First time builder looking for help

[Aaron Ledger]

SDV = Switched Digital Video. It is a technology used by some cable companies to allow multiple channels to share the same bandwidth since not every channel is being watched all the time everywhere in the cable system. Using SDV, the subscriber requests that a channel be sent when tuning it. Due to the nature of CableCARD, this requires a SDV adapter which the cable provider must give to CableCARD subscribers. The SDV adapter is plugged into the CableCARD device via USB.

Hopefully, you’re on a cable system that doesn’t employ SDV since it requires you to just have one more thing laying around to hook up. You might be able to determine this by looking at a list we’ve been maintaining for various cable systems here.

That’s correct regarding the quad tuner. You can record four programs simultaneously (or record three and watch a fourth live).

[shadz]

Ok, so, surprise, surprise, things didn’t work out as planned for my build last year.  Go figure, right?  Anywho, I am going to get to move forward shortly with my build, though a little less aggressive on the modification of an old stereo unit as a home base.  Just to ensure I’m still on the right track, I’ve updated my list of supplies for my first HTPC build.  Let me know if I missed anything essential:

MOBO: ASRock B75M  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-157-356&Tpk=N82E16813157356

CPU: Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=19-116-399&Tpk=N82E16819116399

RAM: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-347&Tpk=N82E16820148347

Main HDD:SanDisk 32GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-171-667&Tpk=N82E16820171667

Storage HDD (already own): Western Digital Red 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236342

Blu Ray Player: LG  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=27-136-252&Tpk=N82E16827136252

PS (already purchased):Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-371-033&Tpk=N82E16817371033

UPS:CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series 600W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=42-102-082&Tpk=N82E16842102082

OS:  Windows 7 Home Premium

Case:SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / Steel Lascala Series  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=11-163-193&Tpk=N82E16811163193

 

So, there it is.  Now, the 1TB drive is my first drive.  Next year I’m going to expand to 2 WD Red 3TB drives in a raid configuration for more storage and data security.  I’ll take any and all feedback.  I have just two questions:

Is the SSD @ 32GB storage, enough to run windows and some other light programs?

(i know this one is going to sound dumb) Does the HDMI port on a mobo supply sound like a regular HDMI from say a DVD player?

I want to make sure I don’t miss anything.  I am going to hook this up to my reciever and wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t need any additional wires/connections to ensure the sound is pumped through the reciever.  Ok, that’s it for now.  FIRE AWAY!!!

 

 

[babgvant]

[quote=shadz]

RAM: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-347&Tpk=N82E16820148347

[/quote]

Get DDR3 1600.

[quote=shadz]

Main HDD:SanDisk 32GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-171-667&Tpk=N82E16820171667

[/quote]

I’d get at least a 60GB.

[quote=shadz]

(i know this one is going to sound dumb) Does the HDMI port on a mobo supply sound like a regular HDMI from say a DVD player?

[/quote]

Yep.

[shadz]

[quote=babgvant]

[quote=shadz]

RAM: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-347&Tpk=N82E16820148347

[/quote]

Get DDR3 1600.  This is easy enough

[quote=shadz]

Main HDD:SanDisk 32GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-171-667&Tpk=N82E16820171667

[/quote]

I’d get at least a 60GB.  Being a budget build, I will have to look into this further.  Anyone ever get a “refurbished” SSD from New Egg?  I was wondering how that might work out.

[quote=shadz]

(i know this one is going to sound dumb) Does the HDMI port on a mobo supply sound like a regular HDMI from say a DVD player?

[/quote]

Yep.

[/quote]

[babgvant]

[quote=shadz]

Being a budget build, I will have to look into this further.  Anyone ever get a “refurbished” SSD from New Egg?  I was wondering how that might work out.

[/quote]

I get that, but it’s a $30-40 difference and the trade-off is that you’ll be able to put more than just the OS on it. 32 isn’t big enough, 40 is really tight, 60 is OK, I don’t use anything < 90 (but I like to install apps that most people won’t).

[frijones]

For the OS Drive, I can reccomend the Mushkin Enhanced Chronos 60GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226247 . I’ve got this drive and it has worked very well for me for over a year now.

For the CPU, why not get the G860 for the same price? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116405

 

[DavidStein]

I used a 64GB vertex 2 as my htpc OS drive for a couple years, but I just replaced it with a 120GB (samsung 840 pro, but that part doesnt really matter).

 

I found that if you want to use a 64GB you are going to have to spend a little more effort making sure you don’t install too much and are getting rid of temp files. Every so often I’d have to clear off some room because I was down to a couple GBs free.

 

its not a huge difference, but I don’t think i’ll have to bother with that now that Im at 120GB. looking at slickdeals or the deals forums at various larger messageboards (i use hardforums for this purpose) you can get a solid new 120GB for ~$90 (and there are a couple options out there at the moment). If you can swing the difference, id suggest it.

[shadz]

[quote=babgvant]

[quote=shadz]

Being a budget build, I will have to look into this further.  Anyone ever get a “refurbished” SSD from New Egg?  I was wondering how that might work out.

[/quote]

I get that, but it’s a $30-40 difference and the trade-off is that you’ll be able to put more than just the OS on it. 32 isn’t big enough, 40 is really tight, 60 is OK, I don’t use anything < 90 (but I like to install apps that most people won’t).

[/quote]

I understand that, however, the other pieces that you don’t have are the Ceton InfiniTV4 tuner card ($200) that I will also need to purchase, as well as the need to purchase a new reciever, as mine is making a popping noise and going into safe mode periodically.  (It’s a 10 year old Sony unit, so it has served me well).  So the $30-$50 extra will actually break the bank on this one. 

[Techbutton]

[quote=shadz]

 So the $30-$50 extra will actually break the bank on this one. 

[/quote]

Just wait a few days and you can probably find a SSD on sale online somewhere.. shop around.

[shadz]

Ok, so parts have started arriving.  Some good news, I was able to up my SSD to a 64GB unit.  Looks like I may be waiting until next week to see my case, but that’s ok, no rush.  I also had to change the mobo, due to the one I listed was “discontinued” and I couldn’t be bothered to try and track one down.  I decided to order this:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130656

It’s an MSI board similar to the ASRock B75M I was going to get. Also, to my suprise, the ceton infiniTV 4 quad tuner card I got came with a Rosewill RHRC-120001 Media Center Remote,  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101009 , for free, so that was nice too. 

I also added a logitech k400 keyboard w/ an integrated touchpad:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DKZTMG/ref=oh_details_o01_s02_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can’t wait for all this to get here and finally put it together.  I’m jonsing real bad…….

[Author]

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