HTPC advice

[k.jacko]

Hi all,
if this is in the wrong forum, pelase move acordingly :)

Ok, i need to finalise the kit for my bedroom htpc.
1. Case: http://www.wisdon.com.tw/en/cpxx.asp?id=975
(mods, i'm sure this link doesn't contravine the rules, but if it does, i apologise and please be gentle with me :lol:)
I read reviews of this case, it seems to be very good. It also has a VFD panel with remote, using imon software. But does this integrate with Vista HP 32-bit?
2. Mobo: thinking of the Gigabyte DS2 (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+775+%28Intel%29/Gigabyte+GA-G33M-DS2R+iG33+Express+Socket+775+Motherboard+?productI d=30568) again reviews for an htpc seems good. Or go for a matx board with onboard HD audio?
3. CPU: got a E2180 (will oc to near 3GHz, temps/voltage allowing)
4. Cooler: ok, the case is 140mm high, so i 'may' need a lower profile cooler than usual, any suggestions please?
5. GFX: Right, was gonna put my old 7900gs in, but will that cope with HD content/playback as i also want to put in a blu-ray/hd rom in there. If not, please recommend one. NB, It aint a gaming pc! :)
6. TV/Monitor: Was gonna go for one in the 19-22" range, but this is where i get confused with all the HD res. etc. If i want HD playback quality, what do i need to look for? It seems that screens are either touted as tft monitors or lcd tv's. I assume for HD 1080p i'd need a screen with a res of 1920x1080? This is a future proof effort, as i don't have any dvd's that are hd. I have them loaded onto my Vista dvd library.

I already have ram sorted. And i have a pci DVB-C card to go in there as well :twisted: which works juuuuust fiiiiiiiine :mrgreen:
Plus i have a pcie x-fi sound card to add later if i decide to add a 5.1 set to the mix.
Depending on how this build goes, i will build/adapt another one for when my extension is built :)

I'd really appreciate feedback on each one of the points above, mainly points 5 and 6, as i'm pretty ok with the rest (i think)

Thanks all. :mrgreen:

[marsey99]

nice case but i would be tempted to add some 120mm fans instead of those 60mm 1s.

cool mobo :)

heatsink (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Socket+775/Arctic+Cooling+Freezer+7+PRO+?productId=20729)

gpu (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/nVIDIA+GeForce+8+Series/Asus+Extreme+8500GT+256MB+Silent+PCI-E+?productId=28355)

screen (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Displays/Monitors/TFT+24+%2B/24%22+IIyama+Prolite+Widescreen+TFT+E2403WS+?produ ctId=30610)

with what you already have this should keep you watching hd pr0n (or nat geo docu's) till blueray is out of date :D

nice setup in your sig too :)

[k.jacko]

nice case but i would be tempted to add some 120mm fans instead of those 60mm 1s.
Yeah, already had in mind to replace the fans. I need a matx psu too, but thats no biggie


cool mobo :)
Yeah i think so too, although am now wondering about a mobo with HDMI to connect straight to a HDMI port on a relevent screen


heatsink (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Socket+775/Arctic+Cooling+Freezer+7+PRO+?productId=20729)
Yep, already use them in 2 of my other rigs. At 105mm high it should fit too.


gpu (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/nVIDIA+GeForce+8+Series/Asus+Extreme+8500GT+256MB+Silent+PCI-E+?productId=28355)
Hmmm....will look into this, thanks :)


screen (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Displays/Monitors/TFT+24+%2B/24%22+IIyama+Prolite+Widescreen+TFT+E2403WS+?produ ctId=30610)
Too big i think, for my room. I intend to have the screen vesa mounted on a retractable arm that slides up and folds back over the top of my wardrobe, otherwise the mrs will be slapping her head against it every morning 8)


with what you already have this should keep you watching hd pr0n (or nat geo docu's) till blueray is out of date :D
:O I'm sure i don't know WHAT you mean?! :redface: ............... :lol:


nice setup in your sig too :)
Ta, built 3 other rigs on the home network for the kids with E2180's all at over 3GHz each and 3870's for gaming.

Thanks for your input mate, appreciate it.

[marsey99]

sry m8 i was rushing b4.

i have seen a couple of those ds2 rev 2.0 hitting 550 600 fsb so you could use it as a clocker with a better gpu later as a shuttle type gaming rig?

the 85gt has no fan so no fan whine :) msi do a version with hmdi instead of the second dvi but its out of stock atm.

if your going hd your as well going full hd m8, so you want 1900/1200 (or 1080) and this 1 comes with all the cables you will need too. its a flat panel so will have the vesa mounts on the back and as long as your bracket can hold 6.5kg you should be laughing.

so its in the bedroom and you dont want your misses to bangher head on it :D we knw what your watching :P

edit

after looking at that case again it looks like it would be easy to put 2 big fans on the side with 2 vents so you would only need to mod it for maybe 1 exhaust fan in the other end.

[k.jacko]

lol, well they do say, doggystyle allows both of you to watch the tv!

This is really a project, but i'd like to get most of it right first time, because even though i'll want to build another for downstairs, i doubt i'll have the money for a good while yet.
As regards the screen, 22" should give me what, 1600x1050 (ish) isn't that more than the equivalent to 720p?

[marsey99]

a 16/10 would stretch a 720 (12/7) vid to fill the screen but you will pay almost as much to get a 22" with the same features. you could get a 22 for about a ton less if you get a screen without speakers or hdmi and cables and what nots but then you would be losing some of the quality from your bluerays.