HTPC Overhaul
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:26 am
Hey gerbils!
Since I scratched a project off the Honey Do List this past weekend, I'm turning my attention to upgrading the HTPC. This has been a long time in coming. Let's just say that it will be nice to have a motherboard that takes DDR3. But I could use some advice on some of the components.
The requirements:
I plan on carrying over some pieces into the new system. The Blu-Ray drive, SSD, 2TB media drive, HD7770 GPU, keyboard/mouse combo and IR receiver will make the move. I have 8 GB of spare memory that will be inserted into the new motherboard. I'll keep using Win7 and the Media Center, which has worked quite well so far. So that stuff is all settled (unless you see something obviously wrong. )
What I really need is advice on a case, motherboard, processor, power supply and capture card. Plus possibly a sound card if it will get me more noises in my head (just like high school!)
So far, I'm leaning towards: Silverstone GD05B, NMediaPC 6000B and sort of a Dark Horse option, the DIYPC HTPC-KT28B.
Capture card seems to be fulfilled by a Hauppage WinTV 2250 Dual Tuner. But I would be interested in alternatives.
It sounds like I want a microATX motherboard with an Intel i5. Preferably a motherboard with lots of onboard configurable fan headers. Other than that, I'm at a loss as to which brand, what features and what model of processor is a good buy. I'm also unsure as to whether a discrete audio card would give me any appreciable benefit. Any suggestions?
Since I scratched a project off the Honey Do List this past weekend, I'm turning my attention to upgrading the HTPC. This has been a long time in coming. Let's just say that it will be nice to have a motherboard that takes DDR3. But I could use some advice on some of the components.
The requirements:
- Will be used for light gaming with XBOX style controller with Steam Big Picture mode. Resolution is fixed at 1920x1080.
- Some games will give the GPU a workout - Assassin's Creed, Arkham City, Saints Row, etc. It's not all Shank.
- TV content will be via unencrypted cable system via coax plus OTA HDTV signals via roof-mount antenna. No cable cards.
- I have wired Ethernet, so no wireless required.
- Will be located in a well-ventilated spot of the room, not in an enclosed cabinet.
- Box is 13' feet away from listening position and I throw a lot of wattage into my sound, so dead silent is not a requirement
- Audio currently goes to a 5.1 receiver via HDMI, but I don't think I get surround sound during gaming via this method
I plan on carrying over some pieces into the new system. The Blu-Ray drive, SSD, 2TB media drive, HD7770 GPU, keyboard/mouse combo and IR receiver will make the move. I have 8 GB of spare memory that will be inserted into the new motherboard. I'll keep using Win7 and the Media Center, which has worked quite well so far. So that stuff is all settled (unless you see something obviously wrong. )
What I really need is advice on a case, motherboard, processor, power supply and capture card. Plus possibly a sound card if it will get me more noises in my head (just like high school!)
So far, I'm leaning towards: Silverstone GD05B, NMediaPC 6000B and sort of a Dark Horse option, the DIYPC HTPC-KT28B.
Capture card seems to be fulfilled by a Hauppage WinTV 2250 Dual Tuner. But I would be interested in alternatives.
It sounds like I want a microATX motherboard with an Intel i5. Preferably a motherboard with lots of onboard configurable fan headers. Other than that, I'm at a loss as to which brand, what features and what model of processor is a good buy. I'm also unsure as to whether a discrete audio card would give me any appreciable benefit. Any suggestions?