I was looking at http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Chassis...4/vh4001bns.asp
and thought that my Tt mod days were over sort of.
Since I have broadband, and now LCD's are cheap. Isn't it better to make a PC which can just replace your TV and entertainment system and at the same time you do your own work with that PC?
I was thinking sopcast+LCD+desktop casing like that (or better) replace TV, DVD player, astro etc

Now only problem is the expandability of such casings. Ideally tower would be better, but no remote controls. Or should buy external card which comes with remote. Also low number of external ports is a worrying thing.

Need suggestions on how to make efficient work pc (need to do work most of the time)+home theater (when not doing work)+game capable(sometimes) alternatives. Also hardware and software suggestions that you have used to make yours work.
Thanks

some findings and info i've gathered for htpc. hope the info helps people out there decide what to buy for their htpc.

i had 3 main questions,

1. a htpc or a dvico tvix 4100?

2. a clone htpc or dell studio hybrid?

3. if DIY which intel chip to buy?


Question 1,
dvico tvix 4100 - rm1400 i think...
htpc - 1k till 3k (for dell's)

since the price for a clone htpc DIY can be cheaper than the tvix 4100 i decide to go for a htpc.
htpc can do much much more! FIY the intel DG45FC motherboard with g45 chipset using x4500hd graphic chip can decode + accelerate all HD content with its own hardware. no need to use the main CPU.

Question 2,
dell studio hybrid, rm2900.
uses intel x3100 graphic chip dan gm945 chipset motherboard which is meant for a notebook.

DIY clone i can buy the intel DG45FC motherboard with build-in latest intel x4500HD media graphic chip.

below the difference between g945 chipset and g45 chipset
http://compare.intel.com/pcc/showchart.asp...0&culture=en-US

read the glaring difference between x3100(dell) and x4500hd(dg45fc mobo) below,
http://softwarecommunity.intel.com/articles/eng/1488.htm

in the end though the dell studio hybrid looks nice.... but it simply uses outdated technology.
i decide to DIY my own HTPC.

Question 3,
which intel cpu to buy... 2 major candidates, intel e7200(rm390) and intel e5200(rm280).
both very simililar cpus.
i want to reduce power, so less fan, less noisy, less hot.

e7200-3mb cache vs e5200-2mb cache. a lot of reports states the difference is minimal due to cache size.
e7200-1066mhz vs e5200-800mhz bus speed, some reports say 800mhz bus causes less strain to the motherboard and save power.
e7200-2.53Ghz vs e5200-2.5GHz - minimal difference since all decoding is done on the graphic chip.
both are 45nm architecture. less hot.

some report say that e7200 is a lower grade die, the high grades ones will be rated as e7300. that is why its best to avoid the e7200.
e5200 is unique since the has 2mb cache...

in the end i bought the e5200.

so to share with everyone the components of my htpc, all bought in All-IT hypermarket level 3 lowyat.

1. intel e5200 cpu - rm280
2. intel DG45FC motherboard - rm445
3. corsair 1Gb x 2 (pair) DDR2 800MHz 5-5-5-18 - rm145
3. asus sata dvdrw drive - rm79
4. MI-100 mini itx case with 300W psu - rm160

total rm1109.

i am using a extra 300Gb sata hdd that i already have. also a usb wifi dongle that i have extra.
currently i am using an old microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse, but i might just buy the cool looking logitech dinovo mini keyboard that cost rm499 now.

it now sit very pretty besides my home theater (connected via digital optical cable from this htpc) and connected to my plasma tv (via hdmi) and oh yeah, don't forget the ugly astro box :-)

This post has been edited by adamismadi: Sep 16 2008, 02:55 PM

DG45FC @ RM445?

y didnt u get the Gigabyte GA-EG45M-DS2H instead? its about 490 and also m-atx...

or were u specifically looking for a mini-itx board?


anyway...does anyone know how much the Asus P5Q-EM costs?


