HTPC build recommendations

[trekie86]

Also give a look at cases that might match your receiver.

No receiver yet, just planning ahead. I really like the black finish on the Antec and it does match our DirectTV receiver and my PS3. Thanks for the suggestions though. The more information I get the better.

Edit, I know this is Xtremesystems.org but it is pretty lame to overclock an HTPC, not enough gains to justify OCing it LOL! 3rd party coolers with 120MM fans are a good idea since they make almost NO noise, unlike noisy stock coolers.

Wasn't planning on OCing the processor, just wanted to know how good the stock cooler is. I'll start using the stock cooler, monitor the temps and possibly go for an aftermarket cooler. The biggest thing is going to be to make sure that I have enough space.

My need for a sound card was to have optical out, because that is the plan for a receiver to have an optical input. Now that they come on Motherboards, I'm not going to go for one.

Thanks

[Donnie27]

No receiver yet, just planning ahead. I really like the black finish on the Antec and it does match our DirectTV receiver and my PS3. Thanks for the suggestions though. The more information I get the better.

Wasn't planning on OCing the processor, just wanted to know how good the stock cooler is. I'll start using the stock cooler, monitor the temps and possibly go for an aftermarket cooler. The biggest thing is going to be to make sure that I have enough space.

My need for a sound card was to have optical out, because that is the plan for a receiver to have an optical input. Now that they come on Motherboards, I'm not going to go for one.

Thanks

The stock coolers aren't worth using on a HTPC IMHO. There nice 3rd party fans that range from as little as 28 to $45.

http://www.directron.com/scmnj1100.html
Scythe Ninja Mini Rev. B CPU Cooler SCMNJ-1100, for Intel LGA1366 / LGA775 / Socket 478 and AMD Socket AM3 / AM2+ / AM2 / 940 / 939 / 754 Processors,
Part Number: COOL-SCMNJ-1100
Regular price:$38.99On Sale: $35.99

Case, it's good that you have a something to go with as far as looks. That makes the rest easy!

What kind of remote will you use?
http://www.directron.com/mgir01bk.html

That's $5 cheaper than what Newegg sells it for.

[trekie86]

Case, it's good that you have a something to go with as far as looks. That makes the rest easy!

What kind of remote will you use?

The case comes with a remote. If I wasn't getting a case with a remote already, I would probably just buy one that doesn't look like crap. Some of them are so small and cheap looking. Of course, if I decide to go with Windows 7 instead of Ubuntu, I may dual boot, we'll see, I have a windows media center remote laying around somewhere.

[Donnie27]

The case comes with a remote. If I wasn't getting a case with a remote already, I would probably just buy one that doesn't look like crap. Some of them are so small and cheap looking. Of course, if I decide to go with Windows 7 instead of Ubuntu, I may dual boot, we'll see, I have a windows media center remote laying around somewhere.

http://www.xpcgear.com/remotevista.html

That's the one I use and it works great. It controls a lot of Creative's software as well.



The reason I don't bother with a touchscreen.

[alpha0ne]

Hi Donnie, do you find that MS remote chews thru batteries ??

[Donnie27]

Hi Donnie, do you find that MS remote chews thru batteries ??

Nope! Plus I only paid $16.