HTPC Build - Antec Fusion 430 (Black)

[armandp]

IR Server Suite to resolve Remote Control Problems - My Home Theater PC Project (thanks to Gdl)

[AlexBez]

Originally Posted by armandp

IR Server Suite to resolve Remote Control Problems - My Home Theater PC Project (thanks to Gdl)

Thank you, armandp! I found that blog entry a few days ago and did everything according to it. Unfortunately it did not solve the problem... *sigh*

[Justchill]

Ah I see you've added more todo's (had to search though); very curious about your CPU-choice. I guess I'm letting you do all the research here :-)

BTW: Is that a nintendo Wii next to ur TV ?? :-) (Have you thought about the emulator plugin?)

[armandp]

yes that's a Wii Gonna hook it up together with the HTPC to my new Onkyo so i only have one HDMI cable to my tv.
haven't played with the emulator plugin yet.. because my Wii is more fun for now (i'm a Mario Kart Wii online addict)

The CPU choice really depends on when the new mainboard revision (1.1) is available. If the Kuma ones are out when i get the new mainboard then i go with the 6250.. otherwise i will be impatient and go for the triple core Phenom 8450-8750 (it's a little bit overkill imho) .

I am thinking of leaving the 4850e behind me because i wanna upgrade to HT 3.0 and unleash the full potential of the 780. Only concern for me, next to the fact that it's a little more expensive, is that when i do go for the Phenom i have to address the heat (+cooling possibilities) and power consumption. Knowing the HTPC is idle most of the time (cool&quiet lowering the frequency and voltage resulting in minimal heat/energy) this is might not be a problem after all.

I will keep you up to date. Polishing my real blog now btw and after that strip this topic to the bare basics and probably continue the details over there (url will follow)

[Justchill]

Some thoughts though..

1/ Rev. 1.1 of the Gigabyte mobo; you do realise the only difference is the NB heatsink (AFAIK)? Unless you have a problem with your GPU output, I wouldn't change it. you must know there is a very good remplacement NB heatsink from thermaltake: Thermaltake Extreme Spirit II. That would be a lot cheaper, don't you think.
I know many people complain about hot NB's.. mine's hot too; but that isn't a problem actually. I think in our cases (nsk24xx) there is enough airflow to cool it.

2/ What is the HT3.0 potential of the 780G chipset? My guess you just won't see it...

3/ CPU: 9100E or 9150E 65W TDP phenom looks interesting. Why do you need more cooling with such a CPU? Minja + 2 X 120mm fan is more than enough..

[armandp]

1. Luxory position.. i'm buying the motherboard anyway for my server so.. might as wel use the new one in my HTPC
otherwise i would have settled for a better heatsink indeed (in the worst scenario because i don't have issues with the gpu at all) I'm certainly not recommending to swap motherboards just to get a revision 1.1.

2. Again.. the BE-2400 goes to the server.. Knowing this new information might as well buy a HT 3.0 capable one for the HTPC instead Also i have (little) hope it might boost the (hardware) deinterlacing - which is not flawless at the moment. I've read it should help but i don't have definite proof.

3. Yes definately good options also (still researching) but i read about some problems with these processors concerning HT 3.0.
About the cooling: dunno really, just a fear i have with having more power, more heat.. and i don't want the case fans to go rawrrr...

on a sidenote: i'm certainly no hardware expert (personally and as a developer i'm more of a software guy) but i do tend to research a lot on my interests (like i'm having my HTPC phase right now lol) on as much sources as i can and hands-on experience when i have the chance.

edit: sorry for the many edits i'm a little bit impulsive on that button

[Justchill]

30-05-2008 - Lucky delay

The order of the Onkyo TX-SR-606 got delayed for an unknown period of time so i went to check other retailers. I came across another (online) retailer that sold it for € 439,- (!!) - that's about € 80 cheaper than what i ordered it for in the first place. So this afternoon i got a call it was in stock and I picked it up. Will hook it up with the rest of the equipment this weekend. Now i'm only two speakers and a hdmi soundcard short of TrueHD / DTS-HS sound

What 's the name of this cheap e-tailer?

[armandp]

Originally Posted by Justchill

What 's the name of this cheap e-tailer?

Onkyo TX-SR606 Zwart - € 439,00 : Foka Webwinkel, De specialist in foto, beeld en geluid.

[Justchill]

That's a good price, let us know how it sounds ok?

BTW: I've added some pics of my own htpc.. nice to see, more pics to come...

Laadjeplaatje Image Gallery "HTPC" by Justchill

[armandp]

Nice pics! and nice work on the cables.. my case is still a mess, i only fixed them to the side so the airflow would not be compromised.
I did some more research on the cpu's and i will be posting about it on my new blog (url will follow later).

edit: and we have an blog! http://htpc.zerobarrier.nl/