HTPC build - E6750, GA-G33M-D2SR matx, HD3650, VX450, Lian Li PC-V350B

09:27 PM

Decided to build my first HTPC this weekend and it seems to have come together nicely. It's been 5+ yrs since I actually used a pc case and forgot how bothersome they can be

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 G0 ES (spare part lying around)
Scythe Ninja Mini (new purchase)
Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R (provided by Gigabyte)
512MB Gigabyte HD3650 (new purchase)
ATI DVI to HDMI adaptor (borrowed from my HIS HD3850 accessories)
2x1GB OCZ PC2-7200 Gold (provided by OCZ)
2x 500GB Seagate 7200.10 SATA (spare parts lying around)
Pioneer DVR-215 20X DVDRW SATA (spare part lying around)
Hauppauge HVR-2200 Dual Digital/Analogue TV Tuner PCI-E x1 (new purchase)
Logitech Harmony 525 Universal (new purchase)
450W Corsair VX-450 PSU (new purchase)
Lian Li PC-V350B Micro-ATX Cube (new purchase)
Vista Ultimate 64bit SP1

Seems the VX-450 psu and PC-V350B case were a perfect match too

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Got as far as install INF, CAT 8.7 and Hauppauge HVR-2200 drivers. Will do the rest over the weekend

Update:

moved the HTPC to my room so i can connect it up to my network and install/update and configure stuff more quickly.
plugged HTPC power into my Power-mate wattage meter to measure power draw and at stock E6750 @8x333FSB = 2.66Ghz at 1.35v stock it's peaking at 152W for general file usage loads with coretemp reading 46C load.
copying over my media files right now ~500GB worth heh.

03-08-2008, 09:23 AM #2 (**permalink**)

Very nice EVA2000!
The Idea of the HTPC came to my mind many times, but I though it would be complicated for my family, but actually you added a very smart thing! The Logitech Harmony. I did not think of that, this should make dealing with Video playback easy as hell! Tell us about the experience....

And how about the sound! You are using the board's? The new Xfi drivers seems to be functional at least for DTS DD. and speakers?

I got the Panasonic SC-PT865 HTIB instead of the good looking babe you got there

I love the setup, very smart! way to go!

03-08-2008, 05:02 PM #3 (**permalink**)

thanks... the harmony 525 controls my Samsung LA40A650AIF LCD TV, Sony SLV-D940P DVD/VCR and Supernet 8000T-PVR SD set top box fine. Will see how it goes for HTPC stuff

Plan on onboard sound but haven't got around to that yet

03-08-2008, 06:19 PM #4 (**permalink**)

Nice little machine there eva! Tut tut with the onboard sound lol.
How does that little motherboard go?
My little HTPC has the Abit IP-95 in it, latest BIOS will still not run a 45nm CPU, although it will run the E1200 which it has in it now. Even with a E6700 in it the machine was very slow, just can't get the memory up to speed. How are the options on that board mate? Might have to do an upgrade I think, especially for another F@H rig to plod along

03-08-2008, 09:09 PM #5 (**permalink**)

Thanks... i really can't appreciate better sound - i still use $19 headphones on my main pc onboard sound with no speakers

Probably will need to ask around to help configure a decent sound system for the HTPC though since it's in living room etc.

GA33M-DS2R bios has the usual feel like the EP45 Extreme except reference volts are hidden in CTRL+F1 heh. I'll get some bios screens later - right now installing and updating software and moving over 500GB of media to the htpc

fluid over at OCAU, says G33M-DS2R i have has high failure rate, so not sure really as I don't pay attention to matx boards heh. Gigabyte just realease G45 matx series too with integrated HDMI and DFI has their matx P45 board too.

I'm hoping my board lasts through the Beijing Olympics though as that's part of the reason I went with htpc build and new 40" LCD tv

03-08-2008, 10:43 PM #6 (**permalink**)

Eva2000

Here is what I know about sound & speakers. I am a THX Dolby and DTS fanatic!

Unfortunately GA-G33M-DS2R doesn’t have a SPDIF optical or coaxial output. It would saved you money and time.

So, you can get any Xfi SoundBlaster I really recommend extreme music, for the price and performance.

And here are the hot speakers that will rock your room with deep bass and amazing surround sound

1- Logitech Z5500 5.1 THX (rear speaker are wired, 8 meters cables for them, enough for medium room size).
2- Logitech z5450 5.1 THX (wireless rear speakers)
3- Creative G500 5.1 THX

I have both z5500 and z5450, the z5500 is little more powerful than the z5450, about 90~ watt more. Sound quality for both speakers are amazing

The G500 is still awesome, a friend of mine have it, but the Logitech Z series are FTW.

04-08-2008, 03:32 PM #7 (**permalink**)

thanks for the info

Last night I finished setting up the software and updates for my first HTPC spec'd above. But this now brings up even more questions that I hope some folks here can shed light on

1. I installed Klite Mega codec pack 4.1.0 32bit and Klite 64bit codec pack 1.4.0 and can play my divx, xvid, h.264, mkv and most other video files through Vista Ultimate 64bit SP1's MCE, but only MOV and RMVB files can't be played via MCE ?

2. MCE tv tuner guide setup - i can't get any guide info when trying to setup using postcode 4109 ????

3. How are you meant to schedule FTA tv show recordings ? I can't see any menus within MCE to do this ? Or do I need to have the tv guide setup properly to do this ? Edit: okay found you need the guide http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/win...3296b1033.mspx

4. Logitech Harmony 525 - how am I meant to set this up for Vista MCE ?? Do I need the MS MCE remote to learn from ? Need a USB infra-red connector for Harmony 525 to communicate with my HTPC ?

thanks in advance

George

04-08-2008, 07:29 PM #8 (**permalink**)

Originally Posted by eva2000

4. Logitech Harmony 525 - how am I meant to set this up for Vista MCE ?? Do I need the MS MCE remote to learn from ? Need a USB infra-red connector for Harmony 525 to communicate with my HTPC ?

I think you will need the Harmony Wireless RF Receiver, it's little over priced, I don't know if other IR COM ports would work on it.