AnimalHungry
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- May 2, 2005
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I've built loads of PCs before but this will be my first HTPC. It will be used solely for media use, i.e. no gaming, and it'll need to be able to stream HD files from my XP desktop via wired ethernet (200mbps homeplugs) to my 42" Panasonic plasma in 1080p via HDMI. I'll be connecting the HTPC to my Denon-AVR1906 cinema amp via TOSLINK for the 5.1 audio. I don't have Sky (tend to not watch much telly these days) but will need to be able to watch digital freeview (inc. BBC HD freeview and any other HD freeview channels that may air in the future) while recording another freeview channel. I also want to be able to add a DVB-S2 tuner card in the future. I also want to be able to add both a Bluray and an HD-DVD drive in the future when they're cheaper. Here's my proposed build list:
Case: Antec Fusion Silver MediaCentre MicroATC Case with 430W PSU mATX (£98.99 ex VAT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=593639
Motherboard: Asustek M2NPV-VM (£43.26 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4385
RAM: 2 x 1GB Crucial DDR2 PC4200 (from old PC)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ AM2 2.5GHz (£55.77 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/productvie...electedId=11147&NavigationKey=11147,375370000
CPU Heatsink: Silverstone NT06 Lite (£22.00 ex VAT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=537572
CPU Fan: ???
Video Card: XFX GeForce 8600GT Fatal1ty 256MB DDR3 PCIE TV DVI (£82.00 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4KPG
HDD: Samsung 500GB S300 16MB 7200RPM (£50.86 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4C0K
Digital Freeview Tuner: Black Gold GDI3520 Dual Tuner (£81.08 inc VAT)
http://shop.blackgold.tv/product/3520
Wireless keyboard: Accuratus Toughball (£42.50 ex VAT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=648250
O/S: Vista Home Premium (about £60)
My concerns:
1. HD playback: Will this setup be able to play true HD in 1080p faultlessly i.e. with no noticeable stuttering, drop outs, glitches etc, whether from the native HDD or over my network?
2.Fit: Will all those components fit in the Fusion case?
3. Cooling: Do I need to add a CPU fan to the Silverstone heatsink - if so which one is best and will fit? Are the two 120mm fans in the Fusion case sufficient?
4. Components: Are there any other components you think I should be using instead of the ones I've listed?
5. Vista: I haven't bought Vista for my desktop PC because of know instability issues with some of my existing software. Since there won't be much software installed on the HTPC will Vista Home Premium be stable?
Thanks for bearng with me. All ideas gratefully accepted.
Oooh, I feel like a newbie all over again
Cheers
Simon
Case: Antec Fusion Silver MediaCentre MicroATC Case with 430W PSU mATX (£98.99 ex VAT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=593639
Motherboard: Asustek M2NPV-VM (£43.26 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4385
RAM: 2 x 1GB Crucial DDR2 PC4200 (from old PC)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ AM2 2.5GHz (£55.77 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/productvie...electedId=11147&NavigationKey=11147,375370000
CPU Heatsink: Silverstone NT06 Lite (£22.00 ex VAT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=537572
CPU Fan: ???
Video Card: XFX GeForce 8600GT Fatal1ty 256MB DDR3 PCIE TV DVI (£82.00 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4KPG
HDD: Samsung 500GB S300 16MB 7200RPM (£50.86 ex VAT)
http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4C0K
Digital Freeview Tuner: Black Gold GDI3520 Dual Tuner (£81.08 inc VAT)
http://shop.blackgold.tv/product/3520
Wireless keyboard: Accuratus Toughball (£42.50 ex VAT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=648250
O/S: Vista Home Premium (about £60)
My concerns:
1. HD playback: Will this setup be able to play true HD in 1080p faultlessly i.e. with no noticeable stuttering, drop outs, glitches etc, whether from the native HDD or over my network?
2.Fit: Will all those components fit in the Fusion case?
3. Cooling: Do I need to add a CPU fan to the Silverstone heatsink - if so which one is best and will fit? Are the two 120mm fans in the Fusion case sufficient?
4. Components: Are there any other components you think I should be using instead of the ones I've listed?
5. Vista: I haven't bought Vista for my desktop PC because of know instability issues with some of my existing software. Since there won't be much software installed on the HTPC will Vista Home Premium be stable?
Thanks for bearng with me. All ideas gratefully accepted.
Oooh, I feel like a newbie all over again
Cheers
Simon