HTPC?

HBee said:
I't probably could, but I would not buy it. The reason you need dual core is for applications like XBMC. They have databases etc, and the bigger your library gets, the more grunt your cpu wil need.
Click to expand...

That's a very good point. I guess R850 for the extra core + wireless n isn't exactly steep anyway. I'm also not sure about the optical drive. The slot-load slim Sony I found is very cheap in the UK, so that's an option, but it probably isn't region free in which case it's pointless.
 
The wireless is a HUGE plus. Playing media over it is no slouch like it used to be with my popcorn hour. Seek is instantanous and fastforward very effective.
 
rsd said:
That's a very good point. I guess R850 for the extra core + wireless n isn't exactly steep anyway. I'm also not sure about the optical drive. The slot-load slim Sony I found is very cheap in the UK, so that's an option, but it probably isn't region free in which case it's pointless.
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You could always later add it or even use an external.
 
HBee said:
You could always later add it or even use an external.
Click to expand...

Any thoughts on hard drive?

Would just need XP + XBMC / Boxee or possibly Ubuntu + Boxee so I was thinking SATA to SD adapter and then an 8gbSDHC, although I don't know how long an SD card would survive when running an OS off it.
 
Seeing as you are from the cape, you could phone cafe viva in Claremont @ 021 683 6789 and find out if they still have the deal on this board. Got everything - board, case, HD, 2 gig memory, wireless keyboard & mouse and a mce remote control for a tad over R3500. Be warned though that while installing your OS, you should have a keyboard with ps2 or USB connetor handy as the wireless one does not realy kick in untull the os starts loading.
 
HBee said:
Seeing as you are from the cape, you could phone cafe viva in Claremont @ 021 683 6789 and find out if they still have the deal on this board. Got everything - board, case, HD, 2 gig memory, wireless keyboard & mouse and a mce remote control for a tad over R3500. Be warned though that while installing your OS, you should have a keyboard with ps2 or USB connetor handy as the wireless one does not realy kick in untull the os starts loading.
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Whaat really? R3500? I think I should drive there right now. That's a damn good special. I'm in newlands, so down the road. Will call.
 
Special might have ended at the end of business yesterday, waiting to hear for sure. If only you'd told me this yesterday ;)

Still - thanks for the heads up. Will drive through there otherwise and try talk them into it.
 
I been checking on the M4A785G and it seems really good.

What CPU will you guys recommend with it?
and how's the ATI4200 compare to the Nvidia ION2?
 
E8200, msi p43-neo fr, 500gb harddrive .. gb odin 370, masi 4350passive and a coolermaster elite 360....
 
bar1 said:
I been checking on the M4A785G and it seems really good.

What CPU will you guys recommend with it?
and how's the ATI4200 compare to the Nvidia ION2?
Click to expand...

The 4200 is more than powerful enough for your needs. Just get the cheapest dual core you can find. Although an Athlon II 435 is around R700 and you get 3cores.
 
Hi Guys, you chaps seem clued up and i didnt want to start a new thread.. what would i need for a basic HTPC? I currently have a few spare parts lying around and would like to use this instead of investing in new components. I have:

Intel Dual Core E5400 2.7ghz
4gigs DDR2 800 Ram
Gigabyte g31m Mobo (Microatx)
450w PSU
8600GT HDMI Graphics
LG DVD Writer

I need a HTPC case and anything else to enhance the experience here.. I also have a Pioneer LX 60 Amp and run my sound via the analogue stereo headphone jack. Do i need a sound card for digital audio?

Again apologies for the hijack.. your knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
Your Motherboard may or may not support digital audio. Your setup looks great, just look for the noisiest fans and try to quiet them IMO - with a fan controller, and try to get some sort of remote control going. If you have an iPhone no prob - or you can try Salling Clicker for most phones via bluetooth.

That or get a good quality wireless Mouse & Keyboard...
 
My 2c: The best HTPC is still the Apple Mac Mini.

Why? It's the smallest, quietest PC you can buy that's still rather powerful enough to play anything and everything including H.264 videos @ 1080P. It has digital-audio out, Gigabit ethernet, Wi-fi and bluetooth all built in. It has an awesome remote control. And it comes with great software for playing media from the couch - Front Row - built in as well!

So yeah, it's a little expensive, but if you price all the extra's into your HTPC (bluetooth, firewire, wi-fi, remote etc etc) and get yourself a nice high quality case, you're looking at pretty much the same price anyway. And it still won't be as awesomely small, not nearly.

The only issue is no native blu-ray playback. Have to rip them first, or else boot into Windows!
 
Synaesthesia said:
Your Motherboard may or may not support digital audio. Your setup looks great, just look for the noisiest fans and try to quiet them IMO - with a fan controller, and try to get some sort of remote control going. If you have an iPhone no prob - or you can try Salling Clicker for most phones via bluetooth.

That or get a good quality wireless Mouse & Keyboard...
Click to expand...

do you think i can add a sound card to remedy the digital sound issue or does the board fall short? i have the Samsung Omna HD so im not too sure if salling clicker supports symbian, il check it out. The Logitech Di Novo Mini is an awesome piece of tech but expensive, for now im testing out Ultra VNC to remote onto the main screen and use it to control the HTPC.

is there anything else that im missing other than a case?
 
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