View Full Version : HTPC Build
After faffing around with tversity and the likes to be able to watch hd content on my tv and even using a monitor cable to connect my laptop to my tv and getting annoyed at the lakc of resolutions, I've finally decided to build a budget spec htpc. Only problem is, I have no idea what to buy :(
The budget is around £300/350 ish, and that is for everything bar the tv. I would like to be able to connect to the tv using hdmi, oh and I'll need a wireless card to connect to the net. It won't be used for gaming at all just media use but some storage would be nice.
Oh, and what OS would be best to use for it? I'm feeling flexible with that one.
Thanks
Dave
BillytheImpaler
04-01-2008, 06:13
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6752/overclockersukyourbaskeuq8.gif
This should give you a start. I don't know what's good as far as wlan cards and capture card these days so I left space for them.
As usual in my HTPC specs I include this processor as a placeholder for an X2 3800+ "Energy Efficient" 35 W CPU. It is more than powerful enough for decoding 1080p with aggressive codecs and it will put out significantly less heat. I've got one in my HTPC and I love it. OcUK doesn't sell them and I don't really pay enough attention to the UK marketplace to know who else might sell them. The AMD part number for it is ADD3800CUBOX.
As for the OS, I run Linux on mine with great success. I actually have it split into a frontend/backend so the head unit that plays the media is entirely diskless. If that's not your bag, XP MCE or one of the Vistas might do. I hear good things about mediaportal.
Thanks Billy, does that case come with fans already installed or will I need to buy them separately? Also, stupid question time, will there be cables included in with the DVD and HDD, or again will I have to buy them. It's been a few years since I built a PC.
Last question, what version of Linux are you using and how friendly is it to use for someone who has never used Linux before? Oh and if I decided to go down the Vista route, what difference is there between home premium 32bit and 64 bit?
Thanks
Stan_Lite
04-01-2008, 11:29
The HDD and optical drive are both OEM so will just come "as is". The cables you need should come with the motherboard. Can't help regarding the case though.
Last question, what version of Linux are you using and how friendly is it to use for someone who has never used Linux before?
You could try LinuxMCE: http://linuxmce.com/
It's maturing quite well by all accounts - the video is worth a watch if you get chance. Gained some geek press recently after some ex-MS guy ditched Windows MCE for it after it just wouldn't worth with his HD cable service over in the states.
Dont know about that but it does look pretty swish. And free of course.
Linuxmce looks interesting, I take it from having a quick look, that I would need to install Ubuntu first then d/l and install linuxmce on top of that?
Nope, the linuxmce installer disc(s?) does it all for you I believe. Watched the video a couple of months ago and I think that's right.
Thats actually a pretty good setup for the price! I would up the memory for 2gb though as 2gb packs are really cheap now.
I am very surprised that hdds are that cheap now, I may have to invest in some more for myself.
Bugger, just thought. Does that cpu come with a fan or am I going to have to buy 1? I can't seem to see if it does or not.
If I was going to go for 2gb, what would you recommend?
As a retail pack, I'd be surprised if there's no fan included.
BillytheImpaler
04-01-2008, 15:05
If you want 2 GiB RAM just get whatever's cheap. If buying from OcUK get this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-010-OK&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=
You might also want to look into MythTV. IT's what I use. There are three Myth-centric distros, Knoppmyth, Mythbuntu, and Mythdora. I haven't really used any of them though. For my Myth boxes I did a minimal "server" installation of Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS 64-bit (Folding@Home requires 64-bit) and added everything else on top of that so I didn't end up with anything I wouldn't use. If you want a more desktop-like experience you might try the regular desktop with MythTV installed.
Play around and see what catches your fancy.
As for the case Antec's web site comes with "2 sidemounted 120 mm TriCool™ 3-speed fans." Whether or not they're any good I don't know. If you have to replace them I recommend highly the Yate Loon D12SL-12 in sexeh black and orange. They're cheap as chips and silent at 7v.
Billy - LinuxMCE uses Myth iirc :)
BillytheImpaler
04-01-2008, 15:11
Might have to try that out myself. ;)
I've finally ordered everything and had my card declined :( On the phone to the bank and it's because I was using it in America the other day for large purchases and now using it in the UK for large purchases. Great idea in theory blocking my card, but a bloody inconvenience.
It looks like I'm going to give linuxmce a go, it looks very good and as it's free Bonus! :D
BillytheImpaler
04-01-2008, 17:55
I haven't used it, obviously, but these seem pretty good. They might help you as you get acquainted with Linux.
http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/QuickStart_Guide
http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Installation_Guide
http://www.linuxis.us/linux/media/howto/linux-htpc/
If you run into any problems there seem to be loads of Linux-loving folk on the forums so feel free to ask. :)
If not ordered yet might be worth going for an oem chip and get a decent fan? I got an £8 one that's silent at 2k rpm, pushes > 37cfm.
The "gunk" that comes on it isn't bad, sees a 3200 idle ~30C.
[ Edit ]
£30 oem chip (bit slower): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?AMD-X2M236
£42 oem chip (bit faster): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?AMD-XM242O
BillytheImpaler
04-01-2008, 19:53
I have an Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 low profile in mine and I'm not all that impressed. It cools quite well but as a non-directional tower it make routing airflow in my case fussy. It idles around 28 degrees though, with minimal sound.
The 35 W "Energy Efficient" X2 I recommend is only available in retail form.
If not ordered yet might be worth going for an oem chip and get a decent fan? I got an £8 one that's silent at 2k rpm, pushes > 37cfm.
The "gunk" that comes on it isn't bad, sees a 3200 idle ~30C.
[ Edit ]
£30 oem chip (bit slower): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?AMD-X2M236
£42 oem chip (bit faster): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?AMD-XM242O
Everything is ordered and will be with me on Monday, if the stock cpu cooler is no good I'll just chuck it and get a better one, it's just trying to find one that fits in the case :(
Also going to give linuxmce a go, downloading it now so expect many posts by me on Monday/Tuesday asking for help :D
Stan_Lite
05-01-2008, 06:43
Unless you're going for a massive overclock (unlikely in an HTPC), the stock cooler should be more than sufficient. I don't know about AMD coolers nowadays but the Intel ones are pretty much silent.
Watch the height of CPU coolers in that case (tower-style coolers - inc Freezer - don't fit). I recommend the Zalman CNPS8700 myself, which may or may not fit (depends on the motherboard layout). I agree though that if you're not overclocking, the stock cooler should be sufficient.
The TriCool fans are good enough. Run them on Low if possible, Medium if necessary. I rate the case very highly as far as cooling goes. I believe it's a relative of my Veris case, which cools HDDs (the ones listed in the spec) to within 3C of ambient.
BillytheImpaler
06-01-2008, 21:44
The Scythe Mini Ninja fits and, by all accounts, should do a marvelous job.
True, if the CPU is low enough power to be run passively then the Big Typhoon probably fits too.
I won't be overclocking this at all, just leaving everything standard. Will check out what coolers will fit when everything turns up.
Woo Hooo. It's all finally up and running on my lcd tv in my room, ended up going with Vista as I couldn't get on with Ubuntu, maybe if I took the time to figure it all out and wotnot, then maybe I would have stuck with it, but I'm lazy. Getting the picture through the hdmi port on the motherboard was a PITFA, had to bring the monitor from downstairs up and use both displays to get the tv as the main source, then another 30 minutes getting the resolution right. As soon as the rest of the partitioned hdd is formatted it's Hi-Def goodness :D
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