final components for HTPC

[gobble]

If its AMD - Very low power 45nm Shanghai quad cpus coming our way next quarter :licklips:

Maybe I'll upgrade just for the heck even tho my cpu is mostly under utilized now.

Cheers

 

[suprateep]

What mobo is a question which is logically a function of which processor brand you want to go with - Intel or AMD?

If AMD then the best choice lies with the 780G based mobos out there. The Gigabyte model discussed is one of them. If it is Intel, there are other choices.

hey i assimilated a lot of knowledge from the forums regarding the AMD HTPC solution using X2 Athlons..........what about the Intel........any low power proc and mobo combo in mind. :sad:

 

[thevortex]

hey i assimilated a lot of knowledge from the forums regarding the AMD HTPC solution using X2 Athlons..........what about the Intel........any low power proc and mobo combo in mind. :sad:

Personally I did not look at the Intel solution at all because it exceeded the price point by a small bit. You can look at the entry level Core2Duo processor. As for matching motherboards I did not do any research on that as I was not looking for that. Maybe people who have done some lookup can respond with favourable motherboard combos...

 

[nfsfan]

If AMD then the best choice lies with the 780G based mobos out there.

thats not quite right, when it comes to blu-ray audio.( no one uses it, but for future proofing it should be kept in mind)

780g motherboards do not have lpcm 7.1 support whereas nvidia 8200/8300 do have it. lpcm is the only way to stream blu ray audio over hdmi on a pc currently. that is because there is no implementation yet ( exception asus xonar hdav : $250 sound cad) for bitstreaming dolby truehd or dts-ma hd.

 

[suprateep]

thats not quite right, when it comes to blu-ray audio.( no one uses it, but for future proofing it should be kept in mind)

780g motherboards do not have lpcm 7.1 support whereas nvidia 8200/8300 do have it. lpcm is the only way to stream blu ray audio over hdmi on a pc currently. that is because there is no implementation yet ( exception asus xonar hdav : $250 sound cad) for bitstreaming dolby truehd or dts-ma hd.

absolutely even the HDAV has problems and can bitstream True HD through Arcsoft only.

BTW any idea how the Nvidia 8300 (e.g. M378EM ) chipset do LPCM for a Blueray (say i play a blue ray rip) - which particular software to use?

 

[thevortex]

thats not quite right, when it comes to blu-ray audio.( no one uses it, but for future proofing it should be kept in mind)

780g motherboards do not have lpcm 7.1 support whereas nvidia 8200/8300 do have it. lpcm is the only way to stream blu ray audio over hdmi on a pc currently. that is because there is no implementation yet ( exception asus xonar hdav : $250 sound cad) for bitstreaming dolby truehd or dts-ma hd.

Thanks nfsfan! One thing though is to see if your receiver has the ability to allow 7.1 LPCM transmission. I guess this feature could be costly

And suprateep allow me to point out that I have no experience whatsoever with Blu Ray and do not plan to dabble in it in the near future. So, my mobo recommendation was made with that in mind. Should have made that clear in my post.

 

[nfsfan]

absolutely even the HDAV has problems and can bitstream True HD through Arcsoft only.

BTW any idea how the Nvidia 8300 (e.g. M378EM ) chipset do LPCM for a Blueray (say i play a blue ray rip) - which particular software to use?

power dvd9 supports it.

Thanks nfsfan! One thing though is to see if your receiver has the ability to allow 7.1 LPCM transmission. I guess this feature could be costly

u bet it is. the cheapest receiver costs $300, thats only 5.1 receiver. add the speakers. oh and yes, its in dollars. make it come to india and !!!

here have a look :
http://www.hifivision.com/surround-amplifiers-receivers/3957-confused-hdmi.html

 

[cmsajith]

IMHO, opt for AMD X2 and 780g chipset mobo. The only drawback with the mobo is that it doesnt support 7.1 LPCM out through HDMI. Do we need to consider this as a drawback since we dont have enough blueray / similar content available? Once it is available or required, use a separate display card (may be more advanced than currently available nvidia) so that both will work in combination.

