Ongoing HTPC Build Specs - Thoughts? (1 Viewer)

[Decker]

Ok,

I've been lurking in the background for a while, dealing with an old setup, but have just decided on the parts for my new one. I haven't seen a lot of feedback on some of these in the forum, so I thought I'd see if I could get some. These parts are also worked out on a budget, but I think it's a pretty good balance. CPU, Mobo and RAM combo for under $300 AUD, case was $200. The rest of the parts are already in my old setup.

CPU: AMD AM2 Athlon 64 X2 4000+ 65W
Motherboard: ABIT AN-M2HD
Memory: 2 x 1gb Corsair DDR2 800Mhz
Video Card: (onboard) NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV
TV Card: Leadtek DTV-1000T
Sound Card: On board 7.1 CH
HDD: Maxtor 300G 7200rpm ATA133 (16MB cache)
DVD: Pioneer DVR-A11XLB
Network: DLink DWL-G520 (Wireless)
Case: Thermaltake Mozart SX Slim Desktop Case w/ 430W PSU
Remote: DVICO Multifunction MCE Remote Controller

I was originally considering the Asus M2A-VM HDMI board, but for space reasons, we couldn't go with a full height case. Putting this board in a slim case means you cannot connect the HDMI module as it's a full height PCI-E x16 card. I could use this board in the slim case, but loose HDMI and SPDIF connectors (which kind of defeated the purpose). The ABIT motherboard seemed to be just as good without this limitation.

From what I have read, the on-board video is capable of HighDef and should cope fine with the workload. Only plan after this would be to move to a dual tuner card.

Any thoughts? Should this do the HDTV work without a problem? We have had all our wiring and antenna checked out for Digital so the signal will be up to the task. Is anything missing?

Thanks.

 

[OgdenP]

That sounds like an interesting m/board. I have the ASUS M2A-VM HDMI and from my experience it seems to be marginal for HD. It plays, but depending on what else is going on at the same time, you can experience skips, etc. The Abit does sound to be a more capable board with the nVidia 7050PV.

I also started with a wireless network setup, but as I have started using the TV Server features to watch TV and recordings on other PC's in the house, I found the wireless connection to be too slow. I ended up running a cable into the family room.

I'm not familiar with the remote you list. I use a standard MS MCE Remote, which works perfectly with MP (as though it was designed for it ).

 

[dgt1963]

I have built an HTPC using this board - very similar spec to yours.

Key point is the HDMI socket and SPDIF are too close to each other, you cannot plug both in at the same time (unless you file them down maybe) - stupidity!

The other issues are the drivers are difficult to set up (still working on mine) and you need to set the Ram timings and voltages manually as it tends to lock up.

Also struggling with the SPDIF pass through.

I'm not sure about the HDMI - tried it briefly - no sound and picture not easy to set up (new area for me though).

In short mine still isn't right after two months - wish I had bought something else, not sure what.

Andrew H on this site has more experience of this board I think.

Also take a look at the www.uabit.com forums and search for this board.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[luna_s]

Im using the an-m2hd with a x2 4600 and a gig of geil ram with no problems -

using optical and hdmi out (nice that you get a hdmi - dvi cable for free!)

(i turn off hdmi audio in the bios)

i was lucky enough to have a slim spdif cable

its a great board - quiet too - been running for 2 weeks without a hitch

plays 1080p using onboard without stuttering

 

[Spragleknas]

Don't know if this is of any importance, but I found that AMD Live (w/Away function) is only supported by X4200+ and above

(... and I got a X2 4000+ )

 

[dgt1963]

Im using the an-m2hd with a x2 4600 and a gig of geil ram with no problems -

using optical and hdmi out (nice that you get a hdmi - dvi cable for free!)

(i turn off hdmi audio in the bios)

i was lucky enough to have a slim spdif cable

its a great board - quiet too - been running for 2 weeks without a hitch

plays 1080p using onboard without stuttering

Luna-s,

Which drivers are you using?

Did you use specific voltages and timings for your RAM?

Did you get the Abit EQ program to run - it crashes every time with mine?

Dave

I was going to use the DVI cable, then found my Panny has VGA, SCART and HDMI, then I bought good quality chunky cables - never considered the closeness - that's why I mentioned it.

 

[luna_s]

i'm currently using the drivers that came with the bundled disk, they seem to work fine,
i try not to update drivers and bioses if theres no need

this is the memory im using, http://www.geil.com.tw/products/show/id/65

everything is left as standard in the bios for memory timings

i think the EQ thing worked, but i uninstalled it as i had no need for it,

only other thing with this board is you have to use the cpu fan on the system fan header - the cpu fan header wont control 3 pin fans for some reason, but works fine on the system one - odd but hey

only slight issue im having is glitching, but i get similar glitches on another PC i have with different specs so could just be the encodes

 

[Decker]

UPDATE:

Ok,

Well the system is now built using almost these specs. Have found so far:

Case is good, rather solid and fairly simple to use. However, a rather large gotcha when using this case with a MicroATX board is that you loose a PCI slot on the riser. The riser has, from top to bottom, PCI slot, PCI-E slot and PCI slot. To use these, the riser plugs into the PCI-E X16 slot, and then has extension leads that plug into PCI slots on the motherboard. On a full ATX motherboard, you can put the extension far enough away from the riser so they don't interfere. However, on an microATX, these plugs stop you from being able to use the bottom PCI slot on the riser, taking you back to 1 PCI, one PCI-E.

So if, like me you were planning on using a PCI Tuner (DTV1000) and a PCI Wireless card (DWL-G520), you have to re-consider. After considering options (PCI-E Network card, PCI-E Dual Tuner card), the best price option ended up being a USB wireless dongle on an extender. Gives better reception as you can put it outside the unit.

So the system is built, drivers installed and tested ok. Then when I install it into the TV unit, the powercord sticks too far out the back and pushed it out so the doors on the unit won't close. Watch that one people, trap for young players. I should be able to get around that.

One problem though is it will not tune to any channels when I plug it into the Antenna socket behind the entertainment unit. I tried a full retune with no luck. It works fine in another socket where I ran it up, but not in the one behind the TV. Odd thing is, the set top box tunes and displays fine in that socket. Ah well, at least it runs well and plays HDTV in the other TV socket. Next step will be a fresh install of MP and try a scan from there. Might also have a look at the wiring as I don't really trust the installer who put the new point in behind the unit.

Finally, still no audio through the HDMI, but I kind of expected this to be a problem setting up. Will most likely use the Optical out to the Amp instead and hope this works better.

The process is still on-going, and I will keep you posted.