Dell based HTPC

[nitro]

Hi!

I've had this HTPC running for a while now, probably over a year, but i've never posted any pics..

http://web.aanet.com.au/nitro/MediaPortal/HTPC.JPG

Here are the major components

Dell Optiplex GX620 (purchased through work for AUD$600)
- Intel Celeron 2.4GHz
- 1 GB DDR RAM
- 500GB SATA Disk
- DVD ROM, CDRW Combo Drive
- Compro DVB-T300
Microsoft Media Centre Keyboard and Remote
Samsung 32" High Definition LCD
Jensen SPX-7 Theatre Speakers - http://www.bdimports.com.au/download/SPX%20Broch.pdf

Software
- MP 0.2.3.0
- Klite Codec Pack
- Skin, Blue Two wide
- EPG, oztivo
- IIS, for my personal photo collection. http://www.photos.mine.nu
- uTorrent, ChannelBT shows

The only mod i made to the standard Dell was to reverse the direction of the case fan. The problem was that the only fan in the case is at the front on the case, and as you can see in the pic is that the area the PC is in the cabinet is quite small, so after an hour or so, the fan would be running flat out. SpeedFan reported the hard disk temp at 56DegC...not good. After reversing the fan, the hard disk temp is now 40DegC...much better,,,,and now i can run the PC at 100% cpu for much longer (over 10 minutes) without the fan going over 1700rpm. as a result, the box is now ultra quiet.

The WAF is quite good now. The only problem is the occassionally the TV channels do not give sound. just need to change away then back again and all is good. I think this may be more a problem with the tv tuner then MP.

The only other thing I want to do is add another tuner, but there is only one PCI slot in the PC, so it will need to be a usb device. If you know of a good USB tuner, let me know.

I wanted to keep everything nice and simple, that's why i went with the Dell for the clean look. I'm not into the whole HTPC cases that try to look like stereos/amps/decoders.

Hopefully next year I get a good bonus from work (AUD$9k). If so, we are going to extend and convert our current single car garage into a study/theatre, so I'll be looking for a projector in the AUD$1000-1500 range