Suggest HTPC configuration

[ukjeyaraj]

Hi All,

Planning for a new HTPC build.

What I already have

1. Full HD Monitor
2. DVD Writer
3. Logitech wireless Keyboard + Mouse
4. D-Link Wi-Fi Adapter
5. HP MCE Remote

Preferences

1. Storage requirement minimal (coz, will be connected to NAS)
2. mATX configuration
3. HTPC Cabinet
4. GPU (not sure if necessary)
5. Optical/Co-axial Output

Budget - Strictly less than Rs.25000

Let the suggestions flow.....

 

[jatinmalhotra]

my 2 Cents

1, I ball baby cabinet - 1800
2, 64 GB SSD kingston - 5530
3, MSI A75g55 Mobo + AMD A6 3500 - 9950
4. 4 GB ddr 1333 ram - 1200

Only miss is optical if U require then probably change the Mobo.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

I will prefer a better cabinet (atleast coolermaster elite 360). Also normal HDD will do for storage(will save some money here).

I wont be playing any games. Its purely for movies and occasional browsing. I dont know, if I need dedicated graphic card (even for future proof). Experts pliz help here. If not required AMD APU based config currently looks attractive.

 

[venkatcr]

My suggestions are more general:

1. Two or more core CPU
2. Minimum 4 GB RAM
3. At least 4 bays for 3.5 inch drives
4. PowerDVD - you don't need any other software. This works superbly. I actually formatted my machine, re-installed the OS, and have just PowerDVD. Forget VLC, and any other software or drivers. You don't need anything.
5. Blu-ray drive
6. USB 3.0
7. At least one HDMI port either from the MB or a GPU.

Cheers

 

[ukjeyaraj]

I am currently setting up a NAS box for all my movies, so 4 bays may not be required. Blu-ray drive, will be added in future.

About powerDVD vs VLC, I was using PowerDVD earlier, but for last 7 years I am using only VLC and no other player. Sometime back I tried the 2D to 3D conversion feature in powerDVD and it was interesting(had fun seeing some old 2D movies in 3D through anaglyph glasses that came with some publicity content). I will give a try on PowerDVD once again.

However for HTPC it will be completely powered with XBMC.

 

[baijuxavior]

I am using AMD Fusion E350 mobo. It is purely aimed at HTPC purpose with power consumption around 25W only. You can add a GPU later if you want 3D support. For cabinet I suggest Theitdepot - Antec Fusion Remote Black Media Center Cabinets. It supports Micro ATX / Mini ITX boards.

 

[sam9s]

1. Any dual/quad core CPU. i3 2100 if you cant manage to get hold of duals and quads
With i3 I'd couple it with any varient of ASUS P8H61 series, depending upon your requirements. Sweet mobo for the price
2. If you are just running XBMC, 2GB RAM is all you need. But since RAM is pretty cheap you might as well go for 4.
3. For cabinet, I'd say iball is too cheap and crappy and Antec is too expensive. I am
not sure if horizontal cabbie is a necessity in your case but if not I will settle down with
Cooler Master Elite series worth mentioning are Elite 431, 431 Plus and my personl fav 334 and 335 ................... these are ofcourse as I said if you are not too keen for a horizontal cabbie. Ultimte cabinets for the price .....
4. GPU ... well GT520 is doing good for its price. I'd still recomend GT440, (a much better card for fraction of a more price)


Please refrain from an SSD, believe me it is no at all required. Its a waste, if you have money to invest, get a 1TB HDD instead for storage.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

^^
What is your take on AMD E-350/450 based setup?

I may end up with Projector and HTPC at one side and AVR in the opposite side, under the screen. In that case I may connect HTPC directly to projector and need to connect the S/PDIF from HTPC to AVR. The distance to be covered will be between 12 to 15mts. Will it be possible with optical cable? For this purpose I would like to have co-axial output in motherboard.

If the above is going to seriously affect the performance or practically not feasible, I need to keep both AVR and HTPC below screen and need to invest on some 15mt HDMI cable, (which I basically want to avoid). Also I need to connect the monitor with long 15mt VGA cable, as the same cannot be kept below the screen.

Note: Projector does not have VGA-Out

 

[baijuxavior]

IMO, AMD fusion E350 is enough for HTPC. I am using Gigabyte GA-E350NUSB3 ITX mobo. I have tried 720p and 1080p BRRips and they play very well on XBM Eden. Though I haven't tested, this will play even full bd iso with ease. It also supports HD audio, has DVI, VGA optical and 7.1 analog out puts. It also comes with much faster USB3 but has no eSATA. You can add discrete GPU later to support 3D. I have one problem with this mobo - the hdmi quality is really bad on my HDTV. I suspect the TV to be the culprit here. I'm using VGA for display.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Are these offers good (in terms of price and specs)

Buy ECS H61H2-M2 MB, Intel Core i3-2100, Mushkin 8GB Offer in Mumbai India

Buy Asus P8H61-M LX MB, Intel Core i3-2100, Corsair 4GB DDR3 RA in Mumbai India

First combo has HDMI port too. Though both motherboards does not have S/PDIF out, they have S/PDIF header. What is the purpose of this header. Is there any component which can be connected to get Optical and/or coaxial out.

I need to check if the first one support HD audio through HDMI.

 

[baijuxavior]

I think option two is better. Save the 2K for a GPU. If you really need optical/coaxial then add a sound card. Please note with SPDIF, you won't get HD audio. It supports only DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

^^ Thanks.

I would be using only 5.1 setup currently. I hope HD audio will get down mixed to Dolby 5.1 or DTS through SPDIF. Can you suggest a decent sound card?

