HTPC Configuration: Pls. suggest

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soulofmusic

Active Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2011
Messages
156
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28
Location
bangalore
Requirement
1. 50% Music, 30% Movies, 20% Games (FIFA 07, NFS Underground - I know I am dated :indifferent14:)
2. For Music, Asus Xonar is given
3. Streaming all content over 'wifi' from central NAS - music (foobar), movies (XMBC). Though Games can be on HTPC HD - so wont need HD of more than 80GB (I think).
4. Wifi adapter that can handle HD video streaming including 720p/1080p blurays
5. HDMI Output - No 3D required
6. For Gaming, I want basic configuration that can handle games till 2007-08 era.:cool:
7. A nice looking cabinet will be plus but dont wanna spend too much on it
8. Boot time to be within 20sec (with no login requirement)
9. Important to have a remote with basic + scroll and volume control. Good to have boot and shutdown through remote.:D

I am a complete novice in this areana, hence looking forward for your help.
Pls. suggest the configuration with price. I am trying to estimate the hit and then will decide.
 
Last edited:
iam no expert, but i believe you should stick to stereo. music is created in 2 channels and should be played through 2 channels. look for a decent pair of full range floorstanders and matching amp. should cost around 50-60k total (for an entry level setup)... but the sound experience will be incredible.

iam sure the experts here can give accurate suggestions.

but if you want a one time solution as a 5.1 (stereo experience will not be the best, but you have surround, what the heck).. go for an HT like Onkyo HTS3400. cost around 26-27k pretty nice sound provided you setup the speakers well.
 
ShutterX said:
iam no expert, but i believe you should stick to stereo. music is created in 2 channels and should be played through 2 channels. look for a decent pair of full range floorstanders and matching amp. should cost around 50-60k total (for an entry level setup)... but the sound experience will be incredible..
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: Shutter X, SoM already has an incredible setup in Musical Fidelity m3i and Monitor Audio Rx6.
 
Last edited:
CharanKumar said:
:lol: :lol: X Man, SoM already has an incredible setup in Musical Fidelity m3i and Monitor Audio Rx6.
Click to expand...

i see :p

so basically we are talking about source. my friend has an HTPC. used mainly for Bluray movies and music. its a basic AMD pc with the xonar d2x. since the main thing is movies in 5.1, hes got a 5.1 setup. i guess you could go for the Xonar st for stereo. that would get two things to the table. lovely headphone amp and great snr for stereo. hes also running a NAS for main storage (its those torrent downloaded tv series :lol:)
 
You might use the following as starting point for a configuration:

Processor: Core i3 2100 (since you want to do some light gaming): about 6.5K
Mobo: Asus P8H61-M series (LX will do): About 3.2K
RAM: 8GB (because RAM is cheap enough now): About 1100.00 x 2
Graphics Card: GT440 (an Asus should be fine; I think they have a fanless model): about 4.5K
HDD: 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm: about 5.5K
PSU: Corsair CX500v2: About 3.5K
Cabinet: To taste :) I'd suggest the Cooler Master Elite 360: about 2K

Now, I have no idea about the needs for gaming, but I think this setup should cover light gaming (of the kind you do) and then some. Also, you might be able to get away with 4GB RAM and a 460W PSU, and save about 2K on both. The prices are approximate, and in Bangalore, you are likely to get slightly lower prices that what I've mentioned.

About the sound card, did you mean you already have a Xonar with you? If not, I'd suggest the Asus Xonar STX with a Xonar HDAV addon (if you can find one) for multichannel sound, if budget is not at all an issue, and if 2-channel sound is the priority. Else, a Xonar D2X (about 8K) should cover surround sound (and it should do a pretty reasonable job with music too).

EDIT: Just saw the need for a WiFi adapter. The mobo and the cabinet will let you add on a PCI adapter. I don't know what kind you'll need to stream HD, though (I'm still a wired guy, duh!).
 
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Thanks a ton Hydra.

I dont have a soundcard - but I was sure I am gonna use Asus Xonar series...that' why..

Any input on wifi adapter and remote?
 
The setup I've mentioned may take a bit longer than 20 secs to boot up to Windows. But If you use OpenElec, I think it will boot-up under 20 secs.

Or, you can throw in an Intel 310 series 40GB SSD (about 5.5K; prices will come down soon since the 330 series was announced a few days back) for faster boot-ups. Not really needed, IMHO.

