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 Post subject: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 8:59PM 
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I'll just go ahead and answer MirageX's criteria questions

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

htpc - video capture/playback

2) What's your budget?

cheap as possible

3) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc.

everything but case

4) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?

case

5) Will you be overclocking?

no

6) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

plugged into TV, so I'm only really worried about supporting at least 1080p

7) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

I was trying to find something with a lot of sata ports, in the budget range, no need for dual pci-e x16 ports


I won't be setting up a massive raid array since I don't have the money or the need for much harddrive space right away. I am interested in making it as silent as possible. Also curious about any programmable lcd screens for a 5.25" bay that are decent and geared towards htpcs. I will be using an old (10+ year) gateway 2000 full tower, lots and lots of room.

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 9:11PM 
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What happened to your love affair w/ the Revo?

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 9:20PM 
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i still think its a great device, but too close to the popcorn hour

oh and I have money

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 10:04PM 
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LostBoyz wrote:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

htpc - video capture/playback

As in, TV Tuner? I assume you are going to be going for a Standard Definition TV Tuner.

LostBoyz wrote:
7) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

I was trying to find something with a lot of sata ports, in the budget range, no need for dual pci-e x16 ports

  • Lots of SATA Ports: 4 Port SATA Serial ATA PCI RAID Controller Card ($17 a pop).
    Will also need power. Let me know; I have tons of Molex to SATA converters.
  • Budget ⇒ Free Software & Old computer. Freevo works wonders on my +10 year old Dell Dimension 4100. You can install Freevo on Linux, Windows, Mac OS, or as a stand-alone Live CD.

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 10:20PM 
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tv tuner yes, hd depending on cost, might put that purchase off for now

by budget I really just meant not top of the line, since it obviously doesnt take much these days to playback fullhd content. There will be no gaming on this machine.

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Sat 02-20-2010 10:55PM 
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got a quick list right now, missing hdd and some case fans that I need

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128380
psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817152028
cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116265
mem: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227124
gfx: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814131339

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Sun 02-21-2010 4:33PM 
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List looks pretty good, LostBoyz

Awesome case, btw :)



mobo and CPU should be a good combination and will handle 1080p content

RAM looks good

GPU, excellent choice for a HTPC

PSU is something I never like to skimp on and RAIDMAX doesn't offer the most stable solutions.
Also, depending on what size RAID you may potentially set up, it would be good to have a solid unit.

I bet this Corsair PSU could easily outperform that RAIDMAX, and it would put my nerves at rest of a lower quality PSU ruining my other hardware.

HDD: I'd get the F3 spinpoint An extremely fast 500gb single platter drive.




Now, as you said "you've got money".... :D
This setup would be $80 more from the egg.

i3-530 + Gigabyte combo $200

or microcenter has the i3-530 for $99 on sale, then mobo for $90= $190

then
RAM: DDR3 2gb Patriot would work, or a cheap 4gb set

The major benefit of this setup is that it supports TrueHD/DTS.


Don't forget that the majority of HTPC software/media library stuff still has some compatibility issues with 64-bit operating systems. I'd avoid the headache and install a 32-bit OS.


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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Sun 02-21-2010 6:26PM 
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I painted the case today, I won't be ordering parts until next weekend since I am actually coming down to rolla/salem end of this week for the 100 acre wood

The PSU is what I currently have in my pc, its been solid for about a year or so now, but I will check out the other

I'll consider the i3, but if it is just overkill, I would say the $80 isn't really worth it. That and the gpu supports TrueHD

edit: actually I will probably go with this combo, seems like exactly what I want, but would the onboard be enough or should I still grab the hd5450

I was just going to get a student copy of windows 7 32bit


Only other thing I have no experience with is tv tuner cards, any input would be great on that

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Sun 02-21-2010 9:00PM 
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pics of the case? I hope your SF logo is on there.

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Mon 02-22-2010 1:06AM 
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New technology is confusing/different

The GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2H does not have an onboard video chipset.

However, the i3 has a built in Intel chipset that is capable of 1080p playback.

Therefore, by adding that CPU, you add gfx to the mobo.


But for any gaming, I'd imagine its limits could be quickly found.

I heard one testimony of TF2 being playable, take that with a grain of salt.

So... a HD5450 shouldn't be needed.


If you already have that PSU, might as well use it for now if the i3 hardware and 1 HDD is all that will be ran.
But, a new PSU when you get around to that array would be smart.


This STICKY has a ton of info about cable cards. Unfortunately, I have zero experience with them.


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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Mon 02-22-2010 5:59AM 
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Don't know where you live LostBoyz, but I stumbled upon this ad for Frys.

http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP ... 8709&type=

FRY's in store only
i3 combo we discussed earlier for $130 after MIR

$70 less than the egg.


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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Mon 02-22-2010 5:25PM 
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blitzvergnugen wrote:
pics of the case? I hope your SF logo is on there.


I considered it, but no it has been left out, though I do still have a couple vinyl stickers left, might be added later



MirageX, I don't already have the psu for the build, I meant my main computer has one. That and it has been fine for 4 hdds, 8800gt, and q6600 OC'd. I am not set on it though and will probably get the other psu. I think this just had too big of a deal to pass up from my last build

and sadly I live nowhere near Fry's

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Mon 02-22-2010 10:42PM 
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Except you're passing right by one this week... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... F8&t=h&z=7

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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Mon 02-22-2010 10:44PM 
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blitzvergnugen wrote:
Except you're passing right by one this week... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... F8&t=h&z=7

He'd probably have to buy a parachute first.


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 Post subject: Re: building a modest htpc/fileserver
PostPosted: Tue 02-23-2010 3:41PM 
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Cylord wrote:
blitzvergnugen wrote:
Except you're passing right by one this week... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... F8&t=h&z=7

He'd probably have to buy a parachute first.

qft

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