[Silentknyght]

Hi!

I'm looking to make my first HTPC (and it will run XMBC). I'd say that I'm a "Group 6" person, and if I had the funds, I would build my own from scratch in accordance with the guidance suggested. Unfortunately, except for the media center case, I don't have the funds, so I'm looking to build (the rest of) it from existing parts. I'm hoping that some of the experienced forumgoers here can tell me how close I'm going to get to "Group 6" functionality, and what--if anything--needs to be fixed/replaced.

Silverstone GD08B ATX Case ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811163196 )
AMD Phenom 9950 Processor ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819103291 )
MSI K9A2 Platinum Motherboard ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813130136 )
4GB DDR2 1066 Memory ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227298 )
eVGA Geforce GTX 260 Videocard ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814130370 )
Antec Neopower 650 Blue ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817371010 )
Windows 2000 64-bit
...and a few, large spinning-platter HDDs.


I believe I need to get Windows 7 in order to bitstream HD audio (though I wish I didn't have to pay so much for a license!), and it looks like I need a new videocard with an HDMI output (and would appreciate suggestions). I'd appreciate any confirmation/discussion on this, as well as anything else that sticks out as inadequate.

Cheers,
~SK

[nickr]

You don't need windows to bistream HD audio. Linux plus any reasonably recent nvidia card (5xx or 6xx series for example) will do it comfortably.

[Ned Scott]

I don't know if it's just me, but that's a pretty ugly case for $155 + $20 shipping.

[JesusOnEez]

I don't know if it's just me, but that's a pretty ugly case for $155 + $20 shipping.

Bleurgh...surely can get a better looking one for half that money.

Generally the hardware should be fine (plenty, in fact), but as mentioned, the graphics card may need replacing.

If you're insisting on Windows, I would halve the cost of the case and get something that doesn't make a mortal man's eyes bleed, and get Windows 7 OEM to put on it. Or if you really, reeeeaaally like the case, then Linux would be an option as stated. Windows 2000 may be as solid as a rock, but it's still 13 years old and you will end up with driver issues on newer tech, especially if you have to get a new GPU.

EDIT: Personally, I think this one ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811204037 ) is nicer looking but I see you are limited by needing full ATX. Micro-ATX would give you more options but meh. Then you could get Windows 7 Home Premium ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6832116986 ) all together for a similar price to your original case.

[Silentknyght]

You don't need windows to bistream HD audio. Linux plus any reasonably recent nvidia card (5xx or 6xx series for example) will do it comfortably.

Any thought on this PNY Geforce 610 card? ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...NY%20GT610 )

As for the case--damn, guys, it's not that bad. It's ATX, which I need in order to use existing parts, and it apparently has a decent interior layout that won't leave me cursing to fit everything in there. It's also the right height--I only have so much room vertically, unless I replace my other AV units---and seemed the best of the bunch, all things considered. Also, it's $150 with free shipping on Amazon, and at any rate, it's already purchased, so no going back.

[JesusOnEez]

Card you're suggesting looks plenty good enough...just make sure it fits in the case as I understand that can be a problem with some cases. The case you've got looks pretty hefty so you should be fine and it looks like a low profile card from the picture.

Upon closer inspection of the case I see that it's definitely function over form...like an old Volvo.

[Silentknyght]

You don't need windows to bistream HD audio. Linux plus any reasonably recent nvidia card (5xx or 6xx series for example) will do it comfortably.

I didn't realize that Linux could bitstream HD... good to know. But there's not a good way to watch Netflix in Linux, correct? I have a Linux Mint box (it's what's being cannibalized to make this HTPC), so I am somewhat knowledgeable about the Linux world, but it was my understanding that the Netflix "solution" was really unreliable.

So, if I'm limited to Windows for Netflix, then I'm limited to Windows 7 for Bitstreaming HD audio, right?

[nickr]

I understand netflix works in linux by using wine and a windows compile of firefox. Many report is works well.