Media Portal Box for $330 (1 Viewer)

[BennieBoy]

Hi Bang,

Personally I would go with a AMD64 processor because the power consuption is lower then the Pentium processors and performing the same. This results in less fans needed and less fans mean less noise.
What you do not want is a system which makes to much noise. because the system will stand in your livingroom. Featuring the Cool and Quit technology, my CPU fan hardly runs. I configured my fan to start running at 45C.

Do not buy the processor in Boxed version, but buy a third party cooler like the "artic freezer 64" for around $17.-, the difference in noiseproduction is very large.

At this moment there are nice Socket 754 motherboards based on the ATI Radeon XPRESS 200, including AMD Sempron-64 2600 processors for under €150,- (EURO). They include directX9 and onboard video including onboard S-video out. The VGA port can easily be converted into a RGB-Scart out using a special cable and the powerstrip tool.

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=696
Be carefull to pick the right one, because there are 4 versions where some lacks the s-video.

It includes a PCI-E 16x socket, so you can alway upgrade to a more serious Graphic card (the onboard will do fine for Multimedia stuff).

I already have seen them used in HTPCs in shops.

For the enclosure you can go different ways.
I myself use the Coolermaster Cavalier enclosure which costs less then $97,-
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.p...erial=CAV-T04&other_title=+CAV-T04+Cavalier 4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119072

And I really like this one because it can contain a m-ATX board and still looks like a Cube.
http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08131
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129146
It will cost less then $95,-.

I realize that the total cost of this setup is higher then your initial setup, but because you can ditch the Graphic card in favor for the onboard graphics the difference is not that big and (for me) is worth the investment.

Whatever you choise, be sure you have Firewire, USB and audio connectors at the front panel. They are quite handy.

Success with you build.

Greetz,
Ben

 

[bang]

Are those cases known for loud fans? I am just going for the cheapest that will work.. I will be storing the PC in a cabinet (w/ doors) in my entertainment center.
My main question was if the components will work together.. I didn't want to get the pieces and have them not be compatible with each other or Media Portal.

 

[BennieBoy]

In that case, all you have listed, will be OK.
The 915G chipset is directX9 compliant, so you can ditch the graphic card too if you do not intend to connect it to the TV-set

Do not forget the Harddisk.

 

[bang]

Yes, I do intend on connecting to a TV.. either S-video or composite. I have a 250gb hd already, so I'm set on that end.. and a dvd drive.
Thanks again for the the help and feedback. I'd be lost without it.

 

[tbert63]

Some remarks on your selection of materials

I've checked the most cost effective parts for an unexpensive Media Center, and i've the folowing remarks on your selection:
- ASUS V9520-X/TD/128: be carreful, this card is not expensive but it has a composite TV-out, who provide lower output quality than a real s-video tv-output. I would prefer for example the MSI 5200 who have a real s-video output, or MSI 6200AV (45 and 63€).
- for a same price, i would prefer an AMD Sempron based on 754 socket, who is less 'hot'; i've bought a Sempron 2500+ 32bit for 49€ (58$) and an msi µ-Atx motherboard based on via K8M800 chipset for 53€ (63$), and of course the ultra silencer 64 (around 17€).
- for case, my choice is the top elite Tybox black for 39€ (46€)(http://www.cdiscount.com/mag/fich_p...00000008KBV&navid=1070112&trilist=0&numpage=2

 

[fathead]

Are you not able to pick up something like the Asrock K8NF4G (Socket 754) & a Sempron Socket 754 CPU? That would make a cheap & decent HTPC starting point.