[DJVege]

I accidentally posted this in the wrong forum. Asked mod to delete old thread. Reposting here. Hope that's ok.

After reading through many posts and seeing many users HTPC builds, I've now decided to use an AMD solution. Thanks to Eskro for the many builds you've put up as the information helped a lot.

I'm now looking at this for my HTPC:

Antec Minuet 350 Slimline case with 350W PSU $119.00
Netgear WNDA3100 Wireless-N USB Adapter 802.11 $72.00
Samsung 22X DVDRW Black SATA $29.00
AMD Athlon II X2 CPU AM3 3.1GHz (65W) $64.00
Asus GF GT430 PCI-E2.0 LP $72.00
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P $66.00
G Skill 4G(2x2G) DDR3 1333Mhz RH55 CL7(4GBRH) $55.00
WD Scorpio 320G SATA 7200RPM 16M 2.5" HDD $69.00

Total $546.00

Software
----------
Windows 7 64 bit
XBMC Dharma

Any suggestions on improvements are appreciated. My requirements are:

* able to handle 1080p, H264
* HDMI bitstreaming of HD audio
* Wireless-N
* Fairly quiet

This will be a dedicated HTPC running XBMC.

I haven't quite decided on whether I'll use a bluray player instead of the DVDRW...

Thanks.

...DJVege...

[eskro]

i would swap these:
Asus GT430 with this --> Radeon HD5450 ($24.99 after mail-in rebate + Free Shipping)
Samsung 22X DVDRW with this --> LG 22X DVDRW ($19.99 + Free Shipping)
WD Scorpio 320G with this --> Kingston 30GB SSD ($50.99 after mail-in rebate + Free Shipping)

For Wireless-N --> ASUS PCE-N13 (N-Draft2) 300 Mbps ($24.44 + Free Shipping)

Side Notes for Windows HTPC's:
- 2GB's of RAM is plenty in an HTPC environment (4GB is more for gamers)
- your paying $3 more for the 3.1GHz AThlon X2... you wont see any difference
- 30GB SSD is enough for windows + xbmc + other applications

WHat makes noises is the CPU HeatSKinFAn,,,,
However this can be tuned down using HWMonitor application,,,
you can set the CPU Fan at a lower RPM speed like lets say %50...
this will quiet the HTPC... but keep monitoring the TEMPS...
if all goes well, you can leave the FAN at %50....
if CPU TEMPS are high, well, you'll have to increase the speed...
and thats up to a point where if it really distracts you,
you can always buy a 3rd party CPU cooler like the popular
Scythe BIG SHURIKEN ($35 + $3)

also the case...
if you like that one, its ok,,,
However, you could get a nice Silverstone Ml03 case for $60
then get a ANTEC EARTHWATTS 380W power supply at $40
which would make you save another $20 since the ANTEC MINUET is --> $120...

now the Silverstone Ml03 has no fans...
you dont necessarily need fans in there...
but if you want, it supports up to 4 x 80mm fans!
these ones are super quiet
SilenX IXP-74-09 80mm 1700RPM 32CFM 14dBA ($8 + $4)
1 or 2 of those would be enough thats for sure...
because like i said,
you dont necessarily need fans in there...
but if you plan on adding normal mechanical hard drives,
those can generate heat...
and the FanLess video cards always generate heat....

hope this helps!!

[DJVege]

Hi Eskro,

Thanks for the info. Sorry, I forgot to mention that my prices are in AUD as i live in Australia. I'll research and see what price I can get those parts you suggested here in Oz for.

Cheers!

[DJVege]

System with Eskro's suggestions in AUD pricing:

Silverstone ML03B Black Slim HTPC Case - $87
Antec ATX EarthWatts 380W ATX PS - $62.00
AMD Athlon II X2 CPU AM3 3.1GHz (65W) - $63.50
LG H22NS50 SATA 22X+- Super Multi DVDR Black - $29.00
Corsair 2G 1333MHz DDR3 VS2GB1333D3 - $24.00
ASUS PCE-N13 WLAN PCI-Express Low Profile - $38.00
Kingston 30G SSD V-Series SATA2 - $69.00
Asus EAH5450 LP - $36.00

Total - $AUD 408.50 - Geebers! Good thing I posted on these forums before making any purchases!

