Recommendations for a HTPC

[wollyka]

Hi
I am looking into building a HTPC for the living room to replace the old dead VHS video recorder but i need recommendations from the experts here since i never built one before (only desktop pcs).

Well, obviously, the case should be compact (not much space available in the room) and if it has a small LCD built in the better (optional).. Also i am searching for quiet components (PSU, CPUs fans, HDDs) since well you know it is in the living room and i don't want it to sound like my main PC (which is very loud with 8+ fans in it)..
The power consumption should be reasonable too since it will be used most of the day..
Main uses: Record live tv shows +DVR+ act like a media storage center (the usual stuff)

Any recommendations?
Thanks

[wollyka]

For those interested, i found this guide: very good read

Code: Select all

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14239742

[mr_noname111]

Well if you aim for low power, you will naturally get a quiet PC. An e4850 and a mATX 780G mobo seems to be the best option ATM, you could probably buy a Scythe ninja cooler (I believe the ninja mini could fit in most small cases) and run it passively for absolute silence. 2.5" hard drives are also very good for silence and low power, but since you plan on using it to record TV, you should probably get big capacity 3.5", you will need a couple of terabytes to record HD. I recommend getting a case that fits a standard ATX PSU instead of a proprietary one, and get a quality PSU, maybe even a fanless one.

One more thing, unless you are gaming, the 780G's IGP is plenty. So don't waste money on a dedicated graphics card for running 1080p.

Here is a guide for different categories of HTPCs:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/pcs/20 ... rs-guide/1

EDIT: Ahh, I didn't see that you already found a good guide well either way, good luck on your HTPC!

[wollyka]

Thx for the guide and advice. and yes i am leaning towards a 780G right now (i don't plan on gaming or heavy 3D so the IGP will do just fine)
and thx for wishing me luck

[Apoptosis]

One more thing, unless you are gaming, the 780G's IGP is plenty. So don't waste money on a dedicated graphics card for running 1080p.

I have a 780G on my HTPC and it has a very slight stutter to it... If you have a 50+ inch 1080P I suggest adding in a card like a passive Radeon HD 4670.

[martini161]

One more thing, unless you are gaming, the 780G's IGP is plenty. So don't waste money on a dedicated graphics card for running 1080p.

I have a 780G on my HTPC and it has a very slight stutter to it... If you have a 50+ inch 1080P I suggest adding in a card like a passive Radeon HD 4670.

sure the stutter isnt due to the fact thats its doing 60hz as opposed to 24?

[wollyka]

One more thing, unless you are gaming, the 780G's IGP is plenty. So don't waste money on a dedicated graphics card for running 1080p.

I have a 780G on my HTPC and it has a very slight stutter to it... If you have a 50+ inch 1080P I suggest adding in a card like a passive Radeon HD 4670.

Thanks for the advice, i don't have a 50+ inch TV (only 36 inch TV), so i pan first to use the integrated chipset then upgrade to a discrete GPU when i have more money

[mr_noname111]

Well the IGP on the 780G is basically a 2400XT, a respectable GPU for 2D. I've actually even played some games on it like L4D, GTR2 with some success. Personally the stuttering that I've noticed with my setup is the TV's fault, not the computer's.

[pwcmed]

What are you doing when it stutters?