New HTPC build questions

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  • #26310

    I’m hacking up an old series 1 Tivo to house my new HTPC built around the Intel DH61AG motherboard.

    I am still in the process of finalizing all the components, but currently am thinking of using the Intel G620T cpu (35W) and have purchased the G.Skill 2x4gb PC3-8500 ram set for it.  Going to run an SSD for the main (and only planned) drive in the system.  I have an old 2nd gen Intel 80gb SSD (Intel X25-M) that I was planning on using, but didnt know if I should spring for a new mSATA drive?  Trying to keep power draw down, heat to a minimum. 

    Is 90W enough for this board on the PSU?  Going to use a Dell laptop power adapter, have one for my XPS laptop that is 19V/90W and found a “dell” at amazon for $28. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ACWG7Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3CE5DITZRK6CJ

    I am going to run Sage client on this box, but I want to make sure it has enough horse power to convert to being the server at some point.  I will be running 1 HD200 extender off this, and placeshifter from work once in a while.  Any reason why this machine would not be up to that task?  If I convert it to a server, I will use the esata on the motherboard to hook up external record drives.  Does the e-sata support port multiplier drive enclosures?  If not, I could always go the USB3 route.

    Any other suggestions?  Oh here’s one question, I have 2 LED’s on the front of the tivo.  One for recording which I plan to use for just that, and the other is for “receiving”.  I’m not sure what that was for on the tivo (phone/network downloads maybe?) but what would you use it for?  Power LED seems like a decent option, but so boring.  And I could care less about HD activity LED.  Is there a way to monitor extender/placeshifter use, and light it if one or both of those is active?

    #31326
    Aaron Ledger

      90W should be plenty, You can see our i3-2100T review system shows only about 45W used with CPU at full load. Power LED is important. I like to know at a glance that system is either on or off/sleep. I’m not sure you would have any issues running as a SageTV server, but a processor upgrade could be performed any time if it becomes a requirement.

      #31345
      Kirby

        I just want to make sure I understand the ‘issue’ with the DH61AG board and mixing of surround channels incorrectly.  If I am only going to bitstream over HDMI, then it does not matter which revision of the MB I get, correct?  Its only an issue on the analog audio 7.1 outputs?

        #31346
        mikinho

          For HDMI it does not matter, it only affects analog audio.  And honestly…if you use analog audio then there are better discrete sound cards to consider and other motherboards.

          #31347
          Kirby

            Yeah I dont use analog anything.  And would never consider analog audio on a MB either!

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