DuckieHo

Bloodrage has an X-Fi ExtremeAudio.... which isn't really X-Fi. It is just a stand-off card with software simulated X-Fi features.


HTPC generally are hooked up to TVs, have TV tuners, focused on media playback/recording, quietness, ect. Nothing above in your build....

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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

flushentitypacket

My friend already has a tv tuner, and I have monitor in the budget. Noctua is in there, and I was considering getting aftermarket VGA coolers. I don't think the person i'm building this for needs much more than the sound that comes with the mobo.

flushentitypacket

Anything critical I'm still missing??

durch

What's your client doing for sound? I'd save on the memory by getting CAS7 or 8, save on the HDD's by getting WD Caviar Green or Black (Black is preferred), and save on the PSU by getting the Corsair 750TX. Take that $250-300 and put it toward a sound card and a very nice monitor.

But I too am confused as to how this is an HTPC build as well as a gaming build. Is this being hooked up to a monitor or to a TV? And again, what are you doing for sound?

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flushentitypacket

Hooked up to a monitor.

Quick question. Does output have to be HDMI as opposed to DVI (from vid card to monitor) in order to take advantage of HD?

edit: oh, and by the way great suggestions
edit2: I'm not exactly sure what he wants in terms of sound. Say I get a Z-5500, would that really appreciate from the sound module the motherboard provides to a dedicated sound card, like auzentech or something?
edit3: I'm going to hold off from deciding on the modular vs non-modular PSU until he picks his case. If it's got good cable management then I'll just go non-modular.
edit4: Also, what AMD PhenomII is a rough equivalent to the i7 920?

MijnWraak

Gonna go with Windows 7 and tell your friend he's gonna have to spend $250 in a year?

Also I think you should stick with 850hx. 7 year warranty + modular = win.

flushentitypacket

Probably gonna go with W7, and then some yo ho ho and a bottle of rum if you catch my drift.

850hx comment duly noted. I think I might have to repost this with a revamped list.

tagurtoast

also don g with those hdds just go with (if budget allows) 4x 640gb wd caviar black 32mb cache aals 7200rpm (if you cant get 4 just get 2 or 3) and for backup get 2 wd caviar greens 1tb

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Hi