 

[baijuxavior]

This one will suite your need - Add-Ons - Sound Cards - www.deltapage.com

 

[ukjeyaraj]

If I take AMD Fusion root. This board also meets all the requirement

MSI India - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

For 3D I can always a dedicated GPU in future.

I am inclining towards AMD Fusion based setup now.

 

[baijuxavior]

It has both optical and coaxial out that will meet your requirement. You will need a Mini-ITX cabinet. I am using Cooler Master Elite 100, but with this case the PCI-E slot is non usable. So while buying the cabinet make sure that it supports add on card.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

I was checking for the same cabinet. Do you mean to say PCI-E X16 expansion slot available in mobo cannot be used with cabinet? If that is true, it is not possible to add graphic card in future.

 

[sam9s]

^^
What is your take on AMD E-350/450 based setup?

I may end up with Projector and HTPC at one side and AVR in the opposite side, under the screen. In that case I may connect HTPC directly to projector and need to connect the S/PDIF from HTPC to AVR. The distance to be covered will be between 12 to 15mts. Will it be possible with optical cable? For this purpose I would like to have co-axial output in motherboard.

If the above is going to seriously affect the performance or practically not feasible, I need to keep both AVR and HTPC below screen and need to invest on some 15mt HDMI cable, (which I basically want to avoid). Also I need to connect the monitor with long 15mt VGA cable, as the same cannot be kept below the screen.

Note: Projector does not have VGA-Out

Fusion is performing pretty good, for the reviews we have by few members on HiFi, not my personal fav though, specially for 3D. Seriously its your take for this. If your HTPC would also be in to few other simultaneous tasks, like ripping/downloading etc, I'd refrain from fusion. i3100 combination is worth every penny for the price its getting these days ...... but as I said your take.

For your second query, 10-12 mts for an optical cable is no big deal. But its not tested as such atleast by me. On the other hand 10mt HDMI is something I have used and it works perfectly, even a cheap one. I'd take the HDMI route. "HTPC to AVR to Projector" (that is ur projecter does have HDMI in)

Are these offers good (in terms of price and specs)

Buy ECS H61H2-M2 MB, Intel Core i3-2100, Mushkin 8GB Offer in Mumbai India

Buy Asus P8H61-M LX MB, Intel Core i3-2100, Corsair 4GB DDR3 RA in Mumbai India

First combo has HDMI port too. Though both motherboards does not have S/PDIF out, they have S/PDIF header. What is the purpose of this header. Is there any component which can be connected to get Optical and/or coaxial out.

I need to check if the first one support HD audio through HDMI.

I'd go with the first option, with a change in the mobo to P8H61-M PRO, it has HDMI and supports bitstreaming via Intels HD graphics. BUT (A big BUT here) I would not recommend to use Intels HD graphics for HD Audio Video. serious driver issues, if you wanna go for i3 combi, make sure you have a separate GPU. else go for AMD Fusion .. simple ...

 

[baijuxavior]

I was checking for the same cabinet. Do you mean to say PCI-E X16 expansion slot available in mobo cannot be used with cabinet? If that is true, it is not possible to add graphic card in future.

The PCI-E slot is obstructed by power supply. Also there is no provision for addon cards on the back panel.

 

[jatinmalhotra]

1. Any dual/quad core CPU. i3 2100 if you cant manage to get hold of duals and quads
With i3 I'd couple it with any varient of ASUS P8H61 series, depending upon your requirements. Sweet mobo for the price
2. If you are just running XBMC, 2GB RAM is all you need. But since RAM is pretty cheap you might as well go for 4.
3. For cabinet, I'd say iball is too cheap and crappy and Antec is too expensive. I am
not sure if horizontal cabbie is a necessity in your case but if not I will settle down with
Cooler Master Elite series worth mentioning are Elite 431, 431 Plus and my personl fav 334 and 335 ................... these are ofcourse as I said if you are not too keen for a horizontal cabbie. Ultimte cabinets for the price .....
4. GPU ... well GT520 is doing good for its price. I'd still recomend GT440, (a much better card for fraction of a more price)


Please refrain from an SSD, believe me it is no at all required. Its a waste, if you have money to invest, get a 1TB HDD instead for storage.

I don't get the reason behind having a costly cabinet. What is the benefit of better cooling ?
Your HTPC mobo and Processor will die out in 3 years or will get outdated by that time, So whats the need of buying a costly cabinet.

I am in PC assembling for past 10 years and don't understand the fascination with These costly cabinets ? Can some one shed some light on it.

The cabinet will be anyway tucked away neatly with Avr and stuff ?

I agree with SSD , Dont buy it , i am regretting it.................

 

[manniraj]

I don't get the reason behind having a costly cabinet. What is the benefit of better cooling ?
Your HTPC mobo and Processor will die out in 3 years or will get outdated by that time, So whats the need of buying a costly cabinet.

I am in PC assembling for past 10 years and don't understand the fascination with These costly cabinets ? Can some one shed some light on it.

The cabinet will be anyway tucked away neatly with Avr and stuff ?

I agree with SSD , Dont buy it , i am regretting it.................

I think most of us put the htpc along with other items in the living room. Hence most of us (includes me) expect it to be a good looking can gel with the rest of the items. Thats the reason I got the silverstone case with black color with very nice looks and I have put this up below my receiver in the show case. In fact many of the people who visit my place dont even recognise that its actually a computer rather they think that it is some sort of receiver. If the purpose is just to put it in one corner then any case will do there is no need to get a nice looking costly case.
Just my 2 cents..

Thanks.