Htpc

[majon96]

I'm thinking of setting up a HTPC. What hardware would you suggest?

[clocker]

What do you want this PC to do?

[Virtualbody1234]

I guess you would need to start with:

- a large HD display/screen
- a multi speaker system
- and a PC

? :unsure:

[Skillian]

I'm building one next month. It will be:

Antec Fusion case (http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6462)
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/11/0,1425,sz=1&i=116293,00.jpg

MSI K8NGM2-FID Mobo (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1803985)
This is Skt 939, but there's an AM2 version too. Has onboard DVI, VGA, S-video, component so you don't need a graphics card unless you're wanting a gaming machine. Has onboard optical sound too.

Either Western Digital WD3200KS or Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2803).
Both are 320GB with good performance, and both around £70/$100.

On top of that, I'm using an old Athlon64 3000+ and 1GB DDR (dual channel helps with the graphics for that mobo). A decent and quietish PSU comes with the case, but if I needed one or had extra cash I'd get a Seasonic S12-430 - super quiet and very efficient.

You'll probably need a TV card if you want to do PVR type functions, but what type depends on what you want to connect to it (aerial, set-top box etc.).

If it's going in a living room on a TV I'd recommend Windows Media Centre Edition, and the MS remote control and/or keyboard would be a good buy too.

http://images.sudhian.com/review/microsoft/mcekbd/tuan.huynh.mcekbd.02.jpg

Just suggestions, but I've done a fair bit of research. Let us know how you get on, I'd definitely be interested.

[Darth Sushi]

http://www.htpcnews.com/
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/HTPC.html
http://www.arisetec.com/products/HT-400.htm
http://www.atechfabrication.com/atech_6000_order_form.htm
Building a Home Theater PC, Part I (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1626403,00.asp)
Building a Home Theater PC, Part II (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1626402,00.asp)
Building a High Definition Home Theater PC (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1265778,00.asp)

[Skillian]

Some of those sites are pretty useful, but the "Building a Home Theater PC" articles are 3/4 years old - a lot's changed since then.

[clocker]

I'm building one next month. It will be:
Either Western Digital WD3200KS or Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2803).
Both are 320GB with good performance, and both around £70/$100.

Thought this might interest you.
I have several of both drives (250GB, not the bigger 320's) and much prefer the Seagates.
Here's a comparo between two of them...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/HDDcompare.jpg

[Virtualbody1234]

Thought this might interest you.
I have several of both drives (250GB, not the bigger 320's) and much prefer the Seagates.

I just got myself a 320GB Seagate ST3320620AS (http://www.seagate.com/cda/products/discsales/marketing/detail/0,1081,759,00.html).

Perpendicular Recording! :)

[Seedler]

HTPC:drool:

[Skillian]

Thought this might interest you.
I have several of both drives (250GB, not the bigger 320's) and much prefer the Seagates.

I just got myself a 320GB Seagate ST3320620AS (http://www.seagate.com/cda/products/discsales/marketing/detail/0,1081,759,00.html).

Perpendicular Recording! :)

I know I said next month, but I just ordered this HDD this morning too.

Went for the Seagate because I've previously been happy with the brand, but good to know there's data to back up my decision. :)