Media Center/HTPC build.

[Loony]

How do these parts look:

Antec Veris - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129030

Giga Board - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090

AMD 4050e - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103257

G.Skill 2x2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231112

Sapphire HD2600Pro - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102152

Hauppauge 1800 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015

I'm going to be swapping the PSU with my SkyHawk 620. It's more reliable and quiet I think. I'll be running Vista Premium most likely; I'll be trimming down processes too.

I'm not sure what sound card to get for good sound. I'd like to use a Harmon-Kardon 5.1 system for audio; what card would compliment that well?

Thanks for any help guys!

[xytrius]

Edit: Sorry, reply to wrong thread!

[zanzabar]

i would suggest a 780g MB but other than that ur good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813154016

[Loony]

i would suggest a 780g MB but other than that ur good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813154016

Yea, I actually changed my choice to the 780g Giga board. I just edited it.

[zanzabar]

ide really recommend the sapphire, i prefer DFI made stuff to gigabyte (or anything but ECS)

but the sapphire has pwm sinks and an 8 pin cpu connector as well as being cheaper and made to DFI specifications
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813154016

[Loony]

ide really recommend the sapphire, i prefer DFI made stuff to gigabyte (or anything but ECS)

but the sapphire has pwm sinks and an 8 pin cpu connector as well as being cheaper and made to DFI specifications
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813154016

Really?

I've had friends have problems with Sapphire video cards (I know it's a different animal). I just liked the expandability of the Giga with a 16gb ram max. It also has an HDMI port on board. :up: I might end up using on-board video for the life of this thing, or at least the first few months of it's life. The Sapphire board also doesn't have a PCIe x1 slot which I will be using for my sound card or TV tuner.

I do like the PWM heat sinks and the bigger NB/SB heat sinks though. It's only $10 cheaper. I don't think the 8-pin power will help that much in a non-OCing rig.

Thanks for the advice though, I'll keep that board in mind. :up:

EDIT: Forgot to mention the Giga has E-SATA. :up:

[zanzabar]

u have to go MSI or foxconn or asus to get a 1x slot that gigabyte dosnt have it, and for esata u can use a bracket

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131273

[Loony]

u have to go MSI or foxconn or asus to get a 1x slot that gigabyte dosnt have it

Yea...it...does...:stick:


:p:

I'll look into that Foxconn board more since it's cheaper. As long as it's a good board I'll probably go that route. Thanks!

[zanzabar]

black slot on black componants is great idea

[Loony]

black slot on black componants is great idea

:ROTF:

[emoners]

just a noobie question, why get a vidcard when your mobo already has powerful built-in video?

[Loony]

just a noobie question, why get a vidcard when your mobo already has powerful built-in video?

I'm not 100% sure I'm getting a video card. If the on-board isn't good enough for me then I'll get a card.

[Loony]

With that TV Tuner card it seems I can only watch or record one channel at a time. :shakes: Can I buy two of them and be able to watch one record one/record two at a time? The only one with dual tuner than I can find doesn't have HD capabilities which I need.

[Jamestuk]

What amp/receiver you gonna use?

If you have an amp with a digital in you can use pretty much any soundcard which has enough channels for you (7.1 or 5.1). This would probably get the best sound depending on how good your amps DAC is, as the soundcard wouldn't have to process anything just passthrough.

If you only have analogue inputs on your amp then you may have to spend a bit more to get the best sound. Auzentech Prelude is probably the best card at the moment, however I am using an Auzentech X-Plosion and am quite happy with the analogue sound quality using Dogber1's drivers.

[BlueAqua]

I have 2 very nice HTPC's now and I would recommend that motherboard. Each of my HTPC each have a Sapphire HD3450 in them and they work great. I would use onboard sound if I were you, keep it easy and it'll sound nice out of the optical out.

I really think the big thing about htpc's is to really match the hardware to the input devices. What TV do you have? What resolution are you going to run? HD-DVD or Blu-ray drives?

Not to mention just hardware but software is the kicker. There are so many different applications but which one to choose? What are your goals with this?

For HDTV recording/playback I really like my HD Homerun, it's a great tuner that's feeding both of my htpc's. I would also recommend thinking of storage, and lots of it.

