HTPC2: hec 7KJ9 + M2NPV-VM

[ntwp13]

I decided about a month ago finally pull the trigger on HTPC2 destined for the bedroom.  I planned on using mostly spare parts and hoped to keep cost as low as possible.  I have an extra copy of Vista HP that I will be using for software.  I will be connecting it to an almost 10 year old 27″ Tube that unfortunately only has a single composite input. 

I should note that I was close to pulling the trigger on one of the Linksys extenders when they were on sale a while back, but the wife voted for building the second HTPC. The main reason for this is the ability to enhance VMC with plugins such as commercial skip, GameEX, Yougle, and maybe someday NetFlix.  Plus, with the parts I already had, the cost would be comparable.

Things have not gone well and the lesson to be learned from this build: Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance, in other words [color=red]plan before you build[/color].

Goals:
[list]
[*]Keep it as inexpensive as possible
[*]Connect to SD TV
[*]Local PVR
[*]Connect to HTPC1 over network
[*]Local DVD Disk
[*]Stream Ripped DVD and other video over network
[*]Low Profile
[*]Low Heat/Noise
[*]Play console emulator games[/list:u]

Parts:
[list]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121068&Tpk=7kj9]hec 7KJ9[/url] Micro ATX Media Center Case with 270W PSU [b]Purchased New ($60)[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131014]ASUS M2NPV-VM[/url] AM2 GeForce 6150 Micro ATX Motherboard with TV out Module Board [b]Found in Closet from 1st ever HTPC[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103215]AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400[/url] Brisbane 2.3GHz 45W Processor [b]Purchased Secondhand from Meester.Rip ($25)[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488]Kingston 2GB[/url] (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Memory [b]Purchased New ($30)[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152057]SAMSUNG SpinPoint T HD320KJ[/url] 320GB Hard Drive [b]Purchased New ($50)[/b]
[*]WD 200GB Hard Drive (unsure of model number right now) [b]Extra HDD Found in closet[/b]
[*]Samsung SATA DVD Everything Optical Disk Drive (unsure of model number right now) [b]Purchased New ($20)[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100014]AVerMedia M780[/url] Combo PCIe MCE ATSC/NTSC/QAM Tuner Card w/MCE Remote & L-P Bracket [b]Purchased New ($100)[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124053&Tpk=sd%20lp%20nec4u]SYBA SD-LP-NEC4U[/url] Low Profile 4 Port USB 2.0 Card [b]Purchased New ($10)[/b]
[*][url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118118]ZALMAN CNPS7000B-AlCu LED[/url] 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan & Heatsink [b]Found in Closet[/b]
[*][url=http://www.airlink101.com/products/awll6070.php]Airlink101 AWLL6070[/url] 150N Wireless USB Adapter [b]Found in Closet (Impulse buy from a Fry’s sale a while back)[/b][/list:u]

Total Cost: [color=red]$295, more than anticipated[/color]  🙁  [color=red]Plan before you build (or go shopping).[/color]

This build was originally meant to be a project build where I would transform my old Toshiba DVD player into a very cool (not as in temp) HTPC.  I had been thinking about it for quite a while.  All this was scrapped when I found the hec 7KJ9 low profile case and PSU for about $60 with free shipping on Newegg.  Considering that it was cheaper than the PSUs that I was looking at and that it wouldn’t need any modifications or tools, I went for it.  Let’s get to the Pics:

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_3980.jpg[/img]
Here is all that comes with the case.  Chassis, power supply, cover, front bezel, Vertical stands, power cable, some zip ties and thumb screws.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_3992.jpg[/img]
PSU Label.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_3998.jpg[/img]
Rear Interior.  Notice that the 80mm PSU fan is expected to exhaust air through the left side. 

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4002.jpg[/img]
Front Interior with 80mm intake fan.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4007.jpg[/img]
Fan Close-up.  It is not a bad fan, in fact when slowed down by the BIOS fan speed controller it is relatively quiet.  Not silent, but it doesn’t have any clicks or whine, just a low pitch hum.  I’ll probably replace it someday, but for now it is fine.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4011.jpg[/img]
Front grill.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4025.jpg[/img]
Lid with intake vent over CPU.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4026.jpg[/img]
Lid with top and side vents visible.

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Underside of lid showing top vent air duct and dust filter.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4041.jpg[/img]
Front Bezel, sorry for the flash, but I’m trying to show how sparkly the front is.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4043.jpg[/img]
More sparkles.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4045.jpg[/img]
The Front has intake vents on the top and bottom to feed the front fan.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4050.jpg[/img]
Inside the front bezel.  The plastic is an average grade, it doesn’t feel cheap, but I could see it breaking with a decent fall.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4054.jpg[/img]
All the documentation it came with.   😛

First impressions with the case are overall positive.  The chassis is solid the front is shiny and clean.  I’m a little concerned about heat however.  I’m worried that the PSU exhaust will be blocked by the tuner card, and that heat will build up around the CPU and Northbridge.  On the other hand, there is a large side vent right next to the CPU, so maybe everything will be fine.  I’m also not sure how necessary or effective the front intake fan will be, initial impressions are that I may try removing it at some point to see what happens as I am a fan of negative pressure in cases.

