Overclock.net › Forums › Specialty Builds › HTPC › HTPC Advice - First Time Build
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

HTPC Advice - First Time Build

post #1 of 10
6/28/12 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
First post after being a long time lurker, I've decided I wish to build a HTPC but I'm at a loss with hardware. I'll be looking at £200 for internals but would be willing to put more in if required.

I just don't know what I'll need, will a motherboard alone handle all the audio/video requirements? I can either use a small HDD or boot from USB if required but I'd prefer tp have a HDD. I'd also like this HTPC to be as silent as possible.

I am looking for the following:

Video features:
*Playing DVD:
*Playing Blu-Ray & 3D:
*Playing HD-DVD:
*Playing archived video files at up to 1080p:
Audio features:
*Wish to connect it to my Sony BDV E370 home cinema for surround sound

Storage features:
*Read from SD/MMD/Compact Flash etc:

"Computing" features:
*Browse web & send/read e-mail - desired but not required

Gaming features:
*Play "classic" video games - from emulators and ROMs

Network features:
*Hope for built in wifi
*Playing streaming internet video (Hulu, YouTube):
*Play streaming internet/local audio (Pandora):
*Play streaming local compressed video:
*Play streaming local high-def video:

Aesthetic features:
*Low noise levels:
*Low power consumption:

I'm wanting to put it in a mega drive 1 case and the blue ray drive to come out the mega cd tray...

399

Looking to put the HDD inside a cartridge if required - I wwould LOVE this to be a hotswap caddy of some kind but not sure that is possible?

Basically I'm not sure what internals I need... I had looked at this but it has no wifi:
http://directpcsupplies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=58349&zenid=2t7q1enlg2ads7ithlvsersr44

Thanks in advance.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 10
6/28/12 at 2:43pm
The new AMD APU is a great option for an HTPC. Here's an FM1 socket board with built in wifi (mITX board).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500071

They're out of stock at newegg right now, but I'm sure you can find it elsewhere. Pair it with an A4 + RAM and you have a very cost effective HTPC core put together.
Blue One
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i7 950 @4GHz (1.3V) Asus Sabertooth x58 EVGA GTX 570  3x 2GB Patriot Gamer Edition 1600MHz 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
64GB Microcenter SSD LG Multiwriter Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit LG 23.5" 1080p 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
Razer Lycosa Corsair HX850 Corsair 600t Razer Deathadder 
Mouse Pad
Bleh 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
Blue One
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i7 950 @4GHz (1.3V) Asus Sabertooth x58 EVGA GTX 570  3x 2GB Patriot Gamer Edition 1600MHz 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
64GB Microcenter SSD LG Multiwriter Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit LG 23.5" 1080p 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
Razer Lycosa Corsair HX850 Corsair 600t Razer Deathadder 
Mouse Pad
Bleh 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
post #3 of 10
6/28/12 at 2:50pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, it seems I can only get it imported from the US ebay (I should have noted that I'm UK based) however it looks a decent price coupled with say 4gb of RAM.

And I wouldn't need an extra gfx card or anything? Just processor, ram hdd and psu?

I'd love to run it from a power supply external to the case - can they be run straight from socket to mobo or is that a bad idea?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 10
6/28/12 at 10:12pm
What emulators are we talking here?
Misaka
(18 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Intel Core i5-3570K ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Sapphire HD 7850 2 GB Samsung DDR3 16 GB (30 nm) 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Crucial M4 128 GB WD Caviar Blue 1 TB Lite-on DVD Burner Thermalright Venomous X 
OSOSMonitorKeyboard
Windows 7 Professional x64 (Host) Crunchbang Linux x64 (Guest) HP 2311x HP PS/2 Keyboard 
PowerCaseMouseAudio
Rosewill Capstone 450 W Rosewill Challenger Logitech M570 ASUS Xonar D1 
Other
Hauppauge HVR-1250 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
Misaka
(18 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Intel Core i5-3570K ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Sapphire HD 7850 2 GB Samsung DDR3 16 GB (30 nm) 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Crucial M4 128 GB WD Caviar Blue 1 TB Lite-on DVD Burner Thermalright Venomous X 
OSOSMonitorKeyboard
Windows 7 Professional x64 (Host) Crunchbang Linux x64 (Guest) HP 2311x HP PS/2 Keyboard 
PowerCaseMouseAudio
Rosewill Capstone 450 W Rosewill Challenger Logitech M570 ASUS Xonar D1 
Other
Hauppauge HVR-1250 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
post #5 of 10
6/29/12 at 1:41am
Thread Starter 
I'll be using fusion for all things sega and for 64 I'll be using project 64.