Skip the 2xxx series of ATI cards and go straight for the 3xxx series if you plan to get a video card. Go passive, that's what I try to do anyways.

[Loony]

I thought I could use the sound card for that. Do I have to get another unit just for sound in order to get really good sound?

[BlueAqua]

Just use the optical out on your motherboard, it'll be fine. I have a really nice sound system and that's what I use. I just think that sound cards are kinda pointless now.

[Loony]

I have 2 very nice HTPC's now and I would recommend that motherboard. Each of my HTPC each have a Sapphire HD3450 in them and they work great. I would use onboard sound if I were you, keep it easy and it'll sound nice out of the optical out.

I really think the big thing about htpc's is to really match the hardware to the input devices. What TV do you have? What resolution are you going to run? HD-DVD or Blu-ray drives?

Not to mention just hardware but software is the kicker. There are so many different applications but which one to choose? What are your goals with this?

For HDTV recording/playback I really like my HD Homerun, it's a great tuner that's feeding both of my htpc's. I would also recommend thinking of storage, and lots of it.

Skip the 2xxx series of ATI cards and go straight for the 3xxx series if you plan to get a video card. Go passive, that's what I try to do anyways.

So, are you using a receiver/amp for your sound too? What are you using?

I like your advice on the 3450's, I'll definitely do that! :up:

I'm planning on a Mitsubishi or Samsung ~60" DLP.

I'm going to have a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD drive in there. Haven't decided on any exact product yet.

I'm thinking about a 500gb Seagate for storage.

[BlueAqua]

So, are you using a receiver/amp for your sound too? What are you using?

I like your advice on the 3450's, I'll definitely do that! :up:

I'm planning on a Mitsubishi or Samsung ~60" DLP.

I'm going to have a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD drive in there. Haven't decided on any exact product yet.

I'm thinking about a 500gb Seagate for storage.

Both of my HTPC's sound is onboard and comes from the optical out on each motherboard. They go to a receiver and the receiver decodes the DTS or Digial stream and it sounds great. It's all digital so there is no loss and no need for a fancy sound card. However, that will only do 5.1. If you have a setup that requires more you're going to have to do analog out with a good sound card. 5.1 is more than fine for me.

I'd try out your onboard video first before buying a video card. The 780g is supposedly equivalent to a 3450 and should be able to output every HD source you're able to get your hands on. However the 3450 can be had for about $30 so it's dirt cheap to begin with.

I haven't bought an HD-DVD drive or Blu-ray yet but am really leaning towards just a Blu-Ray player. I don't see the need for HD-DVD unless you have some laying around or can find some really good deals on them now. I never buy movies and rarely rent them. Once Red Box gets Blu-Ray, then I'll buy a Blu-Ray drive. I have played a lot of HD content on my htpc's and it's perfect. I have two Intel Core2 setups(most of my older hardware) but the 780g board should do fine.

[Loony]

Both of my HTPC's sound is onboard and comes from the optical out on each motherboard. They go to a receiver and the receiver decodes the DTS or Digial stream and it sounds great. It's all digital so there is no loss and no need for a fancy sound card. However, that will only do 5.1. If you have a setup that requires more you're going to have to do analog out with a good sound card. 5.1 is more than fine for me.

I'd try out your onboard video first before buying a video card. The 780g is supposedly equivalent to a 3450 and should be able to output every HD source you're able to get your hands on. However the 3450 can be had for about $30 so it's dirt cheap to begin with.

I haven't bought an HD-DVD drive or Blu-ray yet but am really leaning towards just a Blu-Ray player. I don't see the need for HD-DVD unless you have some laying around or can find some really good deals on them now. I never buy movies and rarely rent them. Once Red Box gets Blu-Ray, then I'll buy a Blu-Ray drive. I have played a lot of HD content on my htpc's and it's perfect. I have two Intel Core2 setups(most of my older hardware) but the 780g board should do fine.


What receiver are you using? I'm stupid when it comes to sound. :confused:

I only need 5.1 too. That's more than enough.

[BlueAqua]

Pioneer Elite VSX55 or something. Can't quite remember but it's about 4 years old now. My other setup is just using some Panasonic SA-XR55 cheaper digital receiver. Both work fine though for their purpose. I've had Harmon Kardon's and they've been good. I really haven't even looked at them since I bought them since they've been doing so good for me.