About the remote, I don't really know what to use, as I don't use a remote per se. I use a Lenovo N5901 which is as handy as a remote (and which after about 1 year of use is getting to be a bit quirky). It has multimedia keys, a full keyboard and a trackball. No F1-F12 function keys, though (though you may not need them very much). The newer n5902 is far better, but almost double the price.

You will find great tips on setting up the HTPC's media software here: http://www.hifivision.com/home-thea...18571-sam9s-htpc-project-powered-xbmc-68.html
 
are you sure youd use SSD for an HTPC? i guess capacity is more important that transfer speed after all.. and since its not a high end gaming build, i doubt boot times would matter so much.

spent the cash on a nice 1tb wd green. you can keep it on the whole day and it wont be bothered.
 
And SSD would have to be in addition to a regular HDD. Unless the data will be fed via a NAS or external HDD.
 
soulofmusic said:
Thanks a ton Hydra.
Any input on wifi adapter and remote?
Click to expand...

I am using a EDUP USB wifi adapter. I have tested streaming of 720p and 1080p files of a maximum size of 4GB from my HTPC to laptop and it works perfectly.

Any MCE remote control can be used to control XBMC. I am using one such OEM MCE remote for HP which was bought from ebay uk. Price appx. Rs.900/-. Cheaper 'pc remotes' are available in ebay India, but these are not MCE remotes and so cannot be customized much. Both these can be used to shutdown your pc, but power on is not possible. For power on/off, you will need HTPC cabinets that have remote controls bundled like the Antec fusion 350. But they are unfortunately very costly.
 
I am not going for SSD.... I am going to spend the minimum possible on harddisk, because the storage is going to be on NAS.

Thanks baijuxavior and Hydra... let me wait a till friday and then pay a visit to the famous SP road ;)
 
go for a 2.8ghz dual core cpu. go for amd as intel will be more expensive.
go for 3gb ram, most probably you will be using 32 bit windows due to gaming requirement and it can handle maximum 3gb ram. you can still go for 2+2 gb dual channel (identical ram).
ssd 40 or 80gb. add a 1tb normal hdd, you will need it sooner or later. optimize your windows to get faster boot times. Dont go for 7200rpm. you dont need the hdd speed and 5400 rpm is quiter.
go for a good power supply, if you need 300w, go for 500w supply.
go for 300mbps router, 150mbps client should be enough.
mobo video card should be enough for videos and older games. Dont go for a video card, most of them come with fan and add to noise. test without a card and see if its ok for your needs. if not, then add a fanless card.
cooler master has a 120mm silent fan for the cab, which is dirt cheap, some 200 bucks odd. try it.
i think this should set you up nicely.
Edit: I have adesso remote, got from amazon for around 22 bucks. its slightly more expensive, but has been going solid with a lot of abuse from small kids also. has mouse, shutdown, arrow keys etc. i think you need to enable usb wakeup in bios (?) to get the bootup from remote to work.
 
Also, configuration i could collect with your help
1. AMD 2.8Ghz Dual Core Processor (2750/-)
2. Asus P8H61-M series LX - (3048/-)
3. 4GB CORSAIR PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 - (1249/-)
4. HD - 250GB Seagate - 4000/-
5. EDUP USB wifi adapter 150MB - 700/-
6. PC remote (keeping 1000/- approx)
7. Corsair 500W Builder Series CX500 80 Plus - (3500/-)
8. Cabinet (keeping 2000/- approx)
9. Asus Xonar DX2 10000/- -

Total cost: 28247/- with 10000/- going for the Xonar alone :(

Any suggestion for improving this... Obviously Cost increase will have be questioned ;) and decrease will be welcomed without any question ;)

But do suggest both :D

Also have I missed out factoring out anything?
 
soulofmusic said:
Also, configuration i could collect with your help
1. AMD 2.8Ghz Dual Core Processor (2750/-)
2. Asus P8H61-M series LX - (3048/-)
3. 4GB CORSAIR PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 - (1249/-)
4. HD - 250GB Seagate - 4000/-
5. EDUP USB wifi adapter 150MB - 700/-
6. PC remote (keeping 1000/- approx)
7. Corsair 500W Builder Series CX500 80 Plus - (3500/-)
8. Cabinet (keeping 2000/- approx)
9. Asus Xonar DX2 10000/- -

Total cost: 28247/- with 10000/- going for the Xonar alone :(

Any suggestion for improving this... Obviously Cost increase will have be questioned ;) and decrease will be welcomed without any question ;)

But do suggest both :D

Also have I missed out factoring out anything?
Click to expand...

I think you have the processor name listed wrongly, it should be Intel. Or is it a typo, please recheck..

thanks
 
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