HTPC specs Q

[EchoZA]

Does the following sound o.k. for a HTPC Media Server?

Thermaltake DH101 with remote
AOpen 500Watt PSU
Gigabyte EP43-UDL3 LGA755 MB
Intel Core2 Duo E7600 3.06Ghz 3Mb 1066FSB
Corsair Desktop Memory 2Gb DDR2 800 (x2 for a total of 4Gb)
Seagate 500Gb SATA 7200Rpm 16Mb Cache (x2 for total of 1Tb)
Samsung 22X DVD RW
MSI 9800GT PCI-Ex16 1Gb GDDR3

 

[AxField]

Just a suggestion, but change your video card for an ATI 4650 or higher. This will make your life much easier as you will be able to stream LPCM audio through HDMI. So, if your decoding software can decode the HD audio formats it can be sent along to your AVR. Small detail, but costs nothing. The rest looks perfect, although I doubt you need that much memory. What you going to be using for playback? Personally I quite like MCE with the Media Browser plugin. I also run the CCCP codec pack and I'm yet to pickup any issues, although I'm running an E8400.

 

[EchoZA]

I was using Windows 7 MCE and the Media Browser plugin (with Chocolate theme) on my old Media Server, connected to my SONY Bravia via VGA and COAX audio out to my amp.

 

[djtzar]

Just a suggestion , but why not go for a mede8er or popcorn hour , depending on your budget. That's if it's only for watching movies/series etc on the lcd. Just my 2c

 

[Hemps]

Running:

Dual Core 2.8ghz
4gb ram
2x 1TB hdd
ATI HD4850
Output lpcm and picture via single hdmi cable to sony amp then single hdmi cable to TV
Windows 7
400w power supply
Xbox media center with hardware upscaling
Tried Media Center but it just doesn't have the look and feel of xbox media center which has much more functionality and more themes.

 

[Obelix]

Kinda overkill if you ask me. Running mine fine with just 1.6Ghz dual core Atom on a Mini-Itx formfactor Board. Gonna upgrade the mobo though to get HDMI out running..... but it will still be a mini-itx board....

 

[Mier]

Does the following sound o.k. for a HTPC Media Server?

Thermaltake DH101 with remote
AOpen 500Watt PSU
Gigabyte EP43-UDL3 LGA755 MB
Intel Core2 Duo E7600 3.06Ghz 3Mb 1066FSB
Corsair Desktop Memory 2Gb DDR2 800 (x2 for a total of 4Gb)
Seagate 500Gb SATA 7200Rpm 16Mb Cache (x2 for total of 1Tb)
Samsung 22X DVD RW
MSI 9800GT PCI-Ex16 1Gb GDDR3

That's more than good enough for a Media Center PC. I also have a DH101 case, it's great. I use a Pentium Dual core 2.5Ghz CPU, 2GB Ram.

Some suggestions:
* I run 2GB RAM and this is more than enough. More is better, but the Hauppauge TV card I have doesn't run with 4GB or more RAM (probably a driver problem, but I don't know if it's sorted yet)
* Make sure the graphics card is silent (no fan, only a heatsink) and have native HDMI output. Some geforce cards include a cable to connect the SPDIF output from the motherboard to the GFX card and the ATI cards seam to have onboard audio decoders.
* I suggest you run the HDD's in a RAID configuration for best performance.
* Why not install a Blu-ray drive instead of a DVD drive ?
* On my motherboard the on-board sound sucks, so you may want to install a proper sound card.
* Remember to get a wireless keyboard and mouse - the remote control for the DH-101 sucks (in my opinion, so I use the MCE remote from my TV-capture card).

 

[EchoZA]

Thanks for the input, I may trim the system down once insurance pays out and I place the order. I will look into the wirelss keyboard mouse as well. As for the Blu-Ray, I already have a dedicated BD player.