Fellow Computer Geeks...what do you think of my plans for a media PC?

[BadMojo]

So, I'm thinking of ditching my old Duron 750mhz (fiance's machine) and my ancient Celeron 500mhz (yeah, 500mhz) boxes and building a small-ish media machine.

Here's what I want to do:

Emulate a Tivo with decent storage capacityBe able to take recorded TV programs and burn them on DVDStream video and audio to my TV/stereoI want it to be small, quiet and I want it to run fairly cool

So...here's my shopping list so far.

An Antec Overture Case with PShttp://www.antec.com/us/produc...5728# ~$107

Intel P4 Prescott 2.4A ghz ~$122

Intel D865GBFL i865G motherboard ~$92

2 512mb dimms of PC3200 DDR from Crucial.com ~$200

Plextor PX-712A 12X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 8X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW ~ $126

Hauppauge PCI TV Tuner Card, Model WinTV PVR 250 ~$126

Hauppauge Media MVP Ethernet Digital Media Receiver ~$86

Western Digital 200GB IDE Hard Drive WD2000BB = ~106

Total = Approximately $965

So...any thoughts? Prices are all from Newegg. I could probably do better if I looked around.

[w1ngzer0]

1.)go with SATA HD's2.)go to 1gb of memory3.)you don't need a processor faster then 800mhz. But if your looking to play games/programming, sure go for it :P

[Jesda]

Excellent hardware choices, though I've read that the Seagate Barracuda is generally faster. Dont know how much that matters when recording and playing back media.

[w1ngzer0]

seagate raptor hd > all

10,000 RPM SATA and comes in 72 and 36 gb sizes. Raid 1 and 0 optional.

[BadMojo]

Thanks guys!

Just some clarifications...

This machine will do double duty as my fiance's PC as well. Her computer needs don't extend past AIM, Internet Explorer and Email.

Processor Speed

As for the processor...the reason for the P4 would primarily be to assist in encoding MP3 files. I'm ripping my massive CD collection and encoding them using Lame at a fairly decent bitrate. This is extremely processor intensive and it actually takes longer to rip than encode.

It's also conceivable that I might change my mind and start encoding in a lossless format, which probably takes up even more processor juice.

Memory

Also, I'm definitely going with 1GB of DDR, but want to get a matched pair of 512MB.

Hard Drive Speed/SATA

I don't really need a fast drive for this application. Actually, a 5400rpm drive of massive capacity would do just fine. It just so happens that huge 7200 RPM ATA drives are dirt cheap.

Other than better airflow from the SATA cables, I don't see a huge benefit for my application.

I *am* a bit concerned about airflow in that Antec case. Now, I'll be running onboard audio, video and the P4 Prescott. Does anyone know if that version of Prescott ran particularly hot? I'll most likely be sticking with the stock heatsink and fan for convenience sake.

[BadMojo]

The Raptor is definitely kick ***, but I don't really need all that speed (or heat) for my purposes. RAID is also something I'm not really going to need.

From what I can tell, for a TIVO-like machine, I need the following attributes as far as hardware goes:

a decent amount of memory (1gb+)a ton of HD spacea TV tuner cardany P4 or comparable AMD product

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I haven't built a PC in over a year, so I'm behind the times.

[w1ngzer0]

if your using the computer. AKA user interactive. Don't give me that "i don't need a 10,000 RPM drive" OMG 5400 RPM is going to kill you.

[BadMojo]

Well, my fiance is going to be browsing the web and doing email...which would make the Raptor laugh in her face.

I'll be doing stuff like encoding audio (and maybe video in the future) which is more processor intensive.

As far as the PVR functions of the computer, I don't necessarily know if they warrent the extra cost of a low capacity 10,000 RPM drive.

Don't get me wrong....I love the Raptor. I just don't know if it make sense for my budget and application.

