First HTPC - 1080p HW Requirements (1 Viewer)

[bushbrother]

Hey Everyone,

I am thinking of building my first HTPC to add to my new 42" LCD HDTV I have had a look around the forums to see what everyone suggests and wondered if anyone has sugestions on what components I should use. I already have 1TB of network storage and require the HTPC to stream 1080p content via HDMI to my TV.

I love the look of the Antec Fusion V2 so found idealy want everything to fit in there.
What is the minimum processor req for HD content? whats best for low W consumption?
What motherboard do you sugest?
Onboard HDMI out sufficient for 1080p? If not what Graphics Card?

The other bits (mouse,keyboard, HD, RAM) are no problem as I have these lying around. I would idealy like to spend less than £400, is this possible?

Many thanks for reading my n00bie request

 

[Dubyahjay]

My system is listed <-------

You have two options:
1. get a beefy PC (3 gighz and up) to decode 1080p material

2. get a slower PC and a dedicated card (such as a 2600gt or the new ati 3450

I went the first route. I am being patient and waiting for a card that not only does all x264 offloading, but supports HD audio out. Currently, none of even the newest cards support this. No matter though, my current system will play any file at any resolution that I have.

 

[bushbrother]

Thanks for your reply, I think that I would rather go with a dedicated card so I can cut down on heat and power of the processor. I am not too fussed about HD audio, 5.1 is good enough for me (not enough money for speakers ). Do you know which cards give good 1080p pictures via HDMI?

 

[lillerik]

I really think that you should wait for the new motherboards (For example the 780G from ATI).
To that you could add a 45W Athlon X2 1.9ghz and you will be able to play 1080p blu-rays/hd dvds without a dedicated graphic card which means less space, less heat

 

[kszabo]

1080i is not a concern? It is more difficult to playback than 1080p. Some component must deinterlace! And it should be done in good quality. Satellites and cable providers broadcast in 1080i.

For optimal performance you need a h.264 accelerating graphic card. Onboard solutions cannot do this, only the upcoming 780G chipsets. I playback everything with my AMD X2-BE2400 (2x2,3 GHz) with CoreAVC as codec. And 1080i pushes it to the limit... And I guess better picture quality could be possible. The GFX is an onboard x1250, it can only accelerate mpg2.

HD-Audio will be / is the sound format of Blueray, I guess. So sooner or later you will need it.

 

[bushbrother]

Thanks for your replies, the 780G looks like a really great MB! Does anyone know how much they will be in the UK or any sites that are taking pre-orders (for price info)? On the subject of noise, would you be able to fit a passive CPU cooler in the Antec Fusion v2? and do these Samsung spinpoint HDD really make a difference in noise output?

 

[Dubyahjay]

I use the ninja mini cpu heatsink passive. It not truely passive though, I have two Scythe 120mm fans in place of the stock ones pulling quite a bit of air through it. My pc is mechanically silent, all that is hear is air moving... kind of a "whoosh".

I use two Western Digital hard drives. Other than a faint tick of the heads moving, they are silent.