HTPC help!

[Pinscher]

So my roommate and I are considering going in on a nice HTPC. I know putting it together is the same, I just need some help picking parts. Heres what I've got so far.

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory (I picked these for the heatsinks because there won't be a whole lot of airflow through the case)

Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING ACF64LP 60mm CPU Cooler for low profile PC - CPU Fans & Heatsinks (not sure about this thing but it looked good for low profile, could use some suggestions on a cooler if this isn't good.)

Newegg.com - LG Black 6X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L - Blu-Ray Drives (got this because my roommate has some HD-DVDs he wants to still be able to play)

Newegg.com - LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-C32B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Newegg.com - ASUS Xonar D2X 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards


I also need suggestions on a TV tuner card that can receive an HD signal and has recording capabilities (not sure if that is dependent on the card or software)

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Don't bother with the 9500gt, The 790gx's on board video is nearly as powerful and would be plenty for a htpc.

The x3 720 is also overkill, A x2 4850e would be fast enough, run cooler, and consume less power.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

I have been considering getting this card for a htpc and it can record directly to H.264.

Newegg.com - AVerMedia AVERTV Bravo Hybrid PCI-E (H788) MTVBHPCIR PCI-Express x1 Interface - TV Tuners & Video Devices

 

[philbar71]

this is a very good tv tuner card, i have one my self.

Newegg.com - ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface - TV Tuners & Video Devices

the digital tv (HD) looks great, better than my dads 46" sony bravia 1080p TV. and the FM radio picks up signals from stations that i didnt even know i had, i think it's worth the extra cash over the other one. i use the analog tuner for charter cable tv and that is better looking than my happauge tv tuner card.

 

[Nagasama]

you also dont really need 4gb of RAM for a HTPC. i use 2gb, absolutely no problem. if 2gb is cheaper, id just do that.

 

[Pinscher]

I updated my first post with the changes you guys suggested.

I still haven't decided on a TV tuner card but thanks for the initial suggestions.

This is the time when I could actually rely on newegg reviews lol. Soo many of the TV tuner cards get bad reviews so I never know what is good.

Anybody know about that cooler or a different one?

 

[Nagasama]

the stock cooler will be fine man, unless you are going to OC it, which isnt necessary. i run my 5000BE in my HTPC stock speed with stock cooler no problems there.

 

[Pinscher]

Oh I know stock cooler will be fine, im just thinking about noise

 

[Nagasama]

the stock AMD cooler wont be any noisier than an AF64, i dont think.

 

[Thresh25]

What is an HTPC, from my googling I got that it's just basically a receiver for a home theatre system. So why not just buy a HTIB or something?

 

[Pinscher]

First off, home theater in a box is basically a pile of crap in a box. Also, HTPC (Home Theater PC) acts as a media server as well as a TV tuner and DVR.

I also already have really nice B&W speakers and a seperate receiver for my sound.

Nagasama: I am really trying to minimize noise as much as possible here but if you thin they are about the same then oh well. I can always test it out and if its no good, I'll just find a different cooler