibly graphics card if your going to be gaming.
I'll recommend an AMD system, motherboard wise go with the 780g/785g chipsets as they have all the audio/video equipment built in and hd decoding. A good CPU choice would be one of the Athlon II X2 such as 245 or possibly Phenom X2 245.
Get 4GB Crucial or Corsair RAM, this will be ideal for multi-tasking. Make sure you get a big hard drive possibly one of the Western Digital or Samsung 1TB's

To top this up make sure you get a power supply made by well known brands such as seasonic and corsair, a 400-500w will do.

Dacads

Deafty · 09-09-2009, 01:16 PM

Thanks..To answer your question,..I would use a monitor as all i need is a good quality screen. Unless I have this completely wrong what does a tv have over a monitor? Sound,..ok will have this run through an amplifier to a quality speaker setup. And a tv tuner,..this will be built into the Pc... So what is the need if I can get a better quality picture for less money?

Dacads · 09-10-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deafty

Thanks..To answer your question,..I would use a monitor as all i need is a good quality screen. Unless I have this completely wrong what does a tv have over a monitor? Sound,..ok will have this run through an amplifier to a quality speaker setup. And a tv tuner,..this will be built into the Pc... So what is the need if I can get a better quality picture for less money?

The idea of HTPC is so you can connect it to your TV in living room or whereever

Only difference is you will have bigger screen, 1080p HD depending on TV and the component, scart etc connections.
But it's up to you wheter you'll have it in HTPC case or normal mid-tower

**Tyree** · 09-10-2009, 11:39 AM

I prefer using Mid-Tower cases for HTPC. Those small cases are to cramped inside.
Folks usually want them out of sight and that usually means a poor ventilated area. 2GB of RAM is quite sufficient for a HTPC...if that is it's only use.

Deafty · 09-15-2009, 01:40 AM

Ok thanks. Now for mobo and cpu. I currently have a intel e8400 and i like it. I have noticed most HTPc'S are with AMD. Is there a reason for this?

08-29-2009, 08:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Deafty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NZ Posts: 72 OS: Xp x64 Sp2	HTPC Build Request Beginer Infomation. Hi. This will be my second build. (1st was a gaming PC). I am looking for further information to assist my research. Where is the best place to start? with the tv card? or...mobo ..or...? Finished PC is to be able to: Be viewed over a quality monitor not a tv. I would like everything in the PC. Watch and record (simultanuosly) HdTV. I Have a digital cable provider. Non coded signal. But can upgrade. (this is a dvb-c card if i am not mistaken) Stream hi quality Movies and download. Play Blu-ray. (burner optional). Access and play music. Output quality sound (is a receiver reccommended or can i intergrate in the PC?) Run from a remote and have as minimal keyboard input as possible (can this be done from a remote) Run quitely and efficently (have been looking at "quitepc.com" Thanks,..

09-03-2009, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dacads Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 188 OS: XP SP2 My System	Re: HTPC Build Request Beginer Infomation. Why would you run a HTPC on a monitor? The first place to start is obviously the case. I recommend the silverstone models as they are spacious and well laid out Then choose the motherboard, cpu, ram, tv tuner card and possibly graphics card if your going to be gaming. I'll recommend an AMD system, motherboard wise go with the 780g/785g chipsets as they have all the audio/video equipment built in and hd decoding. A good CPU choice would be one of the Athlon II X2 such as 245 or possibly Phenom X2 245. Get 4GB Crucial or Corsair RAM, this will be ideal for multi-tasking. Make sure you get a big hard drive possibly one of the Western Digital or Samsung 1TB's To top this up make sure you get a power supply made by well known brands such as seasonic and corsair, a 400-500w will do. Dacads Last edited by Dacads; 09-03-2009 at 11:04 AM.

09-09-2009, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Deafty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NZ Posts: 72 OS: Xp x64 Sp2	Re: HTPC Build Request Beginer Infomation. Thanks..To answer your question,..I would use a monitor as all i need is a good quality screen. Unless I have this completely wrong what does a tv have over a monitor? Sound,..ok will have this run through an amplifier to a quality speaker setup. And a tv tuner,..this will be built into the Pc... So what is the need if I can get a better quality picture for less money?

09-10-2009, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: HTPC Build Request Beginer Infomation. I prefer using Mid-Tower cases for HTPC. Those small cases are to cramped inside. Folks usually want them out of sight and that usually means a poor ventilated area. 2GB of RAM is quite sufficient for a HTPC...if that is it's only use. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently. Last edited by Tyree; 09-10-2009 at 11:40 AM.

09-15-2009, 01:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Deafty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NZ Posts: 72 OS: Xp x64 Sp2	Re: HTPC Build Request Beginer Infomation. Ok thanks. Now for mobo and cpu. I currently have a intel e8400 and i like it. I have noticed most HTPc'S are with AMD. Is there a reason for this?