Ongoing New HTPC project -- comments more than welcome! (14 Viewers)

[hansb]

New HTPC project -- tell me what you think!

So here is the H/W:

• 
  ANTEC FUSION SILVER CASE

• 
  MSI K9NGM2-FID GEFORCE 6150 SKT-AM2 MICRO-ATX

• 
  AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ AM2 512KB EE (35W) BOX

• 
  CORSAIR 1GB DDR2 667Mhz XMS PRO

• 
  SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.10 250GB 7200RPM SATA/300 16MB

• 
  HAUPPAUGE WINTV PVR-500 MCE KIT

• 
  MCE REMOTE + KEYBOARD

The master plan is to keep the CPU cool enough using a completely
fan-less design (Thermalright XP-90 should do the job). The two (2!)
internally mounted 120x120 case fans located next to the CPU should
dispatch enough air to lead any excess heat out of the case away
from the heat sink. I will replace the fans shipped with the case with
two 120x120 Acousti Dust free (3 speed / 10dB min / 25dB max).
The fans that come with the case is too loud and does not match the
Acousti fans in airflow at compared rpm and noise.
The PSU in the case is ultra-silent and equals the NeoHE series which
is 15-16dB. I also will add a pair of Acousti anti vibration mounts to
minimize fan vibration spreading to the case.
The GFX is another issue, I am planning to stick with the built-in 6150
but I am not sure if it really can handle PureVideo and I guess it can
not handle 1080p acceleration. if it could, then wow!
Probably I am going for a fan less ASUS 7600GS, but lets start with this
one and see how far I can go.
What I read the first card that properly handles PureVideo is the 6600
and then with limited functionality. The 7300 seems to include a full
PureVideo implementation but that card performs less than the 6600
in other areas. The 7600GS is probably the reasonable approach. The
7600GT is over-kill in my opinion and the price-tag difference too big.

The reason for not choosing an ASUS mobo is that MSI comes with
a built-in 7:1, but ASUS only gives you 5:1. Otherwise ASUS would have
been my first choice considering previous experiences. Now lets hope
MSI ships with a S/PDIF-out plate, if not I guess I can buy one somewhere,
or? Can you buy those separately?

The memory, well expensive, but I never go short again when it comes to RAM.
It really makes a difference to spend some extra $ on quality RAM.

This should become a reasonable performing system and close to
noise-less. Have not decided on DVD+RW yet! Anyone have any
suggestions on a low-noise DVD-burner?

 

[Koschel]

Good choice all in all.
But I would chose a Samsung Harddisk, more silent and not so warm.
I recommand the Samsung SH-W 163A as DVD-Burner, very silent, S-ATA and cheap.

 

[hansb]

Good choice all in all.
But I would chose a Samsung Harddisk, more silent and not so warm.
I recommand the Samsung SH-W 163A as DVD-Burner, very silent, S-ATA and cheap.

Thanks for the tip. It does not seem my usual supplier has got the
SH-W 163A in silver but black may be OK considering the display
above it is black and all. White would make it look like a total mess
I have to search for the Samsung HDD.

 

[Waltz]

The GeForce 6150 handles HD acceleration, but it doesn't have all the features - look at this:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo_support.html

For all the features, you would need a 7600GT, but the 6150 should really be enough.

- Waltz

 

[DQ]

Hi, sounds like a good system

I've just got the antec fusion myself and agree woth you about the fans.

One thought though, since the optical drive is hidden under the cover the colou difference shouldn't matter so much - in fact a black drive would be less visible when the drawer is opened!


Tip: I took the front bezel off the cd drawer as it doesn't make such a clatter when opening!

 

[hansb]

One thought though, since the optical drive is hidden under the cover the colou difference shouldn't matter so much - in fact a black drive would be less visible when the drawer is opened!

I have not received the case yet so I did not know that the drive actually
was hidden behind the cover So much better. Then black is the one I need.

 

[hansb]

For all the features, you would need a 7600GT, but the 6150 should really be enough.

Thanks for the link.
I have some problem with this though, "Spatial-Temporal De-Interlacing", what
does that mean in reality? The 6150 does not handle it. Is this something I will
miss? I do want HW supported de-interlacing. The IVTC I can do without. Can not
imagine when I would need that. The issue then is how much power the 6150
really provides. It is not only a matter of features is supports, it must be able
to handle the workload too. Is the 6150 powerful enough to provide a 1080p
resolution?

 

[tkortell]

This is a interesting project. I have been drooling on a GEFORCE 6150 motherboard myself also but have convinced myself that I am good with what I have. But who knows maybe I win the lottery and suddenly can afford a new HTPC

Anyway I will keep an eye on you project and hope you keep reporting your progress

Regards / Tomas

 

[NLS]

...and what you have is...?

(why don't you people fill in your profile?)

 

[Waltz]

Sorry hansb, I really don't know how well the 6150 handles this resolution. I guess it should be fast enough, but I can't tell you for sure. You'll have to ask Google about this

- Waltz