Need some advice builidng a silent HTPC

kozak · Post by **kozak** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:00 pm

Hi
It has been some time scince I assembled my last computer and have some catching up to do. My last build was extremely loud and this time I would like it to be as quiet as possible especially given its an HTPC.
Here are some of the components I selected:

Case:Antec NSK2480 Desktop Case
Power Supply:EarthWatts 380W (comes with the case)
CPU:Athlon X2 4850e(if it becomes availible anytime soon) or BE-2400
MB:Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
Memory:OCZ (OCZ2P800R22GK) DDR2 (29.99 after MIR)
HDD:WD 320 - 500GB
DVB: thinwan 1028

The main goal is to be able to watch 1080p content on a 42 plasma.
Any suggestions on the components?
Is there any benefit in getting a phenom?
Should i get 4GB of ram?
Can i get passive cooling for the CPU?

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:37 pm

Phenom doesn't really help in that. X2 4850e is excellent choice. Where's current phenom's TDP is 125W's the 4850e's TDP is rated 45W. You have no troubles at all cooling 65W CPU passively with Ninja. 45W its like walking in a park. You can easily use Ninja or Minja with 4850e.

However, I am not sure strength of the integrated graphic fully being able to decode 1080p image... However you can add HD 3450 and use it for Hybrid Crossfire if you like. But I am not sure if HD 3450 can fully decode 1080p material. It can fully decode without problem the lower 720p material but I was reading somewhere that its not quite beefy enough for 1080p. And Hybrid CrossFire helps only in games.

HD 3650 definately would be able to decode the 1080p without problems. 4GB is not expensive. If you have Vista then 4 GB might be good. Else 2 Gb should be sufficient.

kozak · Post by **kozak** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:52 pm

Thanks for the reply,
I will wait for the anandtech review to decide on the video card, that is someting i can always add later.

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:05 pm

kozak wrote:The main goal is to be able to watch 1080p content on a 42 plasma.

Components look OK. No benefit of Phenom for your goal. I think 2GB is fine just for playing movies and such. Even in Vista. You most likely can get passive cooling for the CPU. I suggest a Scythe Mini Ninja

thejamppa wrote:However, I am not sure strength of the integrated graphic fully being able to decode 1080p image

SPCR's 780G Review found that the 780G integrated graphics and a 1.5GHz dual core CPU was the minimum requirement to play their test clips. Some clips were 1080p. So basically 780G+Athlon X2= 1080p.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:00 pm

angelkiller wrote:
thejamppa wrote:However, I am not sure strength of the integrated graphic fully being able to decode 1080p image
SPCR's 780G Review found that the 780G integrated graphics and a 1.5GHz dual core CPU was the minimum requirement to play their test clips. Some clips were 1080p. So basically 780G+Athlon X2= 1080p.

That's great then ^^

nitram_tpr · Post by **nitram_tpr** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:35 am

I have built a system with the 780G and a BE2350 and a Mini Ninja is able to cool this passively with no problems whatsoever. A full sized Ninja will not fit in this case.

All the reviews show that this chipset can decode at 1080.

kozak · Post by **kozak** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:41 am

anyone has any idea when the 4850e will hit retail?