8 replies to this topic

[MavAMCC]

Looking to build a new HTPC.

Haven't built for a while so no longer have my finger on the pulse.

Priorities are:

- trouble free operation;
- trouble free sleep & resume from sleep;
- enough power to easily watch/skip through TV recordings while simultaneously recording 2 programmes;
- low noise, low power.

2 alternatives:

Intel Core i3 2100 - $116
Gigabyte GA-Z68M-D2H - $79
G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - $35
Gigabyte GeForce GT430 1GB - $40

Total $270

AMD A8 3870 Quad Core Fusion Black Edition - $129
Gigabyte GA-A75M-D2H - $93
G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - $35

Total $257

The system will be coupled with an HVR-2200 or DNTV Live card.

If there's any M'Board or CPU/RAM combo that's known to be more trouble free than the one's mentioned above, please suggest.

Thanks

Edited by MavAMCC, 28 May 2012 - 04:22 AM.

[WarrenH]

As an Intel user, the above system would be fine. It's a lowing power system and will work with sleep resume. Personally I use Intel main boards as firmware updates are frequent and the bios will update from within windows.

If you have more to spend on budget then up your CPU a notch or two for future proofing.

Edited by WarrenH, 28 May 2012 - 10:33 AM.

[debo]

I have had the AMD A8 and Gigabyte board quoted above since late 2011 - runs beautifully - the AMD will run graphics better, no need for a graphics card - I tried the i3 and could not get a decent picture from the mobo, had to use a card (so that machine is now the office PC!)

If you trawl back on this site you might find more info but I will recommend the A8 path simply for better graphics.

[turbodewd]

+1 on the Intel boards. Gigabyte are overrated, I performed a BIOS update from within Windows using their supplied software - killed Windows utterly. Wish I got an Intel one.

Intel make good shtt. Good SSDs, good CPUs.

Oh and buy yourself a fanless PSU, sure theyre a bit pricey, but 100% silencio!

Im running 2 Digitalnow USB tinytwin tuners - they rock.

check my sig for my system I built a few weeks ago.

Edited by turbodewd, 06 June 2012 - 10:36 PM.

[richie_pag]

+1 regarding the A8 CPU's. I just installed an A8-3870k and it runs great.

On board video is fine. Colours are more vibrant and picture seems better than my old nvidia card.

Richie

Edited by richie_pag, 06 June 2012 - 10:56 PM.

[MavAMCC]

Personally I use Intel main boards as firmware updates are frequent and the bios will update from within windows.
If you have more to spend on budget then up your CPU a notch or two for future proofing.

Which Intel M'Board and CPU are you recommending? Reliability & trouble free operation are the paramount considerations for this particular build.

PS. I don't think there is such a thing as future proofing per se but the person who it's for wants to be able to easily watch/skip through TV recordings while simultaneously recording 2 programmes. Easily being the key word, ie. there will be no game playing but easy movement around WMC7 while recording is happening simultaneously is imperative. Also, a CPU that comes stock with a sink/fan that's quiet would be well regarded.
Thanks

Edited by MavAMCC, 07 June 2012 - 10:47 PM.

[MavAMCC]

I have had the AMD A8 and Gigabyte board quoted above since late 2011 - runs beautifully

Is your HTPC set to sleep/resume regularly?
What type of TV are you running it to and at what res?
Is there ample power to easily watch/skip through TV recordings while simultaneously recording 2 programmes & transfer large files?
Is the stock fan that comes with the AMD A8 3870 Quad Core Fusion Black Edition quiet?
Thanks

[MavAMCC]

+1 regarding the A8 CPU's. I just installed an A8-3870k and it runs great.
On board video is fine. Colours are more vibrant and picture seems better than my old nvidia card.
Richie

Which M'Board did you use?
Which old nvidia card is it better than and to what TV/screen are you running?
Thanks

[debo]

sorry for late reply - answers to Q's above

Is your HTPC set to sleep/resume regularly?
Sleeps and resumes using native OS and works 100%

What type of TV are you running it to and at what res?
Sony Bravia 52" Full HD 1920 X 1080

Is there ample power to easily watch/skip through TV recordings while simultaneously recording 2 programmes & transfer large files?
It can do it all - have 3 teenagers and there are red dots all over the guide and I have the DigitalNow quad tuner - often resume and all four tuners in use - so I need to kill one of their recordings - this PC also acts as a file server to the house and streams audio/video/files to PC's Xbox around house. It works. Hardware these days really make a difference to W7MC.

Is the stock fan that comes with the AMD A8 3870 Quad Core Fusion Black Edition quiet?
quiet enough for me. I would trial it first and buy something after if required.

Thanks

Also I have performed the Gigabyte BIOS updates through Windows 7 safely.