I've not really looked at a NES/SNES emulator yet as I'm undecided 100% on whether or not I'll run them on there.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 10
6/30/12 at 8:51am
For emulation. Make sure you have windows installed (this means a HDD even if just a small one) then put XMBC on it. you can set it up with addons to play emulators from inside it. XMBC is also a really great really customizable media center player. just search on lifehacker for information on how to set it all up.

you could (depending on comfort level and how its assembled) use the ON/off and reset of the mega drive for the computer. not sure about volume knob...

now i shall part hunt for you! (more in later post)
first ideas though is that the card reader is going in where the standby lights are on the lower machine or possibly where the controller ports are.
the HDD would look awesome in a cartridge! as for hotswap.... maybe... more thoughts as i look at parts.

what are the dimensions of this setup? i looked it up and guessed around 16" x12" or 40cm x 30cm height im taking a stab and saying 5.5" or 14cm am i right?

:edit: if your going for 3D then you defiantly will need a GPU. could make this a tight build.
:more edits: as long as you dont use the HDD as the main one and its not being written to then you could use it. just make the cartridge shell have a catch so that it holds still and ensures proper seating of the cables.
Edited by kagesama - 6/30/12 at 9:39am
First PC i was proud of...
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsGraphics
Intel Core i5 2400 Z68XP-UD3P Intel HD Graphics 1000 (GT1) Radeon HD 6870 
RAMRAMHard DriveHard Drive
Patriot Memory  Patriot Memory  seagate barracuda WD green  
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSPower
unknown Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner windows 7 64bit ultra vx600w 
Case
cosair 600t 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
First PC i was proud of...
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsGraphics
Intel Core i5 2400 Z68XP-UD3P Intel HD Graphics 1000 (GT1) Radeon HD 6870 
RAMRAMHard DriveHard Drive
Patriot Memory  Patriot Memory  seagate barracuda WD green  
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSPower
unknown Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner windows 7 64bit ultra vx600w 
Case
cosair 600t 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
post #7 of 10
6/30/12 at 9:12am
I'm going to my tried and true site newegg for these parts they should be able to get to you. let me know though if you'd prefer a different site. if you like seeing the link before you click it the full links are in the spoiler


MOBO (assuming it fits) from ASRock a microATX board

with the optical out you can just plug right into your suround sound with 1 cable and keep the digital audio quality.
also the "ON/OFF play technology" allows you to use the computer speakers even if the machine is off if you ever decide to forgo the separate sound system.
takes the latest intel chips and PCI 3.0 so your good for upgrades.

wireless if you really want to go through with that. (just run an ethernet cord under your baseboards if you dont want to see it) Then use this card. it fits. 150 Mbps so on par with other cars and its $20

SD/MMD/Compact Flash use this one its 3.5" so should fit beside your drive. simple hookup. might need some adjustments to mount in the cases.

