HTPC HTPC Build advice

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by warrmr, 16 Aug 2012.

  1. warrmr

    warrmr What's a Dremel?

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    Howdy guys,

    I have been inspired by this guy and have decided to undertake a similar HTPC build myself.

    The only criteria I have is that it must be as cheap as possible and do the job, I already have some of the components that are needed to do the job but im unsure about a GFX card and PSU.

    What I have,
    ECS mcp61m-m3 motherboard with onboard graphics (VGA out only)
    AMD Sempron 145,
    1GB ddr3 ram
    Assorted HDDs, Will probably buy a SSD eventually but at the mo it will be a 5400 laptop drive.

    What I think I need to purchase
    DVB-S2 freesat HD tuner card dual input
    NVidia Graphics card (GeForce 8 series) Anything aslong as it does HDMI and supports Hardware acceleration of Myth TV/XBMC
    PCI-E x16 remote riser card
    PCI-E Riser card
    PSU ?

    I already have a 400watt PSU that I could use and im pretty sure that it will be more than powerful enough but as I am doing a "Copycat" mod the PSU will not fit in the Sky box with the case. I was looking at a Pico PSU like dynamis_dk used but according to the Termaltake PSU calculator I need over 200watts and I cannot find a 250 watt Pico PSU.

    What can I do to reduce the need for a higher power PSU or should I be looking to see if a 1U server PSU will fit in the sky box along with the rest of the hardware.
     
    Last edited: 16 Aug 2012
  2. warrmr

    warrmr What's a Dremel?

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    Well I have been doing some thinking and have decided rather than going and getting an add in graphics card just so that I can use HDMI, I have manage to find a motherboard that will take my existing Processor and RAM that has a HDMI port available to it.

    The Asrock 880GMH/USB3 looks to be a good choice and is cheaper than a new graphics card. With that in place It looks like I could get away with a 160watt or 200watt PSU

    Cheers for your help guys,.
     
  3. okenobi

    okenobi What's a Dremel?

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    The TV card you need is the Black Gold 3600. It has twin DVB-S2s AND DVB-T2s.

    What case(s) are you looking at?
     
  4. warrmr

    warrmr What's a Dremel?

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    I was looking into making a copycat mod to that linked in my first post using a white sky+ box that I have laying around. But I am now thinking it might be a little ambitious so might end up buying a small htpc case.

    That tuner looks awesome but outside of my budget, I have been looking at the BGT3595 as they seem to be going for around £60.
     
  5. Greentrident

    Greentrident Minimodder

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    The silverstone milo case(from Scan) looks like the most economical htpc case that looks like "hi-fi" kit. I've got a htpc setup in an standard micro-atx case and standard geenric ATX PSU fitted but that's the weak link since its the only audible component at present.
    I have a blu-ray drive and it's connect to the surround sound via optical out but I don't use a TV tuner card- most TV I watch is on netflix, lovefilm or iPlayer!
     
  6. Sheiken

    Sheiken Wat?

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    I have recently bought the Milo 03 case, and it is great for the price!
     
  7. warrmr

    warrmr What's a Dremel?

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    @Greentrident and @Sheiken how big is the Milo ML03 case as looking at the picture it looks to be quite large as it takes a full sized PSU. How would it compare in size to say an xbox or a DVD player.


    Also the good price that I saw on Amazon for the Asrock 880GMH/USB3 is no longer avalable and I have just found out that it is a discontinued board.

    Any other recommendations for a motherboard with HDMI out.
     

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