 

[suprateep]

IMHO, opt for AMD X2 and 780g chipset mobo. The only drawback with the mobo is that it doesnt support 7.1 LPCM out through HDMI. Do we need to consider this as a drawback since we dont have enough blueray / similar content available? Once it is available or required, use a separate display card (may be more advanced than currently available nvidia) so that both will work in combination.

but Asus m3n78em does that through HDMI and its nvidia 8300 chipset is superior to the ATI chipset in 780g based motherboards.

 

[nfsfan]

ati 4650 and 4800 series card already do lpcm 7.1. but do u want to keep a high noise component unless u r building a gaming system?

also. although these currently support 7.1 lpcm, ati has strictly said that it wont support bitstreaming of truehd or dts-ma, if at all possible.

but thats not a case with 8200/8300.

makes +2 for nvidia.

 

[gobble]

but Asus m3n78em does that through HDMI and its nvidia 8300 chipset is superior to the ATI chipset in 780g based motherboards.

An article comparing 780G with 8300 with G45

AnandTech: The IGP Chronicles Part 2: AMD 780G vs. Intel G45 vs. NVIDIA GeForce 8200

and a table

Chipset Comparison Table - Review Tom's Hardware : AMD and Nvidia Platforms Do Battle

Now you decide If you want 7.1 lcpm hdmi NOW and will not upgrade for the next 4 years, Nvidia is the way to go for an IGP Else the ati 4xxx descrete cards support 7.1 lcpm.


Cheers

 

[gobble]

Here is one more useful link for HD processing comparison. The footnotes explain the details

Missing Remote

Cheers

 

[captainrizal]

After going through March issue of AV max mag, I came across Normus Media servers. Will they serve the purpose of HTPC?

 

[raj]

I am thinking of building my next PC around either MSI K9N2GM-FIH (Nvidia based) motherboard or Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H (ATI based). This is going to be my primary PC but plan to use the hdmi out to occasionaly watch hidef movies. Does anyone have any experience with either of these motherboards? Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[suprateep]

I am thinking of building my next PC around either MSI K9N2GM-FIH (Nvidia based) motherboard or Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H (ATI based). This is going to be my primary PC but plan to use the hdmi out to occasionaly watch hidef movies. Does anyone have any experience with either of these motherboards? Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

i was personally trying to build a HTPC for some time (that is one thing that has taken more time than speaker audition or avr audition and purchase). I do not know much about the MSI but have seen the Gigabyte baby in action. the giggy is good - only problem is it does 2 channel lpcm via HDMI and 5.1 via spdif (so actually no support for 7.1 in LPCM in case you have a capable receiver). Depends on your requirements actually - i wanted 8 channel LPCM hence the asus m3n78em is the best bet. Plus it has optical out too + other analog jacks.

I do not understand or know you requirements well but go for the asus. The asus 78em + AMD x2 7500 would cost you around 8.5k. Good VFM

 

[suprateep]

After going through March issue of AV max mag, I came across Normus Media servers. Will they serve the purpose of HTPC?

what are your requirements from an HTPC - just watch movies and music, play occasional games, some net surfing, etc. The Normus wont suffice then - its strictly a av device whose main work is play media files.

Problem is do a search on google for the Normus - absolute zilch. While similar players like the popcorn hour (way cheaper like 12k + shipping + customs = 15-16k) or even the TVIX 6500 (available in India for 26k) have a whole lot of forums dedicated to them. So in case you need support wrt to networking setup, playback etc you know what to do. FOr Normus you will be fish out of water man.

 

[suprateep]

I maybe repeatign the post but good news for people wanting a HTPC solution but put off byt the cabinets.

I have the Silverstone cabinet price list and these are available in Mumbai (shipping charges are 600 rupees.

1 ML 02B MXR22 HTPC 15500 "

Acrylic front panel, 4.0mm aluminum frames, 0.8mm SECC body" MoDT Micro ATX, Mini-ITX, DTX Multimedia software, remote with on/off function, Multilanguage LCD/IR Slim optical x 1 3.5" x 1 or 2.5" x 1 (vibration dampening) - "
1 x 50mm exhaust fan, 2200rpm, 19dBA" 3 x 50mm fan slots Oversized venting holes - - 1 (includes 1 x PCI riser card and 1 x PCI-Ex16 riser card) "USB2.0 x 2
IEEE1394 x 1
audio x 1MIC x 1
52-in-1 card reader" Fanless 120W DC/DC board & AC adapter - "

