Hi Guys, this is my first post and already I'm on the cadge - looking for advice.
I am sick of seeing my lad rig up his laptop to his audio amp in his lounge and access wireless broadband for Spotify and his WD network drive for his iTunes. All to get a poor repro due to soundchip on laptop (I assume)
He is due to move into new house and buy a nice new 40"+ TV and I thought it would be nice to build him a HTPC to make it all perfect.
Components required:
Case - HiFi size with room for DVD drive, future BluRay drive. Remote control. Black.
CPU, MB and CPU. HD for OS and a bit more. Wireless to access NAS in other room. Memory. So, basically everything.
It needs upgradeability so he can add in future. Perfectly quiet and good looking to keep the missus happy.
Important point is that the audio to his analogue amp needs to be good too.
Budget £500 ($700)
I know it's a lot to ask for but I know you won't let me down. If it's that good I may even keep it for myself. Cheers.
Edit: He will also rip DVD's (mine) so video pepro is important too.
Silent HTPC newbuild present
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
bluray drives can read standard dvds as well, so one optical bay should be plenty... silverstone gd04/gd05 would be my choice... you really don't need a wireless remote included with the case, because there are many other choices that plug the wireless receiver unit into the usb port of the htpc... for instance, i use one of the gyration units.
when it comes to htpc, many roads lead to rome.
win7 of course, and i would do an i3/i5 family cpu, because it comes with onboard video on the motherboard, and lossless audio output, if your receiver can handle it... more info:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26
when it comes to htpc, many roads lead to rome.
win7 of course, and i would do an i3/i5 family cpu, because it comes with onboard video on the motherboard, and lossless audio output, if your receiver can handle it... more info:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26
First of all welcome to the forums!
I am actually contemplating a build for the same purpose. I need a file server but also want to play music through my amp and watch the occasional catch up tv. Like your son, audio quality is important to me.
I am pretty sure I want to go down the ION route, see here for a review of one particular motherboard: http://www.silentpcreview.com/zotac-ion
The problem for me is that I already have a PCI sound card (ESI Juli@) so I need an ION board with a PCI slot, not PCI express. The only one I can find with a PCI slot is the Asus at3n7a-i which looks good but has a fan on the heatsink. I have read that this can be removed as long as you have a case fan close to the heatsink.
I am pretty much decided on the other components:
Case: Antec ISK300-65. http://www.silentpcreview.com/Antec_ISK300-65
I will change out the fan for a Nexus.
Optical drive: Any slim dvd writer, can anyone recommend a quiet one???
Memory: 2gb pc6400, can't believe the rise in prices in the past couple of years!
Hard Drive: Western Digital Scorpio Blue 2.5" 500gb. http://www.silentpcreview.com/500gb_laptop_drives
That only leaves a sound card. For PCI based cards I can recommend the Prodigy HD2 which can be used in half height pci slots. I will be using the Juli@ in a half height slot but only by removing the top half of the card since I will only be using optical out. As for PCI express, I have only had experience with an Asus Xonar Essence STX and I must say it is a brilliant card and can be made even better by swapping the user replaceable opamps. However, this is a full height card so won't fit in the Antec case and is also twice the price of the other two cards mentioned.
As danimal has said there are many options for you to consider so this is just another suggestion.
I am actually contemplating a build for the same purpose. I need a file server but also want to play music through my amp and watch the occasional catch up tv. Like your son, audio quality is important to me.
I am pretty sure I want to go down the ION route, see here for a review of one particular motherboard: http://www.silentpcreview.com/zotac-ion
The problem for me is that I already have a PCI sound card (ESI Juli@) so I need an ION board with a PCI slot, not PCI express. The only one I can find with a PCI slot is the Asus at3n7a-i which looks good but has a fan on the heatsink. I have read that this can be removed as long as you have a case fan close to the heatsink.
I am pretty much decided on the other components:
Case: Antec ISK300-65. http://www.silentpcreview.com/Antec_ISK300-65
I will change out the fan for a Nexus.
Optical drive: Any slim dvd writer, can anyone recommend a quiet one???
Memory: 2gb pc6400, can't believe the rise in prices in the past couple of years!
Hard Drive: Western Digital Scorpio Blue 2.5" 500gb. http://www.silentpcreview.com/500gb_laptop_drives
That only leaves a sound card. For PCI based cards I can recommend the Prodigy HD2 which can be used in half height pci slots. I will be using the Juli@ in a half height slot but only by removing the top half of the card since I will only be using optical out. As for PCI express, I have only had experience with an Asus Xonar Essence STX and I must say it is a brilliant card and can be made even better by swapping the user replaceable opamps. However, this is a full height card so won't fit in the Antec case and is also twice the price of the other two cards mentioned.
As danimal has said there are many options for you to consider so this is just another suggestion.
Many ION motherboards have on-board SPDIF outputs. If you're only using your sound card for the optical out, you could get rid of it with the right motherboard.
Asus AT3IONT-I has optical out:
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=Z ... templete=2
ZOTAC IONITX-F-E has optical and coax on-board. SPCR build gallery and write-up:
viewtopic.php?t=57944
And even if the board doesn't include the SPDIF output on the back panel, most have internal SPDIF headers. You can buy a cable assembly like this:
http://www.frontx.com/pro/p1062_030.html
And mount the coax connector anywhere you want. I have mine screwed to an unused PCI slot cover. You may have to rearrange the pins on the cable's connector to match your motherboards pin arrangement.
To the OP, if the quality of your son's on-board DAC is an issue, you can get a USB DAC. For example:
http://www.audiophileproducts.com/fubar2
Asus AT3IONT-I has optical out:
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=Z ... templete=2
ZOTAC IONITX-F-E has optical and coax on-board. SPCR build gallery and write-up:
viewtopic.php?t=57944
And even if the board doesn't include the SPDIF output on the back panel, most have internal SPDIF headers. You can buy a cable assembly like this:
http://www.frontx.com/pro/p1062_030.html
And mount the coax connector anywhere you want. I have mine screwed to an unused PCI slot cover. You may have to rearrange the pins on the cable's connector to match your motherboards pin arrangement.
To the OP, if the quality of your son's on-board DAC is an issue, you can get a USB DAC. For example:
http://www.audiophileproducts.com/fubar2
You know, given the (high, in my opinion) cost of the Atom/ION motherboards, you might have a look at some of the barebones mini PCs. The Acer Revo dual-core Atom + Nvidia ION system includes HDD, ram, Win7 Home Premium, and wireless KB/mouse for $330. From Newegg's pictures it looks to have one of those mini SPDIF jacks. The new version also includes a VESA mounting bracket. From the XBMC community, the Acer Revo is "silent" ... not sure how that translates to SPCR standards...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883103235
$330 for this is a good deal. If building from scratch, roughly estimating $150 USD for the motherboard, $50 for ram, $50 for a HDD, $50 for a case, and you're already near the price of the Acer. And you still have to buy a PSU and OS.
Acer UK's product page for the Revo AR3610.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883103235
$330 for this is a good deal. If building from scratch, roughly estimating $150 USD for the motherboard, $50 for ram, $50 for a HDD, $50 for a case, and you're already near the price of the Acer. And you still have to buy a PSU and OS.
Acer UK's product page for the Revo AR3610.