Completed Basic Single-Seat Upgrade (1 Viewer)

1gkar

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  • July 1, 2007
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    I decided to finally upgrade my HTPC to allow for the impending end of WinXP updates & the use of 3D blu-rays.

    I had looked at options & hardware for some time. I decided against specialty projects such as fanless, small form factor, etc. for various reasons, & went with a basic upgrade that would emit low noise, as my appliance is kept inside an older type TV stand enclosure, behind glass doors.

    My project is nothing special (except to me ;-)), but I am happy with the outcome -except for the issue specified at the end.

    The hardware I chose is as follows: * denotes new hardware/software

    HTPC:

    Case: Silverstone Lascala LC-14b
    *PSU: Corsair RM450
    *Mainboard: AsRock H87 Performance
    *CPU: Intel Haswell i3-4330
    *CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i
    *RAM: 2x4GB G-Skill Ripjaws DDR3-1600: 11-11-11-28
    *Graphics: igpu HD4600
    BD Drive: existing LG GGC-H20L
    -*Primary HDD: Samsung 120GB 840 SSD (boot partition=39GB: Music Partition=72)
    -2nd HHD: Seagate 2TB HDD (Backup=42GB: RecordedTV=450: TV Series=1871GB)
    -3rd HDD: Samsung 1TB HDD (Image Backups=39GB: Movies=892GB)
    TV Tuner Card: 1x Hauppauge HVR-2210
    Display: LG 55” 3D LED TV connected via HDMI
    Input: Logitech K400 keyboard & MCE v4 remote
    *OS: Win7 64bit Home Premium
    Mediaportal: 1.6.0
    Codecs: latest LAV filters

    AV System:

    Receiver: Denon AVR-1803
    nb. Am going to upgrade to high definition audio receiver in the near future. Have the Yamaha RX-A*** in mind.
    Speakers:
    -front: Polk Audio RT16
    -center: Infinity Video 1 -soon to be replaced, possibly with Polk Audio CSiA4 (recommended by Polk USA as best match for existing speakers), or TSx150c: depending on budget at time.
    -rear: Polk Audio fx-300i

    Build Photos:

    13615823634_c25655a216_m.jpg
    13615818834_6e71577a84_m.jpg

    13615464353_f1f0fba21d_m.jpg
    13615475273_0b1cd7c298_m.jpg


    Outcome:

    Overall, I am very happy with the result. Using the RM450 PSU was a very good choice, as the unit has a zero RPM fan mode so, to my knowledge, it's fan has never spun-up. Together with the Noctua CPU cooler & the advanced fan speed control from the mobo's BIOS, for my case fans, it is easily 60-80% quieter than my previous build. I can kneel next to the enclosure and can hardly hear any fan noise, with the door open. My desktop rig is 3-5 times as loud.
    If you look closely you see can the CPU fan is operating, and the PSU fan is not.
    13615815974_a35188f8ef_m.jpg


    System Temps are not an issue. This was taken with the unit operating for over 9 hours.
    13616277034_df157a9e0d_m.jpg
    13616416333_7e41b997af_b.jpg


    The onboard igpu has been faultess with FreeviewHD 1080i playback, as well as blu-rays.
    I have watched both 3D Bds & 3D ISOs using Theatretek software, & am extremely satisfied with the experience. Don't understand why people think 3D is a novelty: my experience in watching 3D can be preferable to normal bluy-rays, with properly authored movies. Maybe because I don't seem to suffer from eyestrain.Or due to the LG TV type; it is a passive 3D model, that doesn't utilise shuttered glasses. I can place the sunglass style over my distance glasses for watching the screen.

    Issues:

    I am having issues with resuming the unit from hibernation mode -not the only one in the world with this issue!
    I also had issues with Win7 power options resetting to default, though since I have set a custom profile, it seems to be stable. As well as it now going into hibernation after the period time I have set it for. Just not resuming. Slowly working my way through the Google pages.
     
    M

    mjmapi

    Guest
    Nice setup, maybe its time for me to also upgrade,

    Have you tried MCE Standby tools, it sorted out the standby issue for me
     

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