HTPC for XBMC, how about this hardware?

[boba23]

Hey folks,

here I am still wondering what components to buy for my future magic XBMC Linux box :-) Since my good old xbox still does its job very well I am not in a real hurry, but some HD/FULL HD support would be really nice ;-)
Alright, here is what I am planning to get:

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H 780G
AMD Athlon64 4850e
2048MB DDR2RAM
250GB 3,5" Samsung SpinPoint HD250HJ
DVD Samsung SH-D163
MSI 256MB 8500GT-MTD256EH HDMI Passive PCIe (In case onboard ATI sucks *grin* plus I want component out, too)
Antec Fusion Black 430 Case

Is this setup sufficient to play up 2 1080p content with XBMC on Linux? I hope that at least the nvidia card is well supported under linux for HD playback ...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

boba

[zAo_OSX]

Thinking of the same hardware (different Case), but without the NV VGA card. Seems enough to play most 1080p.

Don't forget to buy a remote ;)

[boba23]

Well alright, the remote is of course included, just forgot to mention it ;-)
So you do think that the onboard ATI + CPU is ok to play 1080p? Though there is no video accel for ATI under Linux? I thought Nvidia drivers for linux would be better than ATI?

boba

[zAo_OSX]

Nvidia drivers are better, but they also lack HW Accel in Linux. I think it does play 1080p, but just not the killer-sample.

[boba23]

Nvidia drivers are better, but they also lack HW Accel in Linux. I think it does play 1080p, but just not the killer-sample.

Btw, what case are you getting? From what I saw, Antec was the best compromise regarding low-noise/looks.
Didn't find many other cases that took 120mm fans, which are pretty silent, at least the low-rpm ones.

boba

[rodalpho]

2.5Ghz A64 X2 is pretty close to the edge for 1080p. It'll probably work OK.

The antec cases are great, I love my NSK2480, which is basically the fusion without the LCD screen and remote receiver. Thoughtfully designed, cool-running, and quiet.

[Razor_109]

i will be recieving my components for my HTPC tommorow,

I also ordered a Antec Fusion case but i chose the v2 Silver model instead of the black one.
I read the Black version uses a different type of iMON screen, i think it's LCD instead of VFD which the Silver V2 version uses.

Also check the support under linux for the screen of the black version, i read some posts that it was not supported.. but that may have changed.

I chose this setup:

- Abit Motherboard Geforce 7100 / Nforce 630i board with HDMI out
- E8400 with Scythe Ninja Mini
- 2 GB RAM
- Antec Fusion v2 Silver

The Scyte Ninja Mini fits perfectly in the Antec and will do its job passively most of the times.

I chose the E8400 for the low power/heat, and to have some spare CPU power.. to make sure it wont drop any frames at any time.

I know the onboardvideo might be a little weak but thats the first thing i'll upgrade but i didnt know which card to buy.. i would like a passive one with HDMI out, but also somewhat suitable for gaming maybe.. what looking for a 8600GT but those are too big for the case i think.

[rodalpho]

I run an e4500 overclocked to 3Ghz with a 630i (7150 though, not 7100) and it works fine with onboard video. I can't play the birds clip without stuttering, but everything else plays great.

[zAo_OSX]

I'm still looking for a good case. The Antec Fusion is really great, but it's 1cm wider than most audio-parts...

@Razor: why didn't you buy the new 8200 nv chipset?

[Razor_109]

@Razor: why didn't you buy the new 8200 nv chipset?

Because i wanted an Intel CPU and there is no 8200 nv chipset supporting Intel as far as i know.