Video card picked out this ugly sucker im assuming that if your watching 3d movies you have a 3d tv. so did some searching for 3d ready cards and found one. its NOT for hardcore gaming. its will let you watch your movies though. its 80 and a smaller card in terms of size so it should help getting things to fit.

im guessing that with all this stuff your going to want a 300-400W PSU putting it outside of the box would be odd... juse because then youd have alot of cables to run and a seperate thing to move around.
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157301
wireless card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704059
flash reader http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820816004
GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127606

Edited by kagesama - 6/30/12 at 10:02am
First PC i was proud of...
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsGraphics
Intel Core i5 2400 Z68XP-UD3P Intel HD Graphics 1000 (GT1) Radeon HD 6870 
RAMRAMHard DriveHard Drive
Patriot Memory  Patriot Memory  seagate barracuda WD green  
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSPower
unknown Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner windows 7 64bit ultra vx600w 
Case
cosair 600t 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
First PC i was proud of...
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsGraphics
Intel Core i5 2400 Z68XP-UD3P Intel HD Graphics 1000 (GT1) Radeon HD 6870 
RAMRAMHard DriveHard Drive
Patriot Memory  Patriot Memory  seagate barracuda WD green  
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSPower
unknown Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner windows 7 64bit ultra vx600w 
Case
cosair 600t 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
post #8 of 10
6/30/12 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the assistance sir, those parts look great.

I wouldn't be doing any hardcore gaming on it at all. I *might* run baldurs gate on it but chances would be slim.

The XMBC sounds ideal, I'll have a play about with that and see what I can come up with.

I'm not at home to measure but dimensions from the website are:
SegaCD
Dimensions (WHD): 301mm x 212.5mm x 112.5mm (r1),

Sega Genesis 1 Dimensions: 11 x 2.2 x 8 inches 

So your dimensions are about right.

In terms of PSU, is there not a way of just hooking it right in to a socket from the mobo? Was curious if not a little worried a PSU might not fit in and may require a load of cutting out of the back for cooling. I'll look in to the hot swap idea, would be pretty sweet but not really required. I'll stick a small slim HDD in a cartridge for the roms and emulators and probably some content but not much.

Trying to have it looking as OEM as possible when it is glanced.

I'm quite happy to use newegg as they come recommended so I'll have a chat to them about shipping over here.

In fairness I'm thinking 3D isn't required but was desirable, the build may be too tight with it and may run too hot.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 10
6/30/12 at 11:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpoonySW View Post

In terms of PSU, is there not a way of just hooking it right in to a socket from the mobo? Was curious if not a little worried a PSU might not fit in and may require a load of cutting out of the back for cooling.

there really isnt a safe way to go from outlet to motherboard. the PSU has the resisters and safety features and all the good stuff that makes sure your electronics dont release the 'magic blue smoke' that makes them work.

id go with this power supply its more rectangular instead of square it could help in the build. it has only a few hookups but your not going with a ton of parts so youll be ok. this would be strong enought if you passed on the graphics card keep the graphics and you might have to go higher. it only has a 4pin CPU power plug but you could get an adapter. and you could put a nice simple i3 CPU in your MoBo and still run the 1080p
First PC i was proud of...
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsGraphics
Intel Core i5 2400 Z68XP-UD3P Intel HD Graphics 1000 (GT1) Radeon HD 6870 
RAMRAMHard DriveHard Drive
Patriot Memory  Patriot Memory  seagate barracuda WD green  
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSPower
unknown Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner windows 7 64bit ultra vx600w 
Case
cosair 600t 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
First PC i was proud of...
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsGraphics
Intel Core i5 2400 Z68XP-UD3P Intel HD Graphics 1000 (GT1) Radeon HD 6870 
RAMRAMHard DriveHard Drive
Patriot Memory  Patriot Memory  seagate barracuda WD green  
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSPower
unknown Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner windows 7 64bit ultra vx600w 
Case
cosair 600t 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
post #10 of 10
7/5/12 at 8:00am
Thread Starter 
Got the mega drive casing in today, stripped out a faulty mega drive. Hopefully mega cd arrives tomorrow and I can them order the bits when I know they will fit for sure.

I just installed xbmc on my laptop and I've had a play around with it, why haven't I had this in my life before!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: HTPC
Overclock.net › Forums › Specialty Builds › HTPC › HTPC Advice - First Time Build