HTPC Recommendations

[hoozdapimp]

I need a recommendation for a HTPC that I want to build.

I already have some hard drives for it. I want this thing to be quiet, and I want it to be able to play just about everything (including x264 1080p, and also VC-1 1080p for HD-DVD's that I might rip to my media server for backup).

I'm looking for recommendations for:
-CPU
-Motherboard
-Power Supply
-Good HTPC case
-Sound Card...I need to be able to output 5.1 to my receiver. What is the best way to do this?
-Most importantly...what GFX card would you recommend to be able to output 1080 to my TV (Sony 50" LCoS). Also, would text look good on this computer for web browsing? I will not be doing any gaming or anything, but I want good quality video going out to my TV.

I am trying to keep this relatively low budget, so I don't need anything bleeding edge.

Thanks in advance!

[Inventive Software]

Well, CPU I can recommend straight outta the box the E6400 or E6600. (Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs.) The E6300 might be able to play 1080p without overclocking, but can't confirm this... I would also replace the cooler with a Zalman or something similar that is quieter than the wind tunnel that is Intel's stock fan and heatsink.

Sound card: a motherboard that has built-in SP/DIF output would negate the need for an add-in card to output to your receiver (and thus save you money ;)). Though if you get any card that can output SP/DIF you're sorted if you get a cheap Core 2 Duo supported motherboard.

The others I can't recommend anything because my knowledge doesn't really stretch that far. ;)

[Pookie]

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/vga/vga/pro_vga_detail.php?UID=758

Get a full height case, unless you want to deal with riser extension cables. Kind of a hassle using risers, but to each his own.

The rest of the stuff is pretty standard. I agree with Inventive that the E6600 is the way to go. Don't skimp on the CPU performance, especially if you want h264 1080p.

Make sure the front of the case has mounts for USB/Firewire/etc.
Much easier to attach a thumb drive when you need to.

Also, be careful about the model of DVD drives, as some models have a high pitched sound when spinning. Some Lite-On drives do this.

Larger diameter fans are quieter.

Remember that PC noise is a moving target - once you quiet the video fan, then you'll notice the hard drive sounds. Once you quiet the hard drives, then you'll notice the power supply.

[hoozdapimp]

What do you guys think of this for my case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129131

Comes with a power supply and VFD.

[Pookie]

Good deal with the $25 mail in rebate. Someone more in the know might want to comment on the 430W power supply compatibility for the newer motherboards out there.

[Inventive Software]

The case I got no quibbles for. It's a little big (for what I'd consider an HTPC), but looks the part. :) Just make sure when you're placing the case in cabinets that there's sufficient airflow for the fans to do their work, if the fans are there.

The power supply *SHOULD* be fine for what you're conna put in it. Core 2 Duo CPUs aren't exactly the power guzzlers that the Pentium 4's were, so that'll ease that problem. However, the graphics card might be a problem because they've been gulping power like it's free, the new ones. Choose something that meets your needs, can output to your HDTV (i.e, check the inputs on the TV), and has low power consumption. The sum total of all the components in that box should come to no more than 400W. If it does, you need a new PSU.

[hoozdapimp]

@Pookie:

Thanks for the video card recommendation. It looks very slick. Trying to find the best deal on it, looks like newegg is sold out ATM.

[Pookie]

It doesn't have to be that specific one, just one with HDMI and DVI to cover all/most of your bases. The MSI one is pretty nice, however.


Alternatives: (the Asus has better specs than the Gigabyte)
http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=271&model=1175&modelmenu=1
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/News/VGA/News_List.aspx?NewsID=1285

http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_pvhd_build.html


-- Pretty decent article on the same subject. Looks like the E6400 barely cuts it http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=328&type=expert&pid=3

-- Which also leads to a good article on using the XBOX360 HD-DVD player in Windows(at a savings of $400 over Blu Ray) http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=325&type=expert&pid=3

[foxyshadis]

Whether you're ever going to be gaming or running vista w/ Aero on it is the biggest influence on your video card. If not, you can get away with something small and dirt cheap (like a X1300 pro or 7300 GT, both of which have fanless variants, as do X1600s and 7600s). They have more than enough horsepower for video, even deinterlacing. Consider carefully whether you'll ever want gpu-assist decoding, though with coreavc you'll never need it even with a cheaper E6400 or X2 4000+. Purevideo generally seems better than AVIVO, if you're going to use hardware deinterlacing; I wish I knew exactly what the cheapest model capable of HD deinterlacing was.

[Pookie]

foxyshadis - IIRC, I think the lowest end card for that is the Nvidia GeForce 6600. I completely agree about the CoreAVC point, I guess a lot of this depends on what kind of media he's going to be playing. And remember, if he's going to play HD-DVDs he'll also have to contend with decoding VC1.

[Inventive Software]

PC Format 196 has a review on the MSI NX7600, which is based on the GeForce 7600GT. That has DVI and HDMI, so you're sorted for HD playback on the graphics front. It can handle most games, except Oblivion at 1280x1024, and it's around £100 I believe, so probably $170. (EDIT: After searching twas retailing in the US 5 months ago for $180, so it'll be lower, maybe around $150 if you're lucky. :))

EDIT: I've just read a review of your case in PC Format 193 and you have to look out for a MicroATX motherboard. You got 4 expansion slots to play with, 1 5.25" external drive bay, 1 external 3.5" drive bay, 2 internal 3.5" drive bays and a nice Heads Up Display! :) It got 92% by the way, so good choice. ;)

[foxyshadis]

Ah, right, I forgot about VC-1 decoding. :( You definitely want at least a 7600GS then (for nvidia). (I suggest newer only because the 6000 series is much less power-efficient than the 7000. Same for 7 vs 8, but what a price difference.)