savnac

I've used this site for a while to get advise and ideas, thought it was time to show off my HTPC build. I had some challenges;
1) it needed to fit in a closed door cabinet out of site so it needed to be small
2) the wife had to be able to operate it
3) it needed to be able to play 720p content

So anyways here are the pictures, I used the MSI Media Live 5.1 mobo that has 100w per channel amp built in. So I have 5 speakers running off of it. All this running off of a 300w power supply, amazing if you ask me. The stats are in my system info. Any questions or comments would be great.

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savnac

more pics

Attached Thumbnails

         

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DuckieHo

I remember see that mobo a year ago.... very interesting with the addin amp card.

What CPU?


If you don't care about warranty, remove the crappy PSU fan grill with some tin snipes to reduce noise/improve airflow.

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To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular

savnac

Yeah that mobo is pretty cool but there are some bugs that need to be worked out but MSI refuses. Maybe the next generation will be better if they make one.

I have a AMD X2 Dual-Core 4550e 2.3GHz 45W, cool quite and energy efficient.

Good idea on the power supply, I might have to give that a try. It's pretty quiet since it's in a cabinet, but can be heard very lightly if the room is quiet.

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DuckieHo

Some other suggestions for cable management and to improve much needed airflow:
* Getting some shorter SATA cables would help the clutter.
* There looks like room underneath the PSU that you might be able to hide some wires.
* Cut the zipties on the 24-pin ATX line. You then should be able to run it underneath the motherboard.
* Front panel cables may also fit under the mobo.

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To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular

savnac

Yeah, the case has really bad airflow but I used low power efficient components so everything seems to run cool. I use HWmonitor and have never seen the temps get too high even while recording a TV show and watching a HD movie at the same time. The hottest component is probably the tuner card.

This was a fun build but already I'm looking at a newer build. It's funny, I'm happy with everything but it's fun to pick out stuff and put them together.

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savnac

Great ideas! I'll be taking everything apart this weekend to put in a new 1.5tb hd. I'll see if I can improve cable management and post pictures. I almost want to get rid of the DVD drive, can't remember the last time I used it, I even installed Win7 off of a flash drive in my other computer. They are almost obsolete.

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Stevo

I can already see your next challenge, it will be able to play 1080p. What is the video card you have in your PC.

I'm always looking at a newer build. I need to really fix my sound and I'm currently looking at downgrading my PC because I don't need a quad for my needs.

I don't use my dvd drives either except to install the O/S. I still use IDE dvd roms, I have no need to get a sata one. But for a HTPC to have the ability to drop a CD/DVD is a requirement.

savnac

Actually I can play 1080p no problem, but my TV is only a 720p. My video card is a lowly ATI HD 3450. I can understand getting a faster card if you want to play games, but for HD video anything more is just overkill.

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DuckieHo

The onboard HD3200 can play 1080p by itself....

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To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular