Thanks for the information Steve.

I think it will be x3 core then. Somthing different and in the middle. I have a quad why not try somthing different.

On the graphics note , found a cheap 5570 for the price of a 5450. It has native HDMI and is a powerful card. Much more than is needed but if it can be had for the same price i might as well do it..... They run reasonably cool as you know.

This one : http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_hd5570_1gb/

That looks like it will fit the bill nicely

smduff wrote:That looks like it will fit the bill nicely

Indeed it does. :hahapirate:

So much that it has been bought. The best bit here ?? £50 Brand new :WTF: Won in another competition and not needed. Great for me.

Graphics for the HTPC now Accomplished. :D

Just CPU though seriously leaning towards the x3 series.

Wow this is going so well to date :clapjoy:

nice score M8 looks like it is all coming together

DX 11 looks like a good choice!

WOW, it has only been 2 weeks and you are almost there. Good show M8.

Hi Craig, for the CPU I would suggest as powerfull as possible for your budget... The reason i say this is because in time you never know what you may want to use the machine for? Yes at the moment it will be a dedicated HTPC but who is to say that you won't decide to use it for other purposes. Might be nice to get all your copy software installed on it so it is off the main rig. keep copying and all authoring work on the one HTPC???

Just a thought.

That is a good point 4hams :D

Something to think about for sure.

The thing is , with a good base motherboard and graphics the CPU is the easy option here. The memory is good but rather low by todays standards.

I am looking towards the x3 range for the best of both worlds feel. But after seeing this little beauty http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-260-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803 I am rather tempted. A new Dual core @ 2.8 should be enough. But your point is important and i feel that down the road its not going to be just a HTPC , it will be another system for the kids or the missus.

So options are now :

Go with X2 240 @ 2.8ghz dual core for the cheapest option :D Can buy next week.

Go with the mid ranged option x3 for about £20 more and buy it hopefully next month if all works out ? Dont quote me on this

Stick it out and look for the best available. Ideally a quad core processor x630 but will have to wait a little longer.


Although coming together I still will be needing a Hard-drive of at least 1TB , A Blueray drive , Also might be checking out other PSU's as the one i have works but its very low quality , reasonably old and 650w so loudish too. :( Might be able to pick something up like a 400w ultra quiet with a brand name ? Or should i just used the one i have. ?

McT

Use the PSU that ya have till it dies and spend the money on the CPU...

It would suit me to just get it up and running with the current. Then it can always be replaced if anything seems wrong i guess.

I can get the X3 435 @ 2.9ghz Retail brand new for £58 delivered. I think its the best buy here , I really do guys.
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/aii_435/

I agree get it going then go from there but I wouldn't get a new PSU just yet either, I would save and upgrade the mobo first personally.

Steve I have only just got this board mate ? I needed something light and with good compatibility. It supported AM3 as well on a low scale and that is enough for any decent HTPC/SSF i think. The main reason i bought it.

The things i have that will be used are :

Motherboard , Graphics card , Memory & Case.

The rest is up for discussion.

I know but you really need to through more ram into it, in my opinion it makes a huge difference in performance. But for now at least you will be up and running and that is the main thing, once you get a feel for what the machine will and won't do you will know what needs to be upgraded next.

I must agree with that Steve.

I always felt 4GB memory was the way to go with any system from DDR onwards. Though this needs more in reality due to the standard use it will get from when its made , I probably wait for a little while longer before upgrading that part. But agreed 2GB is not enough for a nice all round system :( Especially when it gets to the point of being used as another system. Though as a HTPC it will manage.

Latest update: :Shout:

I now have a vast majority of the main components needed to complete this decent little HTPC / Back up system build.

Though as other things have now caused problems ( TV ) I am now needing to concentrate on that prior to completing this. But at least the main things are here.

A full rundown of the build so far :

CASE - Silverstone Sugo SG02 = http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=798105&source=froogle

Motherboard -MA74G-S2 = http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2813

Memory - OCZ OCZ2SOE8002GK 2GB Kit DDR2 PC2-6400 = http://computers.zipzoomfly.com/oczocz2soe8002gk2gbkitddr2pc26400ddr2800specialopseditionmemoryretail/index.html

Graphics Card = http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_hd5570_1gb/


I have a Qtec 650w power supply to run it , though it will do the job i cant help but dread it causing problems. I feel this should be replaced also for a high quality silent 450w or something. ? but the Qtec will get it up and running.

I have some old Hard drives that i can use, a 250GB WD but its worn and old. I would much rather wait and buy 1.5TB samsung Ecogreen drive.

Then its OS. I have a linux i could try as it would run well. I am hoping to be using Win7 in the near future so might migrate this Vista 64 to the HTPC , problem being Vista is just to greedy and bulky. Win7 for that would be great but dont see myself buying it twice.

Looks like it is all coming together for ya Craig. Sorry to here about the tv, hope ya can get that sorted out soon.

The build looks good but if it is going to be an HTPC should it not be a full media center type system meaning that a good TV tuner card is in order? That way ya will have movies and tv all at your control with one unit and 1 remote.

That is a good point and i do agree. But in our scenario I dont feel we need it mate. ! !

We have a full HD box in both rooms in the main and on the i7 puter / TV. I watch it via the box with a simple change of channel now. I can record onto it and i can watch HD channels in both rooms.
As this currently will not have a immediate placed home or designated room i probably wont be doing it.

Its a bit of everything really. A SSF puter with some grunt , Capable of producing 1080P quality but also just my enthusiast side of building too.

Another reason for this is for future builds i would like to do , I have a good little backup system. I can then take my time sell off the old main setup and buy the best at the time. Due to down time and funds i have rushed many previous builds in the past and got components that are good but not to my liking and i spend money later correcting that error later along the line. It will be a handy little rig to have around for sure.

McT

Craig, have you thought about using a SSD for the OS for faster startup?

Hey Craig I found this today but I am not sure if you can order from newegg.com being in the UK?

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK

I know you already have ram but this may be worth it and then you can sell the ram you have?

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I like the idea of SSD Bob , great additions to any system but if i were to go this route then it would be in the main system as id use it for everything OS and encoding / Transcoding.

A simple cool and silent 1TB drive will do the trick for this. I am considering using one of my current units for now. I have 3 internals in this main system and i can easily manage with two and migrate the 1TB WD Green over to the HTPC. Just transferring over files and i will remove this later. :D

@4hams , - 4GB would do it proud. Just do not have the funds to go out and spend extra on things i've technically already bought. :( 2GB is going to have to do for the foreseeable future.
If i use either XP or Win7 it shoud be snappy enough. Vista would kill it. This is only for basic blue ray playback and a backup machine. Things can always be added at a later date. But the basics is to cover the base and see how we go from there. Thanks for the links though. Wished there would some deals like that over here.

Well ,,, things on this front have slowed a little. For reasons your all aware.

But to shave some time i have removed my WD Green 1TB drive to use in it. I still have 2.5TB internal in the main system and that is enough for me.

Just saving the final pennies to buy a new basic silent PSU. The one i had was tested and its hardly pumping anything consistent out. Probably the reason it was having strange restarts on my parents system before removing. Did not want to chance anything so going to grab a cheap Storm 700W dual rail psu. Really good cheap little supply's. Going to need to MX-3 paste as well as im going to be reinstalling this new x3 435 cpu and im going to be puting in the Asus Deluxe into my i7 rig at the same time. Hopefully with Win7 as well.

So all this working has been good for something :D

Keep ya all posted.

McT

What OS do you all recommend for this ?

I am leaning towards XP as it might be free as i think i have an old retail key somewhere.

Or should i wait and look to go windows 7 for this as well.

What are the advantages of either. ?

Thanks

McT

vista or w7 simply for bd support

smduff wrote:vista or w7 simply for bd support

Interesting dude

I still have my old Vista 64 key OEM to use. Wonder if it will activate ? LOL !!!

McT

It should