HTPC build help please

[flu!d]

What's the GT430 for? the i3 has integrated HD2000 graphics that are perfectly suited to HTPC use.

You also don't need the Xonar as you can bitstream all your audio via HDMI.

[itachi46]

Originally Posted by flu!d

What's the GT430 for? the i3 has integrated HD2000 graphics that are perfectly suited to HTPC use.

You also don't need the Xonar as you can bitstream all your audio via HDMI.

think i read somewhere in the xbmc forum abt the intels stuttering at times when rendering 23.97 something fps movies encoded a certain way (h264 i believe?)

i'll go look for sauce.

edit:
sauce=> http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2198726

[Fishface]

Originally Posted by StarDrifter

Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 $25.00

You should run Dual Channel ram, so you may as well buy an 8GB kit (2 x 4GB).

[StarDrifter]

Like I said, I already have the Xonar Essence STX and I want the good quality sound from it for music, it is going to external 7.1 speakers.
And I just want to ensure good quality video playback, that graphics card is like $30 and should handle anything that I chuck at it video wise, may even be able to play a few games on it too.

Should I get 8gb of ram or would 4gb (2x2gb) be sufficient?

[Fishface]

Originally Posted by StarDrifter

Like I said, I already have the Xonar Essence STX and I want the good quality sound from it for music, it is going to external 7.1 speakers.
And I just want to ensure good quality video playback, that graphics card is like $30 and should handle anything that I chuck at it video wise, may even be able to play a few games on it too.

Should I get 8gb of ram or would 4gb (2x2gb) be sufficient?

The Xonar Essence STX is a stereo output card. If you are getting the audio via HDMI then the card is redundant.

The i3 graphics will handle any video, its gaming performance won't be as good as a GT430.

4GB will be fine but the price difference for 8GB is so low that you may as well have it.

[StarDrifter]

No I won't be getting audio via HDMI I wanna just plug my 7.1 straight into the back of my soundcard

OK I will get 8gb then.

[StarDrifter]

What do you guys think of this updated list (PCCG prices again)

Intel Core i3 2100 $115.00
Hauppauge HVR-2210 Media Centre Kit $165.00
Gigabyte GA-Z68M-D2H Motherboard $99.00
Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX (2x4GB) DDR3 $55.00

Which CPU cooler would you pick? The Big shuriken uses a 120mm fan, might be quieter?

Scythe Big Shuriken 2 CPU Cooler $55.00
OR
Thermaltake SlimX3 Low Profile Multi Socket CPU Cooler $38.00

Once again, going in a LC17 case with Antex Neopower 430w PSU and pioneer Bluray player

Let's ignore the fact I'm putting a Essence STX and GTX430 in there for now It seems to be creating arguments

[Mau1wurf1977]

Looks good though I'd go with a Pentium as you won't notice the difference. Stock cooler should also be fine IMO as the machine will be in idle most of the time.

[StarDrifter]

Aren't stock coolers really noisy?

OK I should ask about the software I'm gonna run on this thing too.

I have a copy of Vista Home Premium 64bit that I was going to use... All of my media is going to be on a different computer on the network (server). So it will be getting all files from there.

I have a 120gb HDD lying around I was planning on using for the OS... Anything else you think I will need? What will I download for the media part of it?

[Pugs]

Have a look at xbmc imo a great media package (if you don't need fta tv tuners) you either use the lunix os version basically there is only xbmc installed or you have it as a normal programm inside windows

[Fishface]

Originally Posted by StarDrifter

No I won't be getting audio via HDMI I wanna just plug my 7.1 straight into the back of my soundcard

You could ditch the soundcard and just use the SPDIF output on the motherboard. They are digital so there will be no difference.

[flu!d]

Honestly, due to the fact that you will be using SPDIF out the dedicated sound card will just be another heat source, it's up to you, but you can ditch the sound card and you won't know the difference.

think i read somewhere in the xbmc forum abt the intels stuttering at times when rendering 23.97 something fps movies encoded a certain way (h264 i believe?)

Due to the way PC timing works there isn't a PC based solution, whether it be Intel, ATi or NV, that doesn't stutter at times running 23.97hz. Having said that, you can get pretty damn close by disabling UAC, even on Intel graphics.

[StarDrifter]

Fluid, if you saw the ridiculous overkill in my home office, you'd realise an "added heat source" from the sound card isn't gonna bother me! Hell I have TWO full watercooled gaming beasts, just coz... For no other reason, than just COZ. Hahaha.

So I could use Linux and run XBMC off that? Is that fairly reliable? I am tempted to just install vista nd then run XBMC through it. That way if need be I can still do other stuff, like browse, run torrent program etc. Well I guess I could do that with Linux, but I'm a major linux noob.

[flu!d]

The issue StarDrifter is noise, more heat = more fans = more noise. But if you like your sound card go for it dude! You can always crank up the volume.

[tzortst]

Originally Posted by flu!d

What's the GT430 for? the i3 has integrated HD2000 graphics that are perfectly suited to HTPC use.

I would avoid intels IGPU, gave me nothing but greif with win7 64 and XBMC, went to a 6450 and the thing hasn't skipped a beat!