The motherboard I’m using is the Asus M2NPV-VM.  This is the first mobo I ever purchased with a HTPC in mind.  Back in its day this board came with so much promise and hope for a better HTPC future for all of us.  Its 6150 graphics were supposed to handle HD sources with on board video, it came with a TV Module that made connecting to any type of TV a breeze, and supported AMD’s cool running Athlon X2 processors (before C2Ds) and PC 6400 ram.  In reality, this board cannot handle 1080i video (or p), suffers from instability, and made my first HTPC build  a real PITA.  So why am I using it again?  Well, because I need composite out for the bedroom TV and it can do it with the TV out module, I am more experienced in building HTPCs, and I have it sitting in the closet. 

I had to buy a USB card because the USB ports on the motherboard no longer work.

The processor was purchased second hand from Meester.Rip.  I jumped on it because it runs at 45W and should help keep things cool in this low profile case while handling SD material. 

I thought I had some PC 6400 on hand, but it turns that I put it in another build for my Mom.  A trip to Fry’s and $30 later, I’ve got some Kingston Value Ram and build-cost goes up.  [color=red]Plan ahead, make sure you have what you need before starting to shop or build.[/color]

I decided to use an old Zalman 7000 CPU Fan & Heatsink that I got cheap from a CompUSA store closing a while back.  The problem is that it is not AM2 compatible.  To solve this problem I filed off the nubs on a spare AM2 bracket and screwed the 7000 mounting bracket right into the plastic with some wood screws.  Simple, rough, but cheap, [color=red]I got lucky on this one, but should have planned ahead[/color].  I like this heatsink for this case because, as I mentioned above, I’m worried about airflow in the CPU area and the flower design will spread air 360 degrees around the board. 

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4062.jpg[/img]
Filed Bracket

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4063.jpg[/img]
Another shot.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4072.jpg[/img]
The latest in wood screw mounting technology.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4078.jpg[/img]
Mounted and ready to move into case.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4081.jpg[/img]
There are a few tight fits, the power connector will have to be squished a bit to get the ODD in.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4083.jpg[/img]
Connecting the front connectors was a bit of a pain due to clearance issues.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4091.jpg[/img]
The value RAM I purchased is very low profile, but taller RAM modules may have serious clearance issues with the ODD.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4101.jpg[/img]
Top down motherboard installed.

I planned to use an old DVD PATA drive, but with this case, a SATA drive is almost a necessity as there is little room to stuff cables and a ribbon cable will just about cut off airflow from the front fan.   A trip to MicroCenter to buy an OEM SATA DVD Drive and build-cost goes up again.  [color=red]Plan ahead, study the case and make sure that what you want to use and what you want to do will work.[/color]

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4104.jpg[/img]
Even with a SATA ODD, the cables can get in the way if you have a big heatsink.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4109.jpg[/img]
Power cables touching heatsink = BAD

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4113.jpg[/img]
Dig through the closet and find a right angle power connector.  Phew.  [color=red]Should have planned ahead.[/color]

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4115.jpg[/img]
No clearance problems with right angle power and signal cable connectors.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4119.jpg[/img]
Another shot of the right angle connectors and a look at the quickly filling up cable stuffing area under the ODD.

While at MicroCenter for the SATA ODD, I came across a Samsung 320 Gb Hard Drive on sale for $50.  Knowing that Samsung has a good reputation for cool and quiet drives, I made the impulse buy.  I was going to just use the 200GB and expand storage down the line, but this seemed like a good deal.  Well, this drive is anything but cool and quiet.  It clicks, vibrates, and generates a lot of heat.  [color=red]Plan ahead, avoid impulse buys–parts for a HTPC must be researched and hand picked.[/color]

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4018.jpg[/img]
The HDDs mount in a tiny little cage in the front left corner of the case.  Not a lot of room for the HDDs to breathe and no room for any type of vibration management.  I would recommend soft mounting 2.5″ HDDs, again [color=red]Plan Ahead[/color].
I saw someone comment that the PSU had to be removed to mount the drives, but I was able to feed them in through the front without any trouble.

Some final shots:

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4121.jpg[/img]
I’ve got some stretched cables (CPU power and Front USB), which I personally don’t like, but should not cause any problems.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4122.jpg[/img]
The Asus TV Module is mounted on a full height bracket that, obviously, I cannot use with this LP case.  The plan is to someday cut a hole out above the mobo connectors and mount it there, but for now I have the cable running through a bracket and the module is outside the case.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4124.jpg[/img]
Front with center bar replaced.  I don’t think it is really necessary as the case is pretty sturdy, but no reason to not put it in.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4126.jpg[/img]
Left side.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4128.jpg[/img]
Rear.

Right side.
[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4129.jpg[/img]

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4131.jpg[/img]
I zipped the stretched cables to the center bar, guess it is useful after all.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4136.jpg[/img]
Quick size comparison.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4157.jpg[/img]
I forgot to mention the rubber feet on the bottom.

[img width=650 height=487]http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/ntwp13/HTPC/HTPC2/IMG_4159.jpg[/img]
Ooooo, Shiny.

Things got a bit rough from here.  To summarize, the PSU is unstable, the motherboard is unstable, I have heat problems, and the HDD is loud and hot.  Oh, and I don’t like the remote either.  To be continued…

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