I'm thinking of setting up a HTPC. What hardware would you suggest?
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I'm thinking of setting up a HTPC. What hardware would you suggest?
What do you want this PC to do?
I guess you would need to start with:
- a large HD display/screen
- a multi speaker system
- and a PC
? :unsure:
I'm building one next month. It will be:
Antec Fusion case
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/...=116293,00.jpg
MSI K8NGM2-FID Mobo
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.
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/mic....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.
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.
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/v7...HDDcompare.jpg
I just got myself a 320GB Seagate ST3320620AS.
Perpendicular Recording! :)
HTPC:drool: