Building a Media PC for Dad's Christmas Present

[Cloud_9ine]

So the title basically says it my dad has a shit old computer that he complains about and I've decided to get him an upgrade. I'm covered for ram (was able to snatch a cheap 8 GB off of newegg) and HDD (a 2 TB 5400 RPM and I'm looking for a fast but quiet non SSD system drive) but I am curious what the best options for CPU/GPU/APU is for a media PC. He is basically going to run it to his monitor and his TV to watch HD movies and stuffs so 2 output minimum with DVI or HDMI on each (his monitor takes D-SUB but we have converters).

So the CPU/GPU/APU setup needs to be:
-Relatively fast
-Ideal for high resolution video.
-Quiet as possible. (Preferably heat-sink only GPU)
-Doesn't break the bank. (By total budget is only a couple hundred dollars here)

Any suggestions would be golden.

[HeK]

What do you want it to do besides play media? Cause if that's all you want to do, you are best off buying a Boxee.

If you are dead set on building it yourself, first plan out your software route, as that effects your hardware choices.

You can go XBMC under ubuntu and run an Atom core micro-ATX board and the cheapest CUDA-compatible nvidia videocard and decode 1080P videos with <6% cpu usage.

[Cloud_9ine]

What do you want it to do besides play media? Cause if that's all you want to do, you are best off buying a Boxee.

If you are dead set on building it yourself, first plan out your software route, as that effects your hardware choices.

You can go XBMC under ubuntu and run an Atom core micro-ATX board and the cheapest CUDA-compatible nvidia videocard and decode 1080P videos with <6% cpu usage.

He's gonna probably want to stay as Microsoft as possible with it since it would double as his main machine so he would do a majority of his work with it but also use it to view his downloaded content on. That said, Boxee software for it looks really desirable in addition to it.

Edit: So his software would generally be:

Chrome
Boxee (Or straight up XBMC if I can config it well)
uTorrent
MPC
An Office Bundle

And that is most of his computing there that will be expected.

So basically I'm seeing a cheap CUDA as an option for GPU.

[Cloud_9ine]

Alright, so I'm seeing a nice passive GPU, storage and stuff is good now. RAM is settled. DVD will be easy.

So I'm down to Case, PSU, Mobo, and CPU.

I'm considering a nice HTPC Case since he can use it as set-top if he wants and a lot of those cases come with decent 300W PSUs.

But if I do this then it will likely require a micro-ATX. On top of this, I don't want to limit him CPU-wise, so I'm figuring low-mid teir quad core.

Is this an alright pathway for a half-desktop/half-HTPC?

[HeK]

I know XBMC under linux very well, but not how it behaves under windows.
I don't even know if it supports cuda in windows.

Perhaps At0m can chime in, I know he has a windows based media pc.

[Cloud_9ine]

I know XBMC under linux very well, but not how it behaves under windows.
I don't even know if it supports cuda in windows.

Perhaps At0m can chime in, I know he has a windows based media pc.

Regardless, even if I can't get godly level of CUDA offloading, I'm sure PureVideo can offload enough to make a major difference.

Also note, in my double post I posted current progress on looking for components.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySav...D=22453967

[Didzo]

You'll need to make a public wishlist if you want us to see it.

[Cloud_9ine]

You'll need to make a public wishlist if you want us to see it.

Yea for some reason it wont go into the public listing.

[at0m]

If its an HTPC, he _DOES NOT_ need a quad-core. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard.

I built a small nVIDIA ION box (which is a dual-core atom cpu + pipelined graphics), runs Windows 7 with absolutely no problems. Plays HD video just fine, but chokes on Bluray playback, but that's probably because of the decryption overhead. Haven't been able to find a hardware decoder card that'll fit in a uATX case. I can work up a copy of it on NewEgg if you want, it wasn't super pricey, but my biggest gripe is the replacement case I got at the local computer show only has 1 HDD bay, so I have to have an external HDD sitting next to it at all times (haven't turned my old HTPC into a router/NAS yet).

I've tried using XBMC under windows, it was kind of a PITA. So was Windows Media Center. Ironically, the reason I stopped using both is because I couldn't get my IR remote and media management to work right, but after I changed cases I don't even have an IR receiver any more. Just use a bluetooth mouse and media keyboard (Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000), which is pretty boss because the keyboard has a small touchpad and mouse emulation for when I'm too lazy to get the mouse off the charger. I don't need a media manager since I have my own anal system of organizing things, so I just blew up all the desktop icons and changed the DPI on my install so that the normal windows interface works fine on my HDTV as a 10ft interface, and use that. Less learning/scripting on my part, which is a huge plus in my book.

Also, uTorrent auto-downloading HDTV torrents, but thats a tutorial for another thread.

[Cloud_9ine]

Does your, build also work well for general computing and such? (basically already listed in my previous posts)

If so, I would greatly appreciate a comparable copy on Newegg.