This post has been edited by mADmAN: Sep 16 2008, 02:51 PM

i specifically wanted the dg45fc since it is mini itx... since the mini itx case is tiny and does not look too much like a PC.
most people would not think it is big enuf to be a pc! kekekkee....
the MI-100 mini itx case also is so nice since it hides the dvdrw drive behind the flap.

i love it. :-)

---

Added on September 17, 2008, 2:28 pmwoo hoo! yippy!!!
just bought a logitech dinovo mini for my new htpc!!!

RM420 only in lowyat!



This post has been edited by adamismadi: Sep 17 2008, 02:29 PM

some findings and info i've gathered for htpc. hope the info helps people out there decide what to buy for their htpc.

i had 3 main questions,

1. a htpc or a dvico tvix 4100?

2. a clone htpc or dell studio hybrid?

3. if DIY which intel chip to buy?


Question 1,
dvico tvix 4100 - rm1400 i think...
htpc - 1k till 3k (for dell's)

since the price for a clone htpc DIY can be cheaper than the tvix 4100 i decide to go for a htpc.
htpc can do much much more! FIY the intel DG45FC motherboard with g45 chipset using x4500hd graphic chip can decode + accelerate all HD content with its own hardware. no need to use the main CPU.

Question 2,
dell studio hybrid, rm2900.
uses intel x3100 graphic chip dan gm945 chipset motherboard which is meant for a notebook.

DIY clone i can buy the intel DG45FC motherboard with build-in latest intel x4500HD media graphic chip.

below the difference between g945 chipset and g45 chipset
http://compare.intel.com/pcc/showchart.asp...0&culture=en-US

read the glaring difference between x3100(dell) and x4500hd(dg45fc mobo) below,
http://softwarecommunity.intel.com/articles/eng/1488.htm

in the end though the dell studio hybrid looks nice.... but it simply uses outdated technology.
i decide to DIY my own HTPC.

Question 3,
which intel cpu to buy... 2 major candidates, intel e7200(rm390) and intel e5200(rm280).
both very simililar cpus.
i want to reduce power, so less fan, less noisy, less hot.

e7200-3mb cache vs e5200-2mb cache. a lot of reports states the difference is minimal due to cache size.
e7200-1066mhz vs e5200-800mhz bus speed, some reports say 800mhz bus causes less strain to the motherboard and save power.
e7200-2.53Ghz vs e5200-2.5GHz - minimal difference since all decoding is done on the graphic chip.
both are 45nm architecture. less hot.

some report say that e7200 is a lower grade die, the high grades ones will be rated as e7300. that is why its best to avoid the e7200.
e5200 is unique since the has 2mb cache...

in the end i bought the e5200.

so to share with everyone the components of my htpc, all bought in All-IT hypermarket level 3 lowyat.

1. intel e5200 cpu - rm280
2. intel DG45FC motherboard - rm445
3. corsair 1Gb x 2 (pair) DDR2 800MHz 5-5-5-18 - rm145
3. asus sata dvdrw drive - rm79
4. MI-100 mini itx case with 300W psu - rm160

total rm1109.

i am using a extra 300Gb sata hdd that i already have. also a usb wifi dongle that i have extra.
currently i am using an old microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse, but i might just buy the cool looking logitech dinovo mini keyboard that cost rm499 now.

it now sit very pretty besides my home theater (connected via digital optical cable from this htpc) and connected to my plasma tv (via hdmi) and oh yeah, don't forget the ugly astro box :-)

If got some extra moolah, should next time upgrade to e8400 and above - using 45nm technology, with lower power requirement, thus heat dissipation.
At least heat (and power) was my consideration as my HPTC was also functioning as 'server', i.e almost never sleep.

Anyways, congrats on your purchase! Time to upgrade

---

Added on September 16, 2008, 3:38 pmI built my HTPC to function as AV and (download) Server. With that, I first started to look for CPUs with lower power consumption (thus heat), and casing which is pleasant to the eyes (=black) and enough space for ventilation and expansion.
Ended up with Intel8400, 2Gb Corsair, XFX Alpha Dog Graphics, CoolerMaster Centurion casing, Pinnacle capture card which comes with WindowsMediaCentre remote and suitable motherboard with enough USB ports with Digital output for sound.
For software, Vista Home does the work. All others are mainly open source.
Performance? Good enough to concurrently download and watch movies without jitters.
Can also play Crysis without freezes.

