Ongoing Htpc V.3 (1 Viewer)

[elorentz]

So I finally started building HTPC V3, V1 died with the pump in the zalman reserator and V2 is showing signs of aging, plus that I need more cpu power now that the 1080P TV i arriving soon.

The case beeing used is an aspire X-qpack, the red version. Finding a motherboard that supported all my needs in a matx form factor was not easy, the requirments was optical out on backplate, firewire on backplate, socket 775 support, pci-e based and a slot layout like pci,pci,pci-e 1x,pci-e 16x (I need two pci slots, so the gfx cooler need to block the pci-e 1x slot not one of the pci slots), Eventually ended up with the MSI 945GM2-FI.

Some pictures of the current state is here

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/album.php?album=17213

Currently what I have done is cut out most of the drive cage inside the case to make room for the noctua h12u cooler, the processor beeing used is a d840 (this may change). Fitted the motherboard and done some cable managment. Currently waiting for the GFX card before proceeding further. Will probably pass the time cutting the magic fleece into correct sized pieces.

Questions, just ask.

 

[moltas]

Would be interesting to know how good the NoiseMagic fleece is. My experience with products like that isn't too good. Maybe this one works?

/Moltas

 

[elorentz]

I think mnay have to high expectation to fleece, they help a little generally and better agains certain frequencies of sound, my main reason for using on this one is because the chassi walls are very thin and it's even got some "plexi" on both sides and on top, so on this chassi the fleece will help allot.

 

[elorentz]

Minor Update:

Have recieved and installed the GFX card, allso installed the twinhan dvb-t tuner, the remaining PCI slot is going to be occupied by a PVR500 card, the remaining tuners are firedtv dvb-t tuners that mount externally (Explains the need for firewire on motherboard). After the pvr500 card goes in tomorrow I will attach the PSU (antec Neo HE 500 watt, modular cables).

Have not had the tiem to cut the fleece yet, I will get to it eventually. Some more pictures has been added to

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/album.php?album=17213

The pciture of the underside of the cabinet shows the AcoustiFeet Anti-Vibration feet.

 

[sholao]

I wish I had the time to build something like that, mind you I don't have the money either!

Thanks for sharing, at least I can droll over someone's beasrt.

 

[elorentz]

Update

I'm a bit behind on uploading the latest picture, but they will come soon.

The good
The unit is fully assembled and working.
Very quiet
1,2Tb og formattet storage, 4 *320 seagate drives

The bad
Heating issues with the GFX card (110 degrees celsius during full screen movie), have tried to remedy it by using an 80mm fan blowing front to back over the card, I'm suspecting some damage to the silent pipe cooler on the card.

Having problem getting 1080p input, currently running 1080i as the sony sxrd tv does not accept the radeons 1080p output, look like I will have to ener powerstrip hell again

The Ugly
Had to cut away half of the plexi glas on one side, so that the cpu fan could draw fresh air directly from the outside. The unit is in the media/tv rack so you can't see it unless you pull it out, but then it's ugly

Absolutly cramped for space in the case, no room at all for the magic fleece so I had to ditch it totally

 

[NLS]

keep up the good work

110 C on any computer component is next to death

have fun making a non-1080P TV show 1080P
(maybe you should choose another?)

good luck man, nice project

 

[elorentz]

There is definitively something wrong with the CPU cooler, it goes from 80 something to 110+ in two seconds as soon as the card is beeing used, have to swap it i believe.

My sony is fully 1080p compatible so I have no problem at all getting it to resolve a 1080p signal, I said it was SXRD based wich is not the same as it beeing the sony xbr1 wich only accepts 1080i, mine is the sony kds 55-a2000 wich accepts 1080p.

 

[NLS]

I hope you mean with 1:1 pixel mapping and at reasonable refresh rates (@60Hz)

 

[elorentz]

Yes I'm talking 1080p@60Hz 1:1 mapping.