[w1ngzer0]

have fun with loading times and waiting forever for everything to finish

[C-Kwik]

I would agree with wingzero here. If you are streaming data into the harddrive, then a faster HD would be optimal. 10,000 RPM HD's are a bit pricey last time I looked, but 7200 RPM are reasonably priced. Swapping my 5400 to a 7200 madfe a significant improvement in overall performance. My Machine is pretty fast, but the hard drive became the bottleneck. I'm not sure if I can really take advantage of a 10,000 RPM HD myself, but I will never buy a 5400 RPM one again.

[BadMojo]

I'm definitely going to get a drive faster than a 5400 rpm. Still, I bet the drives in a Tivo aren't 7200 rpm...could be wrong, though.

Anyway, I've had good luck with the WD I listed below. It's 7200 rpm with a 8mb buffer. 200GB should be sufficient, at least for now. I'd be a little concerned with the heat situation with a 10,000 rpm drive.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I need ALOT of storage space and I can't afford multiple Raptors in RAID for this project. One really big 7200 RPM ATA 100 drive will have to suffice.

If anyone has a better suggestion than the WD model I posted, I'm all ears. I was looking at a Hitachi drive, but AFAIK they bought out IBM's drive production. Having been burned in the IBM "Deathstar" fiasco, I'm reluctant to buy a drive even remotely attached to IBM.

I've owned Seagate drives, Western Digitals, an IBM (two if you count the one I got back under warranty) and even a Quantum Fireball. The IBM was the only one that ever failed on me.

Anyway, I'm not going to be gaming on this machine at all. I've got the Xbox if I feel like playing games. This is going to be primarily a Home Theater PC and my fiance's email/web box on the side.

[Cyberkreig]

seagate raptor hd > all

10,000 RPM SATA and comes in 72 and 36 gb sizes. Raid 1 and 0 optional.

I own this drive in 72 gig. It is smeggin amazing. NO regret over the extra money spent.

[BadMojo]

I own this drive in 72 gig. It is smeggin amazing. NO regret over the extra money spent.

I can see there's much love for the Raptor in this thread. I can dig it.

What do you think of the rest of the stuff? Does the mobo look decent? Should I buy my DDR in a matched pair instead of just getting two sticks from Crucial? Maybe something from Corsair?

I don't *think* I'm going to need a separate sound card or graphics card (I'll let the onboard stuff take care of that). All of the encoding of the video as well as playback should be taken care of by the Hauppauge PVR card. The audio will be streamed over my network to my stereo through the Media MVP.

[w1ngzer0]

intel > all for pentium processors. After all they made the processor lol.

[s13EastTN]

I would frankly get a better video card. Maybe a 9600 all in wonder (has the tivo thing you want) because it is pretty good for gaming, and doesn't cost too much more than the one you want. Also wouldn't 1 gig of ram on one stick be cheaper than 2 512's? It would also take up less space, and be slightly faster considering there is no chip select (IE making the processor tell which chip the information is on, which only takes a mili-second w/ memory addressing and such, but that adds up over time. But all around sounds like a great media center PC

[w1ngzer0]

I would frankly get a better video card. Maybe a 9600 all in wonder (has the tivo thing you want) because it is pretty good for gaming, and doesn't cost too much more than the one you want. Also wouldn't 1 gig of ram on one stick be cheaper than 2 512's? It would also take up less space, and be slightly faster considering there is no chip select (IE making the processor tell which chip the information is on, which only takes a mili-second w/ memory addressing and such, but that adds up over time. But all around sounds like a great media center PC

duel 512's are cheaper then 1gb due to minitorization technology. Shuving 1gb on 1 stick of plastic or 2.

