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Thinking of building an HTPC- any advice? - treetop I'm thinking of building an HTPC from scratch. Any tips/advice from others that have already done so? What is worth spending big bucks on, and what is it possible to economize on? Any general advice you can share?

Best Answer: The things to think about are small but important...You'll want HD capability...Make sure the video card you choose is good and perferably has HDMI output,,,Now noise level you may want to spend extra money to get silent or stealth type fans (this is also an important consideration for the Power supply and video card if you can find a card with passive cooling (no fan) these can be great...Audio...If you have a nice sound system you should pick a motherboard with Digital Optical output or a good sound card with digital out...Asthetics the case you choose has to sit in you living room so make sure you like it (if it is a slim or small case make sure you component will fit in...Finally Storage...if you want to store a lot of movies you need a lot of storage...Make sure you have enough (500gb stores about 100 uncompressed DVDs and could about 20 blu-ray's uncompressed. Obviously there are other considerations like making sure the TV tuner card (if you have one) has all the feutures you'd like etc. Places you can save...the case (there are many in expensive cases if you down with their appearance)...The motherboard as long as it has the features you need it doesn't need to have a lot of extras...The processor...Many people think to have high def. you need some crazy processor...not true you can get a cheap intel or amd processor (about 100) and this will be sufficient...it's the video card that makes the high def happen...Ram, there's no need for corsair dominator ram here get the corsair value select or carsair XMS2 something Cheap 2gb at least but don't spend over $50. Blu-ray drive...Many people build think this is a HUGE added expense because they look at bluray WRITERS...if you don't need to burn blu-rays...and basically no one does...ht e readers can now be had on newegg and tigerdirect for just over $100. Can save on hard drive if your ok with storing more disc media (DVDs and BDs). OH one last thing that can be important keyboard and Mouse you need to be wireless probably but think about how you want to enter info if you don't have a good place to set the keyboard and mouse then think about keyboard mouse combo devices that are wireless...especially the Logitech diNovo edge keyboard or the Logitech Dinovo Mini...these a great for HTPCs because they have a laptop style track pad built into them and the mini is small like a remote control...though inconveinent if you need to do any lengthy typing one the unit...Oh you can also save on the Operating system...no need for windows here...google Myth TV it is a great linux OS that is especially designed for HTPCs. good luck and if you need help or suggestions with product select click my name and send me an email. - dynam1c

An HD3200/HD3450, a cheap (dual core for encoding) processor that runs cool, and 1GB of memory should be at the heart of it. Case selection, sound card, video capture card, storage devices, and cooling solutions should be tailored to suit your needs. Personally I wouldn't spend more than $300. - cypheron

I have 102 page stinky on this subject I've been at it since 2003 myself. I currently design GUI for Hauppauge MediaMVP (network media player) for free. I use current system I've build to record off CATV 24/7 well it depends if anything is set to record. But think of the box as a DVR you'll be the Admin of that system. It's fun but you need to know what you want to do with it. I've outline more on the link provided below.. More info shared here: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic87646.html - tipstir

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