4 kg" 397 mm (W) x 82 mm (H) x 375 mm (D) -


2 LC 10BE 00020 HTPC 8300 Aluminum front panel, 0.8mm SECC body ATX, Micro ATX Multimedia software, remote with on/off function, Multilanguage LCD/IR (LC10-MX only) 5.25" x 1 3.5" x 7 2 x 92mm or 80mm fan slots 2 x 80mm exhaust, 2050rpm, 21dBA 1 x 80mm fan slot & PSU vents - - - 7 "USB2.0 x 2
IEEE1394 x 1
Audio x 1
MIC x 1" Optional standard PS2 (ATX) - 6.4kg "

430mm(W) x 170.2mm(H) x 425.5mm(D)" -


3 LC 19B R0022 HTPC 11200 "

Aluminum front panel, 1.0mm SECC body (LC19R:0.8mm)" "

MoDT Micro ATX, Mini-ITX, DTX" - "
Slim optical x 1" 3.5" x 1 or 2.5" x 1 (vibration dampening)( LC19R only ) - 1 x 50mm exhaust fan, 2200rpm, 19dBA ( LC19R only ) 3 x 50mm fan slots ( LC19R only ) Oversized CPU/NB vents - - 1 (includes 1 x PCI riser card and 1 x PCI-Ex16 riser card) for LC19R "USB2.0 x 2
IEEE1394 x 1
audio x 1
MIC x 1
52-in-1 card reader (LC19R only)" "

Fanless 120W DC/DC board & AC adapter" - 3.9kg 390 mm (W) x 68 mm (H) x 348 mm (D) Slim optical drive IDE adapter


4 CW03 BMT 0010 HTPC 39990 "

All aluminum body, nickel-coated steel structural support" "

ATX, Micro ATX" 7" touchscreen, IR, remote with on/off function, iMON media center software "Native resolution: 800 x 480
Supported resolutions: 640 x 480 ~ 1920 x 1200 @60Hz" 5.25" x 2 3.5" converter bay x 1 3.5" x 6 (vibration dampening) - "
2 x 80mm fan, 2050rpm" - - 2 x 80mm fan, 2050rpm - 7 - Optional Standard PS2(ATX), maximum depth: 220mm Support to 11.25 inch length expansion card 8 kg "

430mm(W) x 184mm(H) x 436mm(D)" Touchscreen pen, 250mm D-sub connector, rackmount ears


5 GD02BMT 0020 HTPC 21500 Aluminum front panel & corners, SECC body Micro ATX, DTX, Mini-ITX 4.3 touchscreen, IR, remote control with on/off function iMON media center software "Native resolution: 480 x 272
Supported resolution: 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768" "
Slim optical drive x 1 3.5 x 1" "
3.5 x 2 (vibration dampening)" - 2 x 80mm exhaust fan, 2050rpm - - - - 4 "USB2.0 x 2
IEEE1394 x 1
Audio x 1
MIC x 1" "

Optional Standard PS2(ATX)" Compatible with expansion card up to 11.5 inch 7.86kg "

430mm(W)x155mm(H)x360mm(D)" -


6 LC16B MR220 HTPC 13500 Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body Standard ATX, Micro ATX "

Multimedia software, remote with on/off function, VFD/IR" - "5.25 x 1
3.5 x 1" "
3.5 x 6" 2 x 92mm or 80mm fan slots 2 x 80mm exhaust fan, 2050rpm, 21dBA 1 x 80mm fan slot - - - 7 "52-in-1 card reader (LC16MR only)
USB2.0 x 3 (USB2.0 x 1 for LC16MR)
IEEE1394 x 2 (IEEE1394 x 1 for LC16MR)
audio x 1
MIC x 1" "

Optional standard PS2 (ATX)" - 7.3kg "

425 mm (W) x 170mm (H) x 425 mm (D)" -


7 LC16S MR220 HTPC 13500 Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body Standard ATX, Micro ATX Multimedia software, remote with on/off function, VFD/IR - "5.25 x 1
3.5 x 1" 3.5 x 6 2 x 92mm or 80mm fan slots 2 x 80mm exhaust fan, 2050rpm, 21dBA 1 x 80mm fan slot - - - 7 "52-in-1 card reader (LC16MR only)
USB2.0 x 3 (USB2.0 x 1 for LC16MR)
IEEE1394 x 2 (IEEE1394 x 1 for LC16MR)
audio x 1
MIC x 1" Optional standard PS2 (ATX) - 7.3kg 425 mm (W) x 170mm (H) x 425 mm (D) -


