HTPC Guide

[TechHead]

Budget:
ION based system:
Look out for the Zotac MAG HD-ND01 all in one system.. it comes with an ION CPU soldered on with RAM.160GB HDD as well.

AMD based system:
Get any dual core Athlon (X2 series), couple it with 2GB RAM, and an Asus M3N78-VM nVidia motherboard. Add 2GB RAM, HDD of your choice, and you have a powerful system, able to handle all HD formats and 7.1LPCM over HDMI audio support for Blu-Ray uncompressed audio formats.

Intel based system
As above, but just couple a Pentium Dual-Core E5200/E5300 with a 9300 chipset based motherboard of your choice. Same functionality.

Mid-Range

AMD based system:
As above, get a dual core Athlon, with a 785G/880G based motherboard of your choice. However, add an AMD Radeon 5670 or 5570 based video card, as this will allow bitstreaming of all high-def audio formats. Of course, add 2GB RAM, case of your choice, HDD of your choice (common to all systems)

Intel based system:
A Core i3-530 + H55 motherboard is all you need.. this will allow bitstreaming to your receiver for HD audio formats. No discrete video card needed.

For all the systems above, I'd recommend Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit, as codec support for 64 bit systems can be a pain sometimes.

Feel free to critique and add comments, but remember: The main aim for an HTPC should be silent, frugal playback of media, either local or from the network. For that reason, I've not recommended C2Quad or i7 based systems..


Power Supplies

As far as power supplies go, I would recommend the Corsair VX450 or CX400 PSUs.. quiet, high quality and trouble-free. Word of advice - Cooler Master's lower end PSUs aren't very good. Stay away from them.

Cases

Very personal call.. depends on whether the user wants a tower or desktop cabinet etc. Lian-Li (www.xtremegx.com) have some good cabinets, but they're expensive, as are the Silverstone Sugo series (Prime has them in stock http://www.primeabgb.com/index.php?...shop.browse&category_id=113&Itemid=53)

 

[kapvin]

Budget:
ION based system:
Look out for the Zotac MAG HD-ND01 all in one system.. it comes with an ION CPU soldered on with RAM.160GB HDD as well.

AMD based system:
Get any dual core Athlon (X2 series), couple it with 2GB RAM, and an Asus M3N78-VM nVidia motherboard. Add 2GB RAM, HDD of your choice, and you have a powerful system, able to handle all HD formats and 7.1LPCM over HDMI audio support for Blu-Ray uncompressed audio formats.

Intel based system
As above, but just couple a Pentium Dual-Core E5200/E5300 with a 9300 chipset based motherboard of your choice. Same functionality.

Mid-Range

AMD based system:
As above, get a dual core Athlon, with a 785G/880G based motherboard of your choice. However, add an AMD Radeon 5670 or 5570 based video card, as this will allow bitstreaming of all high-def audio formats. Of course, add 2GB RAM, case of your choice, HDD of your choice (common to all systems)

Intel based system:
A Core i3-530 + H55 motherboard is all you need.. this will allow bitstreaming to your receiver for HD audio formats. No discrete video card needed.

For all the systems above, I'd recommend Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit, as codec support for 64 bit systems can be a pain sometimes.

Feel free to critique and add comments, but remember: The main aim for an HTPC should be silent, frugal playback of media, either local or from the network. For that reason, I've not recommended C2Quad or i7 based systems..

Fair enough! though at the budget end, one could also look at a g45 chipset for intel. Gigabyte had one g45 mb which had a halfway decent analog chipset - the ALC889. I had used the less capable g43 in an HTPC and had no cause for complaint!

I've been off AMD for a bit, so have no perspective on their cpus/ chipsets.

 

[gbharani]

Please include casing and power as well

 

[partymonger]

Nice and simple, no-headache guide.

Could you update with a few good cabinets, with good aesthetics.

 

[m-jeri]

is that asus mobo available in market?

price?

 

[gap g j]

Budget:

AMD based system:
Get any dual core Athlon (X2 series), couple it with 2GB RAM, and an Asus M3N78-VM nVidia motherboard. Add 2GB RAM, HDD of your choice, and you have a powerful system, able to handle all HD formats and 7.1LPCM over HDMI audio support for Blu-Ray uncompressed audio formats.

I'm having the M3N78-VM nVidia MB for my HTPC. after 4 to 5 months the systems behaved erratically. The date and time are correct but it takes a lot of time (1/2 hour) to boot. Never shows all the drives and sometimes it doesn't boot at all.
I flashed the BIOS many times and I also flashed with the latest available on the net. But it is no use.
Then I replaced the motherboard battery after that the system worked smoother for 4 to 5 months and again the same problems.

It seems the MB Battery drains very quickly within four to five months. I have used many computer but I never come across this problem. Do anyone having the MB having the same problem.

regards
Gap G J

 

[crusader]

How about remote controllers for the HTPC? Does universal remotes like Logitech harmony can be used? For remotes to be used, the cabinets should support an IR receiver, right? Any suggestions?