I have no experience with Radeons. Nothing against them, but have just been a Nvidia man. I'm assuming this card and cpu will handle 1080p H264 no worries. ?

Also, I only chose that CPU above as it was the cheapest of the X2s on http://www.umart.com.au (Milton site), as this is where I usually source my stuff. (Usually have the best prices in QLD).

Thanks Eskro. Much food for thought before buying!

[eskro]

RADEON HD5450 handles HD-Audio Bitstream + FULL 1080P Blurays!!

Silverstone ML03B Black Slim HTPC Case ** http://ow.ly/1tBWXb
Antec ATX EarthWatts 380W ATX PSU ** http://ow.ly/1tBWYf
AMD Athlon II X2 CPU AM3 3.0GHz (65W) ** http://ow.ly/1tBX0e
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P ** http://ow.ly/1tBXSl
LG H22NS50 SATA 22X+- Super Multi DVDR Black ** http://ow.ly/1tBX0J
Corsair 2G 1333MHz DDR3 VS2GB1333D3 ** http://ow.ly/1tBX31
ASUS PCE-N13 WLAN PCI-Express Low Profile ** http://ow.ly/1tBX3n
Kingston 30G SSD V-Series SATA2 ** http://ow.ly/1tBX7P
Power Color RADEON HD5450 FanLess LP ** http://ow.ly/1tBXqg (350W PSU minimum recommended)

any better prices??

[DJVege]

Wicked.

Silverstone ML03B Black Slim HTPC Case - $87
Antec ATX EarthWatts 380W ATX PS - $62.00
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P - $66
AMD Athlon II X2 CPU AM3 3.1GHz (65W) - $63.50 (3.0Ghz is same price, lol)
LG H22NS50 SATA 22X+- Super Multi DVDR Black - $29.00
Corsair 2G 1333MHz DDR3 VS2GB1333D3 - $24.00
Kingston 30G SSD V-Series SATA2 - $69.00
Power Color HD5450 FanLess LP - $34.50

Total - $435

Adjusted prices and vid card. The prices online might be a couple of bucks cheaper, but you have to add postage to them. The price I've shown above are pick up prices.

Between the Silverstone and Antec Minuet...why is the Silverstone better? To be honest, I haven't researched the Silverstone much, so I'll do that now.

Thanks again.

[eskro]

if you like that one, its ok,,,
However, you could get a nice Silverstone Ml03 case for $60
then get a ANTEC EARTHWATTS 380W power supply at $40
which would make you save another $20 since the ANTEC MINUET is --> $120...

now the Silverstone Ml03 has no fans...
you dont necessarily need fans in there...
but if you want, it supports up to 4 x 80mm fans!
these ones are super quiet
SilenX IXP-74-09 80mm 1700RPM 32CFM 14dBA ($8 + $4)
1 or 2 of those would be enough thats for sure...
because like i said,
you dont necessarily need fans in there...
but if you plan on adding normal mechanical hard drives,
those can generate heat...
and the FanLess video cards always generate heat....

[DJVege]

That's what I get for speed reading.

Yeah, I do like the Silverstone case. My only issue with it would be size, but I'll measure up my dimensions (cabinet) and verify that when I get home.

The Silverstone is 440 mm (W) x 105 mm (H) x 340 mm (D).
Antec is 319mm(W) x 94mm(H) x 439mm(D)

Antec is not as wide, but deeper. Silverstone is wider, but not as deep. I'm fairly sure 440mm W is too wide..but, I'll check.

Definitely like the look of the Silverstone. Looking at some of their other cases too.

Thanks a lot for all your help/info!

[eskro]

keep us updated!

[DJVege]

Will do! You've thrown a spanner in the works, Eskro! :p

I was set on the Minuet!! Now I don't like it much at all! 440mm better not be too wide for my cabinet!

[eskro]

didnt checked it yet?

[DJVege]

Won't fit where I was thinking of putting it... but it will fit on the shelf above my amp. So that's where it's going!

Cheers for all your help Eskro.

[eskro]

hahaha Sweet DJVege!!!

Send us some pics and a tiny video of your final product, if you can

[DJVege]

Will do mate! I should have this setup purchased in the next 2/3 months at the latest (bit of moving up and down and my wedding reception coming up), so will post pics as soon as it is setup.

[eskro]

** waiting