[MainEvent212]

get a 14" FAL fan to cool it

[BadMojo]

Also wouldn't 1 gig of ram on one stick be cheaper than 2 512's? It would also take up less space, and be slightly faster considering there is no chip select (IE making the processor tell which chip the information is on, which only takes a mili-second w/ memory addressing and such, but that adds up over time. But all around sounds like a great media center PC

Actually, the chipset in the motherboard I'm looking at uses dual channel DDR. There ar two dedicated 64bit memory controllers in the chipset. I should really get a matched pair in order to make sure everything works correctly...I believe Corsair sells some good stuff.

I could go with 2 1GB sticks but then I'd be poor.

The thing with the Hauppauge card is that it's really good at what it does...TV tuner and PVR stuff. I can guarantee that I won't be playing games on this thing. I long since got tired of ****ing around with patches and drivers just trying to get the latest computer game to work. I stick with my XBox to game.

ATI makes a TV Tuner card too, but the Hauppauge seems to have a slight edge in the reviews I've read.

I'm a bit concerned with airflow and heat in this case, so I don't want a high powered AGP card creating any unnecessary heat. I'll have enough with the drive and the processor.

Maybe I do need that 14" FAL fan...do you think it would lift off the ground like a helicopter?

[Rockenreno]

I hate onboard sound. Period. Audigy 2 ZS is so incredibly worth it. Remember that your computer has to be decoding the music as its transferring to your stereo.

If you're worried about money, swap out the processor for an Athlon XP and MSI mobo. I run a 2600+ with the MSI K7N2 Delta-L. Super solid combo and it even plays games.

[hannibal]

Ive heard good things about the hauppage TV card. ATI all in wonder is a good option but I think separate components are better. If your not gaming, onboard video should be alright.I would go with 2 HD drives: a small IDE and big SATA. Use the small one for XP and programs and the larger one for storage. Youre trying to move a lot of data and a faster HD would help. I think SATA 7200rpm is plenty, but Ive never used a raptor or barracuda. SATA drives cost about the same as a IDE drive.

Powerful and silent are dont really get along. But I think your machine will be able to handle DV editing and audio/video encoding.

[w1ngzer0]

my future gaming computerp4 3.2 ghz72gb raptor( ill get another one later :P )ATI x800 PCI express1gb kingston hyper x ddrsome case and some extra fan

that covers it ... lol thats about 900-1000 right there

[BadMojo]

I hate onboard sound. Period. Audigy 2 ZS is so incredibly worth it. Remember that your computer has to be decoding the music as its transferring to your stereo.

That's a good point. The Hauppauge Media MVP actually handles the audio decoding for MP3 files, but I may pick up PCI sound card to handle any other audio formats I might mess around with.

[Cyberkreig]

Should I buy my DDR in a matched pair instead of just getting two sticks from Crucial? Maybe something from Corsair?

Mushkin. No other memory to consider IMHO.

Get a dual 512 pack.

[s13EastTN]

my future gaming computerp4 3.2 ghz72gb raptor( ill get another one later :P )ATI x800 PCI express1gb kingston hyper x ddrsome case and some extra fan

that covers it ... lol thats about 900-1000 right there

your going to get a x800, but PCI? why not go AGP if your going to spend $500 on a video card?

[BadMojo]

your going to get a x800, but PCI? why not go AGP if your going to spend $500 on a video card?

PCI Express is a new standard, replacing AGP.

Back to the memory thing...I know that Mushkin is top of the line stuff, but is there really a big benefit over something from Crucial or Corsair if I'm not going to OC?

[prigo]

I used to understand all that, but then I quit my PC tech job, and pretty much stopped keeping up

[w1ngzer0]

PCI express is better and faster then ghey overheating card falling out agp :P.

Also mr super rad what do you do now??

[s13EastTN]

man, for a computer geek i sure don't stay up to date with all the new fancy gadjets.

[GlacierFreeze]

Tomshardware.com only site you'll ever need hehe.

[Chingon]

although i have not checked prices lately, wouldn't a mpeg4 capture card be a better option instead of the hauppauge? Check divx.com for the latest models.

hmm...i just checked divx.com, and they don't show any encoder cards anymore...