Home Entertainment Desktop

I've kind of narrowed my choices down a bit on the case itself, I found an HTPC case with a built in lcd screen/remote for use with the media aspect. http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-mozart-sx-case.html
It's a bit more $$$ but I think it would fit into the plan well. Anyone have experience with remotes(etc). Pro's/con's?

Also, for the dvr end...I was looking at tv playback cards, any recommendations?

Thanks gang
 
Slightly more...but I think that feature would certainly be worth the $$$ and practical for the project. Unless ya'll have had poor experiences with them
 
Here's my latest bank breaking project list...
After adding it all up, looks like I might have to with the lower end of things. How many of you guys actually burn blu-ray versus dvd's...is it worth the extra $100? I also called Tigerdirect & they said to go with the 8800GT which is why thats included. I may also just go with the louder power supply to save some $$$. I'm also slightly leaning towards the gd01mx with the built in card reader & 2 5.25 external bays.

Case:
Thermaltake DH101 with lcd & imon software-$249
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811133060
or
Silverstone GD01MX with lcd & imon accessories-$249
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2929610&Sku=S35-1139

Motherboard:
Asus M2n SLI-$279
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...etails.asp?EdpNo=3735685&Sku=MBM-M2NSLI-9500A

Memory:
Kingston 2gb DDR2 800-$42.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134581

Video Card:
8800GT-$149 after rebate, 512mb, 1800mhz memory clock, 600mhz core clock
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814150252
or
8800GS-$119 after rebate, 384mb, 1600 mhz memory clock, 680mhz core clock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150276

Power Supply:
600Watt Ultra X3 Modular-$129
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2974472&Sku=ULT40073
or
750Watt Ultra X2 Modular-$69(Reviews say fan is very loud)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3293595&CatId=2533

Optical Drive:
LG ALL Format reader(including hd-dvd), blu ray burner, dvd & cd burner-$299
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136137
or
LG ALL Format reader(including hd-dvd), dvd & cd burner-$199
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16827136133

Hard Drive:
OS: Seagate Barracuda 7200:10 160gb-$50.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230

Media: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 750gb-$129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148298

Wireless Networking Card:
Linksys PCI 802.11g-$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124139

TV Playback/DVR:
Hauppauge TV/FM Tuner PCI-$94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116010

Heatsink:
Artic Cooling Heatsink-$29.99
http://www.frozencpu.com/cpu-arc-09.html
 
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reddevil6 said:
no my build that i did for you is better than this.
Click to expand...

Yeah, except your build has nothing to do with an HTPC...

Anyways, Archy has a pretty nice HTPC build there, but I personally like the Thermaltake Mozart case better, it's more sleek. However, if you chose to use a slightly bigger case, do consider getting an aftermarket heatsinks and better fans. The Zalman 8700 should do nicely.
 
i love the mozart case personally, but after look at the reviews of the lcd vs vfd, the lcd definitely seems worth the $$$. But I may have to slim back to the vfd if needbe. Glad to see that my setup looks good for an htpc.

How do you feel about the 8800gt vs gs?
 
1. Maybe you kids should back up your "advice" with the why. Straight out telling this man to get something else (something that is simply your opinion no less) is retarded.

2. "no my build that i did for you is better than this."

See what I mean? Learn to read people's posts, this guy wants a HTPC machine for crying out loud.

3. As for 8800GS vs 8800GT, it's really your call. The 8800GT would do a little better for gaming, for anything else...you won't see a difference. Just make sure both have the appropriate "outs" (I know at least a few of the 8800GS don't have HDTV support).
 
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Thanks alot steel. There isn't a big price difference, so I will most likely just stick with the 8800gt...I'm sure it'll pay off down the road.

Can I ask why 2 1gb sticks are better than 1 2 gb stick? The mobo has 4 slots, total memory of 8gb.
 
With 2 1GB sticks, you can run them in dual channel, which will give a slight speed boost. If you wanted to run 4 1GB sticks (2 sets of 2GB in dual channel), of course your max memory is 4GB. Fortunately, 4GB total memory will probably be just fine even 4 yrs down the road. Your call.
 
It's a pretty good board, but SLI is completely useless to you as I just don't see why you would need it in a HTPC (also the Mozart case does NOT support SLI, as it only has 1 raiser card for PCI-EXpress X16).
 
HTPC with a bit of gaming in mind.
...so does that mean you would also recommend that last mobo link? Or do you have another suggestion?

I'm 95% going with the Silverstone case. The mozart doesn't have the imon lcd.

Thanks again
 
There is really no reason to go for a SLI setup unless you just want to spend more money. If you want to game, get a single nice card now. If you were planning to add another card to the first when you feel that more power is needed, by that time many new cards will be out and prices would have gone down considerably as well. And your new SLI setup would pale in comparison to the new stuff on the market.

SLI really is only economical for people who buy very nice cards and plan to add another shortly after. It is quite the ingenious moneypit for video card manufacturers.
 
Here's a few other ideas that I had to tone things done a notch...
The last PC I built was AMD, and thats why I was leaning towards it for this build...but I guess it really does not matter as long as it runs just as good.

Asus P5K-E Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196


Intel 2.4ghz 1mb cache 775 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116070

Sony Blu Ray,dvd, cd reader-$189(Great Reviews)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827131054

Stick with the LG which includes hd-dvd & dvd/cd burner...but bad reviews

Lite-On, reviews aren't great, but not bad-$139
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225

Seems like the blu-ray drive(LG) that includes the burner has some skeptics...so I may just purchase a stand alone dvd burner for $30.

Seagate 7200:11 320gb($69), 500gb($99)...it is just for the OS though, so we'll see how money is @ the end of the build.

Corsair 620W Modular PSU-$145 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002&Tpk=corsair+620
or
Seasonic 600W-$139
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151030




I also just found this AMD mobo with wifi if I should stick with the AMD route of things...
Asus M3A32 Deluxe With WiFi-$229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowI...SUS+M3A32-MVP+Deluxe/WiFi+ATX+AMD+Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+-$76
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103212



I appreciate ya'll commenting on every part of this build. It'll definitely make for a better rig
 
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Consider getting a cheaper motherboard and a better graphics card. It seems a bit disproportional to spend so much on a motherboard just for a budget CPU.
 
Are there cheaper motherboards with built in wifi? People who though the SLi was overkill recommended the P5k due to its wifi & connectivity ports.
...or what cpu would you suggest?

Last option is to stick with what I had

I can narrow power supplies down, etc...but motherboards have such a range that they're a whole new learning curve for me.
 
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What is the difference between socket 770, and AM2+? I'm assuming the AM2+ is better, but the motherboards are exactly the same price. the 770 is...well 770, and has PCI 2.0, while the AM2+ is AM2+ and only PCI.

Thanks!
 
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