This will be my first attempt at an HTPC and first computer build in a few years so I want to make sure this is indeed what I need.
The goal is to get started with little initial out of pocket expense but with components that will work with upgrades I plan on in the future.
For now I plan on using as mainly a DVD server to rip my DVD's to the hard drive, playing my music, storing and editing home movies, play downloaded videos (HD videos possible), and NES SNES ... emulators
as well as simple web browsing, email, and documents (not at same time as watching movies)
I would like to eventually upgrade to video card and BR / HD-DVD combo drive to be able to watch HD movies and possibly minor gaming later. As well as a better case.
This is what I am looking at getting for now...
GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $86.99
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $59.99
ZEROtherm BTF90 with manual fan controller (BTF92) 92mm 2 ball UFO bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $34.99
(Free ZT100 grease included)
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail Item #: N82E16835154003 $3.79
Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler - Retail Item #: N82E16835185046 $34.95
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $48.99
(I know 4GB is overkill but for $12 more than 2GB why not)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $74.99
OR
Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM $74.99
(what does Bare Drive mean to me and does the "green" properties cause issues for HTPC?)
Non Green combo's with free cable Nippon Labs 4-Pin PC power to 2 x SATA Converter Cables Model POW-SATA-2 - Retail Item #: N82E16812816015
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM $28.99
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM Item #: N82E16827136152 $23.99
Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro for PS3 Item #: N82E16879212011 $59.99
(any suggestions on the following)
Wireless Card
Only thing left for now is case and PSU...since this thing is going in the corner on a shelf behind my tv cabinet looks are not a big deal right now.
Currently I have a 46" Samsung A650 LCD HDTV with a couple of free HDMI slots open that I want to use as display
I have a 1TB Mybook world edition NAS that currently houses my pictures and music
Linksys 2.4 GHz 802.11G wireless router (with speed boost what ever that means)
and a Sony DAV-FR1 dream theater (has optical audio socket)
Besides the questions above I basically need to know is does all this stuff go together, are there any better options, can I upgrade later without wasting anything.
Also with what I have currently and this build will I be able to play DVD's (that are upscaled) with 5.1 sound
P.S.
using windows MCE 2005 with Mediaportal, anyDVD, DVD Clone
(currently have it on my laptop for testing and so far like it)
Thanks and sorry for so many questions
New
Old
The goal is to get started with little initial out of pocket expense but with components that will work with upgrades I plan on in the future.
For now I plan on using as mainly a DVD server to rip my DVD's to the hard drive, playing my music, storing and editing home movies, play downloaded videos (HD videos possible), and NES SNES ... emulators
as well as simple web browsing, email, and documents (not at same time as watching movies)
I would like to eventually upgrade to video card and BR / HD-DVD combo drive to be able to watch HD movies and possibly minor gaming later. As well as a better case.
This is what I am looking at getting for now...
GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $86.99
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $59.99
ZEROtherm BTF90 with manual fan controller (BTF92) 92mm 2 ball UFO bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $34.99
(Free ZT100 grease included)
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail Item #: N82E16835154003 $3.79
Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler - Retail Item #: N82E16835185046 $34.95
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $48.99
(I know 4GB is overkill but for $12 more than 2GB why not)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $74.99
OR
Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM $74.99
(what does Bare Drive mean to me and does the "green" properties cause issues for HTPC?)
Non Green combo's with free cable Nippon Labs 4-Pin PC power to 2 x SATA Converter Cables Model POW-SATA-2 - Retail Item #: N82E16812816015
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM $28.99
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM Item #: N82E16827136152 $23.99
Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro for PS3 Item #: N82E16879212011 $59.99
(any suggestions on the following)
Wireless Card
Only thing left for now is case and PSU...since this thing is going in the corner on a shelf behind my tv cabinet looks are not a big deal right now.
Currently I have a 46" Samsung A650 LCD HDTV with a couple of free HDMI slots open that I want to use as display
I have a 1TB Mybook world edition NAS that currently houses my pictures and music
Linksys 2.4 GHz 802.11G wireless router (with speed boost what ever that means)
and a Sony DAV-FR1 dream theater (has optical audio socket)
Besides the questions above I basically need to know is does all this stuff go together, are there any better options, can I upgrade later without wasting anything.
Also with what I have currently and this build will I be able to play DVD's (that are upscaled) with 5.1 sound
P.S.
using windows MCE 2005 with Mediaportal, anyDVD, DVD Clone
(currently have it on my laptop for testing and so far like it)
Thanks and sorry for so many questions
New
Old