Help regarding HTPC components

[pushkarDighe]

Hi All,

I have a Sony 3D TV along with Yamaha 5.1 receiver andspeakers. I was planning to get a branded desktop which has been customized for entertainment (HTPC). I was thinking about putting in the latest i7 processer, 8 GB RAM or higher, 1 or 2 TB HDD, blu-ray drive, PowerDVD or similar and nVidia 3D support graphics card.

The main reason that I am looking at a HTPC is because ofthe following:

1. PC is upgradable and very flexible.
2. Players generally have hard time playing scratched disc. (I live in Mumbai and there is no escaping from dust which is the number one reason for scratched discs)
3. I have a huge stock of digital photos in camera raw format and will continue to take more which can be only be displayed by the cameras proprietary photo viewer software. (Converting them to Jpegs will just take too long.)
4. My TV can access internet but its browsing and interfacing feature are too cumbersome. I would rather use PC to surf the net and then display the content on TV.
5. I have ripped all my CDs and would like to play them by connecting my PC to Yamaha
6. Interfacing with any future net enabled device would be easier with a desktop than anything else.

With these thought can you people please suggest me on whatI should be putting in the desktop. The reason I am asking this is because I had been reading the posts on HTPCs and there are so many thing that people are talking about that I am totally lost as to what should be put in the desktop. What I am looking for is an average to better than average solution but not avery high end and neither a very low end. Under HTPC posts I have noticed lot of other devices like media players, network TV players and many DACs so on. Need help to understand why or when we should look at those options instead of a powerful desktop.

Thanks
Pushkar

 

[EthenHunt]

this is an overkill config for HTPC unless you are into gaming

 

[ruenigma]

I agree with ethenhunt here. Unless you are a game that sort of config is going to be an overkill for an HTPC. Now I am not sure of your budget but on a safer side I'll say think about a sandybridge i3, a decent h67 based itx board like the Asus p8ph67-I deluxe, a small ssd, a picopsu or an adaptor, a bd drive, and a sff case should get you going well.
If your Yamaha receiver had HDMI then great else the board also has optical out.

Sent from my Lumia 710 using Board Express

 

[pushkarDighe]

Thanks EthenHunt and ruenigma for your suggestions. Let me start working on this.
The config that I listed had an estimated cost of almost 100k Rs and hence I started looking around at other options. Just one question will the config that you have suggested support 3D?.
Thanks

 

[ruenigma]

As per the intel spec sheet it should. Using Intel's Intru-3d tech.
Here

 

[EthenHunt]

another option would be to use an AMD fusion based processor and motheboard combo which is more than sufficient for all your htpc needs. Get an SSD for OS, HDD for your movie collection, a Blu-Ray drive, install XBMC and you are good to go.

There are various threads on AMD fusion based HTPC configs and XBMC in the forum which will give you lot of information.