The casing u show looks good. But depending on your usage, consider the cooling factor for your HTPC.
If you plan to play games like Crysis, then be careful, as the PC will become super hot!! (Hotter that my SR-875!!)


This post has been edited by AstroCreep: Sep 16 2008, 03:38 PM

IMHO, for a downloading server nothing beat an atom machine... very very low power. and cheap too!
you can build one for about rm500-1k+ depending on your hdd size! mini-itx form factor very tiny. :-)

This post has been edited by adamismadi: Sep 16 2008, 03:55 PM

Can use word, excel, endnote browser etc right? I want it to function as a workstation 1st, and htpc second, not other way around. Cooling will not be a problem since at highest temperature is 25C, most of the time temperature is <20C.

Well... time to upgrade my specs, for all Lyn as a reference
I have a Full HD 40" LCD TV which abble to play back at 1920x1080p(60hz)

1) AMD 64x2 4800+ (2.6ghz no oc) with stock HSF
2) ASUS 690G HDMI Board
3) 2 x 1 GB Kingston 800
4) 40GB HDD
5) Icute PSU 480Watt

Well, since the first day i bought my LCD TV, my current Sff rig can't coupe to play 720p movie (mkv, ts, avi), the movie screen will be juttering, lagging seriously on 1080p playback, so i think is time to change for a better specs, anybody can help on my specs?

Add an additional GC will it improve playback????

btw, i wanna buy a TV Card, can anybody suggest?? Currently aiming WinTV HVR 1300 MCE Kit combo

This post has been edited by rsangel: Sep 17 2008, 01:39 AM

... of course.

u already got LCD TV. may i know the purpose u need tv card is ? record astro?

Well, my location at JB, so i wish to add a TV card which have analog / dvb-tuner to received sigapore HD 5 channel
got recommendation on TV card?

oic...if you need both DVB-T or analogue TV. then u might need to look for Hybrid Video Card but not normal standard analog card. example: WinTV-HVR 900 Hybrid TV Stick
or else you may browse more other hybrid tv card in pci version.

gentlemen (and ladies if theres any)

whats a good player to play HD files?? both 720 and 1080p?

my current favourite player is BS Player. is it good enough for HD content?

or do i need a different player for HD content?

---

Added on September 19, 2008, 6:09 pmoh yeah....

hope others can comment on my future HTPC/torrent rig setup as well...wan to play HD content as well as save powah...

E5200
Asus P5Q-EM
2GBx1 DDR2-800 RAM
SATA DVDRW
FSP SAGA 400w
WD500GB Green Power HDD.


rig will be on 24/7 for torrenting

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Sep 19 2008, 06:09 PM

@adamismadi
tested with any 720p or 1080p files yet???

hows the playback with the system??

im thinking of getting a similar system with urs.....

hope others can comment on my future HTPC/torrent rig setup as well...wan to play HD content as well as save powah...

E5200
Asus P5Q-EM
2GBx1 DDR2-800 RAM
SATA DVDRW
FSP SAGA 400w
WD500GB Green Power HDD.

---

Added on September 19, 2008, 6:18 pmalso....

whats a good player to play HD files?? both 720 and 1080p?

my current favourite player is BS Player. is it good enough for HD content?

or do i need a different player for HD content?

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Sep 19 2008, 06:18 PM

I'm using PowerDVD 8.01730.50 or K-Lite Media Player Classic
My rig also 24/7 for torrenting...

@djlah
wats ur rig specs man?

my spec can click on previous post here.
I also named it blue rig

Hey, i noticed my almost 5 yrs old pc jutters when it plays HD mkv files.

think my pc specs is lower than yours.

P4...dont even remember the speed
2x1GB DDR 400 RAM (maxed out)
Ati 128MB vga card
2x320GB IDE HDD

tried many things...and guess what solved the juttering?

I just need to close the blardy firefox browser....and everything is fine.

dont ask me why...i have no idea.

Unless your computer casing is small, avoid mATX motherboard at all cost. I have had lotsa lotsa problem with mATX motherboard, from PCI slot->IDE controller->IRQ thingy->not enough PCI slot for E-MU 1212M ->bla3