Building an HTPC w/XBMC

[fluidman]

I am thinking about putting together a little XBMC box running either vista or xp (not sure what to use yet)

for now i have the following hardware on my list:

Asus M3N78-VM
ATHLON 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHZ
Corsair DDR2 2048MB(2x1024) 800MHz XMS2-6400 2GB 2x240 DIMM
do you think it will be able to play 1080p w/o any problem zúsing the onboard grafic? which cooler and psu should i get to keep the pc as quit as possible?

what cases do u guys suggest? if u have better suggestions for the hardware, please go ahead and let me know...

later on i will get a bluray drive, for now i will just use an existing dvd writer and existing harddrives...

thanks in advance

[Livin]

always...
SEARCH
READ
SEARCH
READ
ASK
... in that order

see http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=39322

[fluidman]

well, thanks for your reply and your good meant suggestions... i have been here for quite some time now, and i have been searching the the forums on this topic already! since i have never built an htpc yet, but others here did, i can use every hints&tips i get.

[RDHoworth]

Don't you just hate self righteous replies?

I am currently running an HTPC with a very similar spec. I upgraded the graphics card from the on-board HDMI ATI 1250, but did not really need to for video playback. The only issue I have is the jittery playback from XBMC that many others have noticed, however, playback from almost all other players is very smooth (as long as you TV has 24Hz capability and you set the refresh rate).

[fluidman]

@RDHoworth: thanks... can u tell me which psu u are using? i think i will get a be quiet one, had them before and was happy with em...

for a remote i might be getting the xbox360 one, sinve i also plan on plaing games on this box and already have a couple of xbox 360 w-less controllers and the usb adaptor for them.

i can't really find a good looking not too expensive case for the whole setup.. grrrrrrr

[RDHoworth]

I am really fussy about the amount of noise these things make, so have probably gon overboard. I am using an Antec Sonata III case. It is not cheap, or small, but shiny black and very quiet.

I have replaced the PSU with a Thermaltake Purepower Dual Power fanless power supply.

I have also installed a silent water cooled unit, the Zalman Reservator 2. I have had to keed a single 12cm fan in the case, but this runs v slowly (silent) and it is the only fan. The system is now vey quiet, the TV makes more noise.

I have also used the MS remote which works v well, but am considering moving to the Logitech DiNovo Mini.

I am generally very happy with this setup, but is is not cheap !!

[fluidman]

Thanks again... hehe.. i will first try the stock cpu cooler and get a cheap Aplus GL-3 case...