My On The Cheap 1080p HTPC Project

kingnubian · 2008-03-21, 03:33

I've been wanting to build a dedicated HTPC for some time and recently finally started to do something about it.
My goal for this build was to have a good looking, quiet, functional, smooth performing & very affordable HTPC which would do everything you would expect such a pc to do & maybe a little more.

I've been experimenting heavily with Mediaportal (using my ATI remote Wonder RF Remote) and have pretty much settled on it being the frontend. It's a very nice piece of work for sure.

To keep the costs down I took a look at some other workstations I have and decided to "Trade" parts from a Linux box that I use for daily computing tasks.

I swapped out it's motherboard, & cpu and will replace them with an Intel E1200 (Celeron c2d based dual core) cpu, and Foxconn motherboard on sale at an online retailer for under $100 retaining the original 1gig Corsair XMS2 (2x512mb) Dimms that were there before. I really don't need all that much power in that box since I only web surf, bank, arrange digital pictures, print and the other mundane PC tasks on that pc anyways.

So here is the parts list for my HTPC as it stands now.

Asus P5L-MX Motherboard (From Linux workstation)
Intel E4300 C2D CPU (@3.05Ghz 100% Stable) (From Linux Workstation)
2gig (2x1gig) PC2-6400 Dimms
Seagate 7200.11 500gig 32mb cache Sata2 Hard Drive
HIS Radeon HD3450 256mb PCIe Video Card
Pioneer SATA Dvd Burner
Inwin Mt. Jade (BK623) Micro Atx case (300W quiet PS)

The addition of the 3450 and it's UVD feature means that I can reduce the speed of the cpu closer to stock even for HD playback which in turn will result in it running cooler and consequently lower the cpu fan noise. Having a C2D cpu such as the E4300 opens up all kinds of overclocking potential if I ever want to upgrade the HTPC to a casual gamer as well by adding a more "game friendly" video card. This would also probably mean that the 300W PS in the Mt. Jade case would have to either be upgraded to a higher spec model or a different case/PSU setup brought in completely. This really isn't in the cards for now since I already have a game ready pc also.

All in all this build is shaping up real nicely & I am just waiting for some of the new parts, which are on order, to arrive.

Any comments or observations will be welcomed.

Ollster · 2008-04-17, 06:35

Hi kingnubian!

Regarding the HIS Radeon HD3450, what output are you using? I was thinking of getting on for a build, but I am restricted to using component (R/G/B) on my Sony TV. I am not 100% sure that the card supports component out, but I notice in the pics that it has a 7-pin output.

Have you tried (or are you using) the component output on the card?

Any other feedback/opinion about the HIS 3450 would be greatly appreciated!

cheers, ollster.

kingnubian · 2008-04-17, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollster

Hi kingnubian!

Regarding the HIS Radeon HD3450, what output are you using? I was thinking of getting on for a build, but I am restricted to using component (R/G/B) on my Sony TV. I am not 100% sure that the card supports component out, but I notice in the pics that it has a 7-pin output.

Have you tried (or are you using) the component output on the card?

Any other feedback/opinion about the HIS 3450 would be greatly appreciated!

cheers, ollster.

I am using HDMI presently. It's a fantastic card, specially considering it's price! I have the S-Video to component adapter as well but this DID NOT come with this card.

Ollster · 2008-04-18, 04:55

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll just bite the bullet and buy one. The card is so cheap I won't lose much if it won't produce component output!

kingnubian · 2008-04-18, 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollster

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll just bite the bullet and buy one. The card is so cheap I won't lose much if it won't produce component output!

There is an adaptor available but it usually isn't included with the cheaper cards. It's really an S-Video to Component cable. Maybe a local computer shop may have one for you. It's should be very very cheap.

Ollster · 2008-04-18, 05:10

Any idea if it's the same 7-pin -> (component + composite) cable that nvidia uses?

I've got a few sitting around if it is. I'm sure a local store or someone I know would have one if it's not! :-)

kingnubian · 2008-04-18, 05:32

It may be. The ATI provided adapter, came with my HD3870, is also 7pin to component. I'm not sure though.

Ollster · 2008-04-18, 05:33

No worries, thanks for the help!

kingnubian · 2008-04-18, 05:35

You are very welcome. Tell me how things go when you get the card.

