Home Theater Computer

C

Corey020

New Member
Hello,

I would like to build a computer that I can run my movies on to my LCD TV. I just don't know what I need to put in one to do this. It would be a dedicated computer, so there would be no need to have it up to spec for playing games on.

My requirements are:

1) A case that goes well with a home theater set up

2) A large hard drive with the ability to expand (one 500 Gig to start with ability to add more)

3) A video card that can send out a 1080p HD signal. HDMI output prefered.

4) I would like it to be relatively quiet.

5) O/S required

6) No monitor or speaker system.

7) Wireless keyboard and mouse

8) Wireless Internet

9) Latest Surround sound compatibility (7.1 I think)

10) Start with normal DVD drive, but should be upgradeable to Blu-Ray

11) $1000 max, but as cheap as possible.

Again, I am only looking for something to play movies on my big screen tv and to store my movie collection.

Thanks in advance,

Corey
 
When talking about HTPC systems, you would probably be better off in a forum that is dedicated to HTPC. I am not a member of the following forum, but just thought I would give you a link. There are a few people here that have HTPC systems. But mostly we are gamers or just avid computer users.

I am not trying to chase you off, and please stick around, you can really be surprised at the knowledge on these forums.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=145
 
paratwa said:
When talking about HTPC systems, you would probably be better off in a forum that is dedicated to HTPC. I am not a member of the following forum, but just thought I would give you a link. There are a few people here that have HTPC systems. But mostly we are gamers or just avid computer users.

I am not trying to chase you off, and please stick around, you can really be surprised at the knowledge on these forums.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=145
Click to expand...

Technically, we can help him with the build. After all, we do that alot :D...

Budget?
 
oscaryu1 said:
Technically, we can help him with the build. After all, we do that alot :D...

Budget?
Click to expand...

But are you up on the latest of HTPC parts, and what is best for what he wants to do? A HTPC is a lot different than the average computer. There are different requirements that I know I am not up on. And I have looked at building one off and on for a couple of years.
 
Silverstone silver HTPC Case -$125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163066

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.2ghz CPU -$125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031

ECS LGA 775 P965 ATX Motherboard -$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135022

Wester Digital Caviar 500GB SATA Hard Drive -$105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Gigabyte 8600GT Passively Cooled GPU -$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125070

Wintec AMPX 2GB DDR2 800 Memory -$40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161229

Corsair 450VX 450watt PSU -$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

Turtle Beach TBS-3300 7.1 Optical out Sound Card -$60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118109

Hauppauge WinTX- HVR 1800 MCE HD Tuner -$105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015

Samsung SATA DVD Burner -$30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Enermax 80mm Case Fan – X3 -$18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999199

Scythe 90/92mm PWM Case Fan -$9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185048

Cooler Master Gemin II CPU HSF -$30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103026

Xterasys Wireless Adapter -$15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833147017


That's my list, comes out to about $940 NOT including all mail in rebates. The case looks very nice, it has a 500gig hard drive, the 8600gt runs passive and should be able to play HD videos flawlessly. There's a HD tuner, a soundcard with optical out so you can hook it up to your receiver, a wireless card and a passive CPU heatsink. All the fans should be very quiet too.
 
oscaryu1 said:
Hmm... The only different things are the GFX and case right?
Click to expand...

No, there is a lot more to a HTPC system than just the graphics and case. You have to consider noise, heat, tv tuner, graphics card ( which usually has no need of a state of the art card). There is no need for a extremely fast CPU if it is going to be strictly a HTPC and not a gaming system.

Heat and noise are the 2 main factors. You want it as silent as possible but still want the parts to be cool. Usually you want to use fan less components and use very quiet fans for the case. Remember, a HTPC is designed to sit in the main TV watching room where you do not want fans making a lot of noise.

didyouknowthat: I would use a micro atx motherboard with that case. A standard ATX will fit, but make things very tight inside the case. Otherwise some nice choices.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the responses.

To answer the earlier question, I am not looking for the latest and greatest of everything, as long as it gets the job done. By getting the job done, I mean render awesome picture and sound to go with my tv. If this means I spend $500 then that is great, if I have to spend $1000, well that's fine too.

Would the suggested system be able to handle PVR type actions. Record and edit video?

I want to become a knowledgeable customer. Are there any really good FAQ's around that would help a person learn the basics of components? I mean, I know the role of everything in a computer, but couldn't tell you the difference between motherboards even with the specs sitting in front of me.
 
i would think that this is more of a baseline system, in order to edit video, i think that there would be things that have to be upgraded farther
 
I'm going to disagree on the PSU for two reasons Oscar.

1. Quality, the Corasir is slightly higher quality.
2. Power, my sig is powered by the 520 watt version and the power needs of that system should be much lower, espcially with an 8600GT.
 
PabloTeK said:
I'm going to disagree on the PSU for two reasons Oscar.

1. Quality, the Corasir is slightly higher quality.
2. Power, my sig is powered by the 520 watt version and the power needs of that system should be much lower, espcially with an 8600GT.
Click to expand...

The hec Orion 585W is also another choice to look at. No matter how crappy it seems because of the low price, it powers my rig perfectly. And, it's OC'd greatly!

39A on the 12V rail too.
 
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