Htpc

g4m3rof1337

g4m3rof1337

Active Member
I am looking to build a HTPC, I have a Motherboard, which I got last year with my CPU, I didn't use it, and haven't touched it since.

http://www.ocworkbench.com/2006/ecs/P4M800PRO-M-V2.0/g1.htm

I need everything pretty much. I can get a new motherboard, if needed.


I want it to be like TiVo, I have an HD TV subscription, and I want to record shows and everything.

I also want to use it as a computer, it would be connected to my TV.

Is it possible to attach an actual set of TV speakers, like 5.1, or do I need computer speakers.



So, am I looking at any special parts? Or just a certain OS, cause I currently have WinXP MCE on my main computer, but I was looking at a Linux Distro that utilizes HTPC stuff.



Thanks.
 
You need a TV card that can take high-definition, a powerful CPU, losta RAM and a big HDD. You may be able to use Linux but you can get XP Home/Pro and get MediaPortal if that doesn't work.
 
PabloTeK said:
You need a TV card that can take high-definition, a powerful CPU, losta RAM and a big HDD. You may be able to use Linux but you can get XP Home/Pro and get MediaPortal if that doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Well you don't need that, if you look at the components which are used in a TiVo, you will see that even a basic Pentium Dual-Core, 1GB of RAM, and integrated video will work pretty well. I wouldn't go overboard and get 4GB of RAM, and a high end processor if it's just going to be an HTPC, although if you want to encode videos and such you may want to look into a bit beefier processor and video card.
 
Well, since it would be a secondary computer, I was thinking a nice DX9 card, the 7950gtx is like $180 and I already have a motherboard, I was also thinking maybe cheap 2gb of Ram, and a low end dual core.


How much, like an estimate.



Thanks.
 
g4m3rof1337 said:
Well, since it would be a secondary computer, I was thinking a nice DX9 card, the 7950gtx is like $180 and I already have a motherboard, I was also thinking maybe cheap 2gb of Ram, and a low end dual core.


How much, like an estimate.



Thanks.
Click to expand...
A 7950GTX is WAY overkill for an HTPC. A 7300 series card would be more then enough.
 
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