Tech Geek · 2008-04-19, 02:55

I have the VisionTek HD3450 and can't get the audio drivers to work with Vista.
I've calculated the bandwidth on my card and I don't know that it will be able to work with MediaPortal.
The digital output sure looks nice though.
I hope your's works.

2008-03-21, 03:33	#1 (permalink)
kingnubian Portal Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 66 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	My On The Cheap 1080p HTPC Project I've been wanting to build a dedicated HTPC for some time and recently finally started to do something about it. My goal for this build was to have a good looking, quiet, functional, smooth performing & very affordable HTPC which would do everything you would expect such a pc to do & maybe a little more. I've been experimenting heavily with Mediaportal (using my ATI remote Wonder RF Remote) and have pretty much settled on it being the frontend. It's a very nice piece of work for sure. To keep the costs down I took a look at some other workstations I have and decided to "Trade" parts from a Linux box that I use for daily computing tasks. I swapped out it's motherboard, & cpu and will replace them with an Intel E1200 (Celeron c2d based dual core) cpu, and Foxconn motherboard on sale at an online retailer for under $100 retaining the original 1gig Corsair XMS2 (2x512mb) Dimms that were there before. I really don't need all that much power in that box since I only web surf, bank, arrange digital pictures, print and the other mundane PC tasks on that pc anyways. So here is the parts list for my HTPC as it stands now. Asus P5L-MX Motherboard (From Linux workstation) Intel E4300 C2D CPU (@3.05Ghz 100% Stable) (From Linux Workstation) 2gig (2x1gig) PC2-6400 Dimms Seagate 7200.11 500gig 32mb cache Sata2 Hard Drive HIS Radeon HD3450 256mb PCIe Video Card Pioneer SATA Dvd Burner Inwin Mt. Jade (BK623) Micro Atx case (300W quiet PS) The addition of the 3450 and it's UVD feature means that I can reduce the speed of the cpu closer to stock even for HD playback which in turn will result in it running cooler and consequently lower the cpu fan noise. Having a C2D cpu such as the E4300 opens up all kinds of overclocking potential if I ever want to upgrade the HTPC to a casual gamer as well by adding a more "game friendly" video card. This would also probably mean that the 300W PS in the Mt. Jade case would have to either be upgraded to a higher spec model or a different case/PSU setup brought in completely. This really isn't in the cards for now since I already have a game ready pc also. All in all this build is shaping up real nicely & I am just waiting for some of the new parts, which are on order, to arrive. Any comments or observations will be welcomed.

2008-04-18, 05:10	#6 (permalink)
Ollster Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Any idea if it's the same 7-pin -> (component + composite) cable that nvidia uses? I've got a few sitting around if it is. I'm sure a local store or someone I know would have one if it's not! :-) Last edited by Ollster; 2008-04-18 at 05:15.

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2008-04-17, 06:35	#2 (permalink)
Ollster Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Hi kingnubian! Regarding the HIS Radeon HD3450, what output are you using? I was thinking of getting on for a build, but I am restricted to using component (R/G/B) on my Sony TV. I am not 100% sure that the card supports component out, but I notice in the pics that it has a 7-pin output. Have you tried (or are you using) the component output on the card? Any other feedback/opinion about the HIS 3450 would be greatly appreciated! cheers, ollster.

2008-04-18, 04:55	#4 (permalink)
Ollster Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll just bite the bullet and buy one. The card is so cheap I won't lose much if it won't produce component output!

2008-04-18, 05:32	#7 (permalink)
kingnubian Portal Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 66 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	It may be. The ATI provided adapter, came with my HD3870, is also 7pin to component. I'm not sure though.

2008-04-18, 05:33	#8 (permalink)
Ollster Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	No worries, thanks for the help!

2008-04-18, 05:35	#9 (permalink)
kingnubian Portal Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 66 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	You are very welcome. Tell me how things go when you get the card.

2008-04-19, 02:55	#10 (permalink)
Tech Geek Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have the VisionTek HD3450 and can't get the audio drivers to work with Vista. I've calculated the bandwidth on my card and I don't know that it will be able to work with MediaPortal. The digital output sure looks nice though. I hope your's works.