8 LC 17B0220 HTPC 7600 Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body Standard ATX, Micro ATX - - "5.25"" x 2
3.5"" x 1 (occupied by front I/O)" "
3.5"" x 6" "
2 x 92mm or 80mm fan slots" "
2 x 80mm exhaust fan, 2050rpm, 21dBA" 1 x 80mm fan slot & PSU vents - - - 7 "USB2.0 x 4
IEEE1394 x 1
audio x 1
MIC x 1" "

Optional standard PS2 (ATX)" - "

6.8 kg" "

425 mm (W) x 170 mm (H) x 425 mm (D)" -


9 LC 17S0220 HTPC 7600 "

Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body" Standard ATX, Micro ATX - - "
5.25"" x 2
3.5"" x 1 (occupied by front I/O)" "
3.5"" x 6" "
2 x 92mm or 80mm fan slots" 2 x 80mm exhaust fan, 2050rpm, 21dBA 1 x 80mm fan slot & PSU vents - - - 7 "USB2.0 x 4
IEEE1394 x 1
audio x 1
MIC x 1" Optional standard PS2 (ATX) - 6.8kg 425 mm (W) x 170 mm (H) x 425 mm (D) -

Coolers
Sr.No. Model No. Enclosure material Application Net Weight Dimension Cooling fan Dimension w/fan Thermal Resistance Fan blade size Fan speed Max air pressure Max airflow Noise
Price
1 NT 07 - AM2 Cooler 1250 Aluminum AMD SocketAM2 330g "
106mm(W)x20.5mm(H)x80mm(D)" 80mm cooling fan "
106mm(W)x36.5mm(H)x80mm(D)" Rca 0.25 ? /W @ 65W , Full Speed "
80 x 80 x 16mm" 1500~2500rpm 10% "
0.63~1.85mmH2O" "
14.22~26.97 CFM" "
15~25dBA"


2 NT 07 - 775 Cooler 1250 Copper center, Extruded aluminum fins "Intel Socket775 45 nm :
Core 2 DUO E8000/E7000 series
Pentium Dual-Core E5000 series
Celeron D 400 Celeron E1000 series" "
310g" "
90mm cooling fan" 93mm (W) x 36.5mm (H) x 93mm (D) "
0.35(C/W)" "
1200~1800rpm 10%" 0.5~1.58mmH2O 12~23CFM "
15~23dBA"

Fans
Sr.No. Model No. Dimension Material Color Bearing Rated Voltage Start Voltage Operating Range Rated Current Rated Power Speed Airflow Static Pressure Noise Level Lifetime
Price
1 Suscool 121 Fan 675 120 x 120 x 25mm "
Plastic (PBT)" "
Sky Blue Blade & Black frame" "
Enter Bearing" "
12V DC" "
8V DC" "
8V~13.8V DC" "0.2 Amp @ 60?
0.08Amp @31?" "
2.4W @60?
0.96W @31?" "950rpm @60?
400rpm @31?" "42.15CFM@60?
17.75 @31?" "
0.57 mm-H20 @60?
0.10 mm-H20 @31?" "
18dB(A) @ 60?
15dB(A) @ 31?" "
30,000 hours"


2 FM 121 Fan 700 "
120 x 120 x 25mm" "
Plastic (PC)" "
White" "
Dual ball bearing" "
12 VDC" "
7 VDC" "
0.40A (Max. 0.45A)" "
4.8W (Max. 5.4W)" "
800 ~ 2400rpm" "
Max. 110.03CFM" "
Max. 3.26mmH2O" "
17dBA at 800rpm, 39.5dBA at 2400rpm" "
50,000 hours"



I will try getting the price update for Antec 2480 too.

PS: Could not include the xls because of size restrictions

 

[anm]

maybe you can try chotu from zebronics for 2k

 

[gobble]

maybe you can try chotu from zebronics for 2k

Motu from CoolerMaster is also nice

 

[spirovious]

Motu from CoolerMaster is also nice

Cooler master 600w SMPS is around 4.5k.