Why was XBMC such a pita for you other than remote work? Was media management a hassle?

[at0m]

Define general computing.

Browsing the internet and such? Yeah it serves just fine, its not sluggish at all. That's what I use it for when I'm not watching movies. It stays on all the time, running uTorrent looking for new stuff to download. I don't game on it, but who would on an Atom?

Parts list is so simple, I'll just paste it. Its just a Motherboard & RAM, plus a mini-ITX case of your choice. I've got a noname one I picked up for $30 from the local computer show, I'm sure you can find something similar. HDD is a 1TB Caviar Black I had leftover from my old build. I went with that particular version of the ION board because it had HDMI, DVI, and standard power headers. The one with built-in wireless has an external PSU so you can use an even smaller case, but I already had a case in mind so I didn't go for that one.

ASUS AT3IONT-I mobo/cpu/gpu combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131653
OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227582
Cost with shipping when I bought it last year was <$200 for those two. Could go even less if you get shittier RAM. Plus a HDD for $50 (or leftover), and a case/psu for $50, you've got a pretty solid box for not much more than a Boxee.

[edit] Looks like the version of the board I bought isn't available, so the one with wireless is your only option. It comes with a remote, IR receiver, and bluetooth module as well as a 802.11n and a power brick, though, so you can get an even cheaper case and fewer peripherals. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...Tpk=at3ion $130 after rebate is a steal for all of that, considering it's running a 1.6GHz Atom 330 (dual-core 64-bit CPU) and an integrated GeForce 9400M G GPU[/edit]

[Cloud_9ine]

So basically that there, I can find some decent 8 GB RAM for, like 35 bucks. What is your luck with HTPC cases that come with the 275W PSU, good/clean enough for these purposes?

[Didzo]

So basically that there, I can find some decent 8 GB RAM for, like 35 bucks.

The one Atom posted only supports up to 4GB, which should be plenty anyway.

[at0m]

So basically that there, I can find some decent 8 GB RAM for, like 35 bucks. What is your luck with HTPC cases that come with the 275W PSU, good/clean enough for these purposes?

The board only supports 4GB, which is plenty, and if you grab that last board I linked, you not only do you not need a PSU, you literally cannot use one. The board does not have an ATX power header on it at all. Find a Mini-ITX case with no PSU or be prepared to never plug anything into it.

[Cloud_9ine]

Say what? So how does power work on this mofo/wouldn't I still need a PSU for the HDDs?

Edit, okay I see now, just uses the powercord there and the HDD is powered by that MOLEX, that is actually pure sex.

Would you just suggests a 1 TB 7200 then for HDD? Also, a single 4GB stick or dual channel? (slightly more money)

[at0m]

Yeah, it breaks the power back out from the mobo out to the drives with a little pigtail. Brilliant plan for HTPCs to keep the case size down.

I'd go for a 2TB if you can snag one for cheap, but 1TB should be fine. I usually use WD Caviar Greens because they're cheaper and I don't see much of a performance difference but someone with charts is sure to disagree with me. Check the specs on the PSU thinger and find out how many connectors you have and maximum power capability before going out and buying a pile of 7200RPM drives to connect to it. If its an HTPC, a slower drive that draws less power and makes less noise is going to win out over access speed. You also may not be able to power more than a single HDD and an optical drive.

2x2GB Dual-channel. You're maxing out the capacity, which comes from a max per-channel capacity. If you stick a single 4GB stick in there, it just won't work.

Also, I have this exact case, and it works just fine. But I also have the version of the motherboard that requires a PSU. Also, the power LED is so blindingly bright I don't need a nightlight in my living room. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811108196

[Cloud_9ine]

So here is what I got:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131635
RAM (cheapest for the clock I need): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820313119
2 TB HDD for $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6822148681

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811153129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811153128

Basically the same but different front panels.

Totals up to $375 tops with shipping.

[at0m]

Mobo we've beaten to death.

NVM my comments about memory, didn't realize I was suggesting an alternative that was the wrong clockspeed. You should be fine.

Looks like the flooding in Thailand has really fucked HDD prices. Used to be able to get a 2TB Caviar Green for <$150, but what you have looks decent. Brand-name fanboys feel free to disagree, but I've had decent luck with both Seagate and WD in the past, although all of my drives are WD now because they have a better return policy.

Go with whichever case you like more.

Don't forget an optical drive, or installing your OS is going to be tricky. If you have one sitting around, make sure its SATA, or you're going to be severely disappointed when you realize there are no IDE slots on that motherboard.

[Cloud_9ine]

So yea, that name brand RAM and randomass Samsung drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6827151233

[Didzo]

I suggest sticking with WD for the drives, but that's personal preference.

A wireless keyboard and mouse might not be a bad idea too if you don't have them already and want to be able to use the thing from a couch or bed.