HTPC Build - Page 2

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/showpr...atid=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.

Daz · 04-01-2008, 15:10

Billy - LinuxMCE uses Myth iirc

BillytheImpaler · 04-01-2008, 15:11

Might have to try that out myself.

Wossi · 04-01-2008, 16:13

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!

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.

jmc41 · 04-01-2008, 19:27

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/s...tml?AMD-X2M236
£42 oem chip (bit faster): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?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.

Wossi · 04-01-2008, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmc41

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/s...tml?AMD-X2M236
£42 oem chip (bit faster): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?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

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.

Mark · 06-01-2008, 19:37

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.

04-01-2008, 15:05	#11
BillytheImpaler Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA Posts: 32	If you want 2 GiB RAM just get whatever's cheap. If buying from OcUK get this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...atid=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. __________________

04-01-2008, 15:10	#12
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Billy - LinuxMCE uses Myth iirc __________________ apt-get moo

04-01-2008, 15:11	#13
BillytheImpaler Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA Posts: 32	Might have to try that out myself. __________________

04-01-2008, 17:55	#15
BillytheImpaler Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA Posts: 32	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. __________________ Last edited by BillytheImpaler; 04-01-2008 at 17:58.

04-01-2008, 19:27	#16
jmc41 Absinthe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,070	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/s...tml?AMD-X2M236 £42 oem chip (bit faster): http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?AMD-XM242O Last edited by jmc41; 04-01-2008 at 19:36.

04-01-2008, 16:13	#14
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	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!

04-01-2008, 19:53	#17
BillytheImpaler Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA Posts: 32	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. __________________

05-01-2008, 06:43	#19
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	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. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

06-01-2008, 19:37	#20
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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.