Hardware for Low Budget HTPC

sailingalex · 2008-06-10, 00:09

Hello,
i´m new here and almost new to MP and HTPC, but not to build a own PC from scratch.
I want to build a low budget HTPC for MP, mainly for watching and recording TV (DVB-S) and DVD. HDTV is actually not an issue for me because my TV is an oldfashioned tube one. In one or 2 years perhaps I´ll buy a HDTV Display, then I´ll need a serious upgrade for the HTPC but this is ok.

My suggested Hardware List:
- Case: AOpen H380A Slim with 300W Power Supply
- Mainboard: Biostar TA690G, because of the analog Video Out for my TV
- CPU: Sempron64 LE1100
- RAM: 1GB DDR2-800
- DVB-S: MSI TV@nywhere Satellite
- HDD: 120GB IDE, left over from an old PC
- DVD-Reader, also left over from an old PC

Is this hardware compilation ok? Would you expect this will work properly? If not, what problems do you see?

Thanks for answering,
Alex

trelm249 · 2008-06-10, 02:50

I would bump up the ram due to the shared video/system ram.

As for as storage goes, that depends on how plan to use the machine. Will it primarily be for timeshifting television or do you plan on steady use as a PVR? Will you watch movies stored as video files? If so are they stored locally or on the lan. Will it play music stored locally or on the lan.

It may be better to have a second drive for timeshifting/PVR purposes that isn't the same as the OS drive.

Spragleknas · 2008-06-10, 08:15

Be aware that the 690G chipsett has issues with XP + MP.

See: ATI 690G/x1250 problems

2008-06-10, 00:09	#1 (permalink)
sailingalex Portal User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hardware for Low Budget HTPC Hello, i´m new here and almost new to MP and HTPC, but not to build a own PC from scratch. I want to build a low budget HTPC for MP, mainly for watching and recording TV (DVB-S) and DVD. HDTV is actually not an issue for me because my TV is an oldfashioned tube one. In one or 2 years perhaps I´ll buy a HDTV Display, then I´ll need a serious upgrade for the HTPC but this is ok. My suggested Hardware List: - Case: AOpen H380A Slim with 300W Power Supply - Mainboard: Biostar TA690G, because of the analog Video Out for my TV - CPU: Sempron64 LE1100 - RAM: 1GB DDR2-800 - DVB-S: MSI TV@nywhere Satellite - HDD: 120GB IDE, left over from an old PC - DVD-Reader, also left over from an old PC Is this hardware compilation ok? Would you expect this will work properly? If not, what problems do you see? Thanks for answering, Alex

2008-06-10, 08:15	#3 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,348 Thanks: 137 Thanked 59 Times in 49 Posts Country: My System	Be aware that the 690G chipsett has issues with XP + MP. See: ATI 690G/x1250 problems __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no

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2008-06-10, 02:50	#2 (permalink)
trelm249 Portal Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	I would bump up the ram due to the shared video/system ram. As for as storage goes, that depends on how plan to use the machine. Will it primarily be for timeshifting television or do you plan on steady use as a PVR? Will you watch movies stored as video files? If so are they stored locally or on the lan. Will it play music stored locally or on the lan. It may be better to have a second drive for timeshifting/PVR purposes that isn't the same as the OS drive.