Building at Bluray/HD DVD HTPC - Cheapest solution

[cpus456]

Looking to Build on this PC that i already have:

Processor - AMD 3800 X2
Memory - 2 GB
Board - Generic, with PCi express and 2 SATA drives

Need:
VIDEO Card - ?
Bluray/HD Drive - ?
Sound Card - ?

Have:
Receiver - Denon with optical and coaxial input
TV - Nec PLasma - with DVI input


Notes
- the drive doesn't have to be both formats, i have a hd dvd player already - if i could get a dual format then i would sell the player

-Also want a player that is going to be compatable with the REV 2 Bluray that is coming out???

[willy]

You have a choice here .... For the combined price of a new video card + a new sound card, you could get yourself a new mobo with onboard HDMI/DVI and onboard digital audio output ... The upcoming RS780-based mobo is an example.

Just to give you more to think about ...

[ppl4golf]

If your 3800+x2 is AM2, get an all-in-one mobo (like Gigabyte's 690G mobo with HDMI around $75) like post#2 suggested is pretty good...even better if you can wait a little longer for 780-series all-in-one mobos.

Alternatively, adding an ATI3450 graphic card around $50 would do...

Since HDDVD is going to be scarce, getting a BR/HDDVD combo drive is a good idea. Those drives are still pretty pricey for now should drop prices with more waiting.

[Silver Bullet]

Processor - AMD 3800 X2
Memory - 2GB PC2-6400 OCZ Rev 2 ($27 AMIR at infonec.com)
Board - ASUS M2A-VM/HDMI
VIDEO Card - use onboard
Bluray/HD Drive - Pioneer Blu-ray BDC-202BK
Sound Card - use onboard (rca digital coax out)

Should be more than enough. Though you might want a bit strong cpu if you plan to do any post-recording encoding (to divx for example).
-
Mobo review: Silent PC Review (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article778-page4.html) - with HD video testing.

[cpus456]

i already have:

The processor, memory and board - this pc is laying around collecting dust, need to but it to use, its also a btx setup. so it quite, perfect for htpc :)

just need the reader, video and sound card

my onboard sound and video with not cut it

[willy]

Oh, BTX ... In that case, you can't really upgrade/switch mobo without changing the case ...

As ppl4golf suggested :arrowu:, ATI HD 3450 will do the trick for video. It accelerates H.264/VC-1 for Bluray/HD-DVD playback, even X2 3800+ is more than enough.

[cpus456]

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016641&cid=999.243.272

[willy]

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016641&cid=999.243.272
I wouldn't get that 2400 coz :

1. It has a fan. For HTPC, I would go with passive (no fan).

2. HD 3450 is a directly replacement of HD 2400 and they are in the similar price range.

3. Slightly more advance manufacturing process (55nm vs 65nm). Most HD 3450s are passive.

[ppl4golf]

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016641&cid=999.243.272

Reread Post#8 which highlighted some advantages of the 3450 over any older cards.

[Psychosis]

I'm looking into building a HTPC as well, but I'm starting from scratch since my PC is almost 5 years old and doesn't have enough power to decode HD movies.

The Blu Ray/HD DVD I've been looking at is the LG Super Multi:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX18988(ME).aspx

For $240, it doesn't look too bad since it's also a Blu Ray writer.

[jumran]

I'm looking into building a HTPC as well, but I'm starting from scratch since my PC is almost 5 years old and doesn't have enough power to decode HD movies.

The Blu Ray/HD DVD I've been looking at is the LG Super Multi:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX18988(ME).aspx

For $240, it doesn't look too bad since it's also a Blu Ray writer.

This drive is not a Blue Ray Writer. It will read, Blue Ray, HD-DVD and standard DVD but will only write Standard CD or DVD.

[Psychosis]

This drive is not a Blue Ray Writer. It will read, Blue Ray, HD-DVD and standard DVD but will only write Standard CD or DVD.

Yes, my mistake. I was confusing it with the LiteOn Blu Ray writer on the same site.

[weedb0y]

I like this AMD board, Asus M2A-VM Socket AM2 AMD690G + ATI SB600 Chipset Dual Channel DDR2 800/667/533 Integrated ATI X1250 Graphics Micro ATX

$71 at canada computers.

[ppl4golf]

I like this AMD board, Asus M2A-VM Socket AM2 AMD690G + ATI SB600 Chipset Dual Channel DDR2 800/667/533 Integrated ATI X1250 Graphics Micro ATX

$71 at canada computers.

I have this very Asus mobo and is nothing but PITA.
Admittingly video is indeed topnotch but there are a lot of unfixed problems.

[cpus456]

VIDEOCARD - $60
DRIVE - $260
SOUNDCARD - $60

= iM BUYING A ps3 ???? and keeping my Hd dvd player

building an htpc doesn't seem like the best way to go for me, unless you guys have cheaper solutions?

[willy]

Well, most people do not only watch Bluray/HD-DVD movies with their HTPCs. But if Bluray is the only thing you plan to use your HTPC with, I don't think it justifies your $300+ investment.