Ideas for a basic HTPC? (1 Viewer)

[lingus]

So i have kicked my laptop idea into touch and think i will plump for the LC11 case, but what to put in it?
Not sure which Micro-atx board to go for here in the UK i would like tv out and spdif as so that i don't have to worry about a sound card or graphics card.
I can just maybe get a Hauppague 500 or something...
HDD and DVD's are no brainers as to which cpu that depends on the board i get.

any fully featured boards that are available in the uk that anyone knows about.
Thx
J

 

[wmmabem]

This is maby the motherboard??
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=270

\Magnus

 

[lingus]

Thats a nice board Magnus thx, shame there is no SPDIF on the rear but only as an option onboard, do i really need spdif for MP or can i just use the audio connectors to connect to something else?

Ta
J

 

[wmmabem]

I'm running the "line out" and the composite into an SCART-"plug"
and then the SCART to a TV
\Magnus

 

[lingus]

So abit more info on this i have found the ideal case LC11M and the ideal M/B MSI RS480M2-IL but i'm struggling to find a Heatsink and fan combo that will fit inside has anyone got any recommendations?

 

[a.dimuzio]

Thats a nice board Magnus thx, shame there is no SPDIF on the rear but only as an option onboard, do i really need spdif for MP or can i just use the audio connectors to connect to something else?

Ta
J

If I can give you my advice... that really depends on the audio system you'll plug your HTPC to.
If you have (or plan to have) a Dolby Digital decoder, then you really need SPDIF output (even better, SPDIF + coaxial digital audio output).
If you'll plug the HTPC to your TV or to a standard HiFi (no Home Theatre) then you can live with the analogic line out.

 

[lingus]

Yes i am planning to use the SPDIF output to my dolby decoder.

Anyone have any ideas about my case m/b combo with a heatsink?

Ta

 

[Anonymous]

I personally like the gigabyte 8trs350mt as my MB (funny, newegg just removed or sold out this item as I was typing this post, too bad as it was like $44)...

http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128256R
http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-8TRS350MT.htm

As for the Case, I use the Athenatech A100 line...

http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811190005

This case looks cool, stays cool, is compact, yet seemingly not cramped. It is also quiet.

If you need SPDIF, the gigabyte board has an add-on module that plugs into the mainboard. Unfortunately, it is VERY hard to find. If you are a reseller, you can get it at http://www.basscomputers.com/shop/itemdesc.asp?CartId=94752-ACCWARE-88QREJZ109&ic=CABGIG1010&tpc=. But I am not, so I managed to find it at http://www.computerstore-1.com/catalog.htm. No online store, but the part is listed as "CABGIG1010 SPDIF CABLE FOR 6 CH AUDIO FOR GIGA-BYTE GP-SPAUD" and they were very responsive when I sent them an email to order from them. They accept paypal.

I personally use stock HSF, and it is quiet enough for me.

As an FYI, I was on a budget, but if you have the money you could do better. I chose Intel because it supposedly handles streaming content better than AMD. The on-board graphics supports DX9, but I don't think it is DX9 native, meaning there is a little performance hit. However, there is an AGP slot to upgrade the video if necessary.

I spent ALOT of time finding parts for my HTPC, and I think I have a winner for what I want, but this is just a matter of my opinion. Hope this helped.