Need suggestions on building a HTPC

[andy78]

Guys I plan to build a HTPC pretty soon. Hence wanted to check with you guys as to what kind of budget should this cost me if I'm looking for a minimum.
Can I use my currrent Desktop PC and convert it to HTPC.

Please advise.

Processor:Core 2 Duo 2.13 Ghz
MotherBoard: Intel DG 965 RY
RAM: 2GB DDR2

 

[bijaymohanta]

Guys I plan to build a HTPC pretty soon. Hence wanted to check with you guys as to what kind of budget should this cost me if I'm looking for a minimum.
Can I use my currrent Desktop PC and convert it to HTPC.

Please advise.

Yes, you can use your existing components and add few components to make it HTPC ready. just let us know the specifications of your desktop pc.That will enable us to help you better.

 

[andy78]

Yes, you can use your existing components and add few components to make it HTPC ready. just let us know the specifications of your desktop pc.That will enable us to help you better.

Updated the details in the first post!

 

[haisaikat]

Components are enough for HTPC
Processor:Core 2 Duo 2.13 Ghz
MotherBoard: Intel DG 965 RY
RAM: 2GB DDR2


your mobo has good number of PCI slots. You should ideally need to get additionally a HD GPU, cabinet with SMPS and reuse whatever HDD you are already having. BD drive etc can be for future upgrades. Even if you not require 3D get a 3D compatibale HDMI 1.4 GPU so that you are future proof

 

[andy78]

Components are enough for HTPC
Processor:Core 2 Duo 2.13 Ghz
MotherBoard: Intel DG 965 RY
RAM: 2GB DDR2


your mobo has good number of PCI slots. You should ideally need to get additionally a HD GPU, cabinet with SMPS and reuse whatever HDD you are already having. BD drive etc can be for future upgrades. Even if you not require 3D get a 3D compatibale HDMI 1.4 GPU so that you are future proof

So what's the budget I'm looking into?

 

[andy78]

Guys any more suggestions!

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Above suggestions are good. You can add a MCE remote also. Check ebay.com for the same. If you are not keen on remote, go for Logitech K400 wireless keyboard mouse combo.

 

[samthemusicmad]

Hi guys,

I am also planning to build a HTPC (and it is gonna be my first one), but I have some questions nugging my mind. I am a novoice in this area but would like to enjoy some good music, so gurus out here please help me out of getting answers for these,

1. Will I be able to construct this setup?
Music part: HTPC -> Stereo Amplifier -> Floor Standing speakers
Video part: HTPC -> HDMI -> LED TV (No Sound should be from TV)

2. If yes, how do I get the music output from HTPC sent to Stereo Amp

3. Would like to setup HDMI as the single source for both music files & video files. Will there be any sync/mismatch between the audio and video played out from a HTPC as here are two separate boxes processing audio and video separately ?

For eg., If I am playing a video file from the HTPC, will there be any delay/lag inbetween audio-video of the file that is being played?

sorry for my ignorance :sos:

 

[kaushik]

The htpc dream is a drama if you want to play videos only ..

Consider these :

1) The look and feel : the Silverstone any decent etc cabbies cost 5-6k onwards
2) The gaming parts : may be 12-20k GFX, mouse,special controllers etc
3) The audio part : there are factors like noise , heating , boot time etc that takes pleasure out of the whole thing

So pc replacing the cdp /dac setup is very difficult to make .(impossible wrt price).

So why enter into jungle where getting food is very difficult ..

I recommend two options

a) Android media player with 3d etc 8k , dac setup with laptop(if u have )
Why ? video device is hassle free, good looking ,ready made
Audio:boots in 12sec, and can be kept sleep mode,manyh good dacs are there
b) Cdp and Android media player setup

 

[haisaikat]

@kausik, I disagree on some of the points
1. For 1.5K you get good zebronics slim cabinets that do not have digital display but not bad looking either soving all the purpose
2. For gaming why do you need 20K, unless you want to play on a 100 inch projector screen, there are gaming GPUs at much lower price
3. Boot time can be significantly reduced to 15 to 20 seconds if one use SSD instead of normal spinning HDDs, moreover if you install XBMC live it acts as standalone OS.
4. Media Players are not future proof unlike HTPC and cannot be part upgraded.
5. You can buy soundcards like ASUS Xonar which offer good sound cmparable to standalone dacs at lesser price.
6. Add BD Drive and becomes region free BDP (With ANydvd HD software), which otherwise if you have to purchase from market costs at least 15 to 20K with all such networked features.

 

[haisaikat]

Moreover I have personally used Media Player for years and then only shifted to HTPC.

@andy, sorry I missed your earlier post, Cabinet+SMPS+GPU you can get in 6K to 8K. I hope you are not looking for gaming.