HTPC Build Advice

FrankGrimes · 1st February 2011, 3:19 PM

Hi Guys,

Finally going to make the plunge into HTPC. I'm looking for a middle of the run HTPC. I don't want an underperforming (ie Intel Atom) machine but at the same time want to spend as little as possible and don't want to go over the top.

Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 In stock $48.00
ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3 Motherboard In stock $119.00
MD Athlon II X2 260 In stock $74.00
Western Digital Green 2TB WD20EARS In stock $109.00
Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW In stock $29.00
Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS Dual HD Tuner In stock $59.00
Antec EarthWatts 430W In stock $69.00
Case - Most likely Silverstone GD02 as it's the only thing that will fit my TV unit

Total - around $650

Requirements - Watch/Record Digital HD TV, At least 2 x HDD spaces for storage but 2Tb will suffice for now, play music, downloaded TV etc

Questions

* I already have a Windows XP Professional License. Will this suffice with something like XMBC installed to play the TV channels, TV shows, DVDs, Music, Movies etc? Or do I really need Windows 7/Vista for Windows Media Centre?
* Will the remote that comes with the Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS be enough to control XMBC once the initial setup is complete? Ie enough to change channels, shutdown, start movies and the like?
* Can I just connect HDMI from the HTPC to the TV and it will carry sound and video? or just video?
* Should I consider the Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H?
* Can XMBC play/record/pause live TV ie Channel 7,9 etc? Or do I need to use WMC for this?

Thanks guys appreciate any advice

Grimey

FrankGrimes · 1st February 2011, 3:38 PM

Any cost savings without compromising the overall performance will be well received. Unfortunately the case can't be changed unless it's the same size or smaller.

kally · 6th February 2011, 11:11 PM

Have you considered a Brazos (Zacate) platform? It might not have the general processing power of the Athlon II X2 but I'm lead to believe the APU is superior to the integrated 4250 GPU of the 880G. It'll do everything you need to do for ~$100, in lieu of the $119 + $74.

higgsy · 7th February 2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kally

Have you considered a Brazos (Zacate) platform? It might not have the general processing power of the Athlon II X2 but I'm lead to believe the APU is superior to the integrated 4250 GPU of the 880G. It'll do everything you need to do for ~$100, in lieu of the $119 + $74.

When can we expect these new cpu's on the shelf in Australia?

kally · 8th February 2011, 2:34 PM

The threads in the AMD section indicated March.

OPM881 · 8th February 2011, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankGrimes

Questions

* I already have a Windows XP Professional License. Will this suffice with something like XMBC installed to play the TV channels, TV shows, DVDs, Music, Movies etc? Or do I really need Windows 7/Vista for Windows Media Centre?
* Will the remote that comes with the Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS be enough to control XMBC once the initial setup is complete? Ie enough to change channels, shutdown, start movies and the like?
* Can I just connect HDMI from the HTPC to the TV and it will carry sound and video? or just video?
* Should I consider the Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H?
* Can XMBC play/record/pause live TV ie Channel 7,9 etc? Or do I need to use WMC for this?

1. You will be fine with WinXP and XBMC, thats what I use and it does everything.
2. Yes, it should be.
3. Other posts have already answered this one.
4. Not sure on this one.
5. Yes, it can, if you use the XBMC PVR Fork. I use it now with media portal as a backend server on the same pc, works a treat.

1st February 2011, 3:19 PM	#1
FrankGrimes Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 819	HTPC Build Advice Hi Guys, Finally going to make the plunge into HTPC. I'm looking for a middle of the run HTPC. I don't want an underperforming (ie Intel Atom) machine but at the same time want to spend as little as possible and don't want to go over the top. Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 In stock $48.00 ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3 Motherboard In stock $119.00 MD Athlon II X2 260 In stock $74.00 Western Digital Green 2TB WD20EARS In stock $109.00 Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW In stock $29.00 Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS Dual HD Tuner In stock $59.00 Antec EarthWatts 430W In stock $69.00 Case - Most likely Silverstone GD02 as it's the only thing that will fit my TV unit Total - around $650 Requirements - Watch/Record Digital HD TV, At least 2 x HDD spaces for storage but 2Tb will suffice for now, play music, downloaded TV etc Questions * I already have a Windows XP Professional License. Will this suffice with something like XMBC installed to play the TV channels, TV shows, DVDs, Music, Movies etc? Or do I really need Windows 7/Vista for Windows Media Centre? * Will the remote that comes with the Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS be enough to control XMBC once the initial setup is complete? Ie enough to change channels, shutdown, start movies and the like? * Can I just connect HDMI from the HTPC to the TV and it will carry sound and video? or just video? * Should I consider the Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H? * Can XMBC play/record/pause live TV ie Channel 7,9 etc? Or do I need to use WMC for this? Thanks guys appreciate any advice Grimey Last edited by FrankGrimes; 1st February 2011 at 5:05 PM.

1st February 2011, 3:38 PM	#2
FrankGrimes Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 819	Any cost savings without compromising the overall performance will be well received. Unfortunately the case can't be changed unless it's the same size or smaller.

6th February 2011, 11:11 PM	#3
kally Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Fremantle Posts: 777	Have you considered a Brazos (Zacate) platform? It might not have the general processing power of the Athlon II X2 but I'm lead to believe the APU is superior to the integrated 4250 GPU of the 880G. It'll do everything you need to do for ~$100, in lieu of the $119 + $74.

8th February 2011, 2:34 PM	#5
kally Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Fremantle Posts: 777	The threads in the AMD section indicated March.