Quiet, simple HTPC specs

[jcato]

I've decided to build a new HTPC for the bedroom. This will connect to a cheap 24" TV with s-video and mono sound input. The main function of this HTPC is to be a client for SageTV. It should also be able to play music, DVDs, and videos. But there will be no need for it to do any hardcore things like ripping CDs/DVDs or encoding anything or heavy gaming.

Since it will be in the bedroom, it should be quiet, too. Oh, it should be as inexpensive as possible, while still providing enough power to do what I want.

After looking around, I've come up with the following:

Case           $42.00   Athenatech A100-BB
Case Fan       $ 5.00   Zalman ZM-F1
Mainboard      $80.00   Asus P4R800-VM
TV-out bracket $15.00   Asus AV/S
CPU            $63.00   Celeron 2.0 GHz
Memory         $47.00   Kingston ValueRAM PC3200 256MB
Hard Drive     $58.00   Samsung 40GB
DVD-ROM        $30.00   Samsung SD-616EEPB
IR Rec/Trans   $55.00   USB-UIRT
OS             $91.00   Windows XP Home

I think that's everything I'd need, did I miss anyhting? Keyboard and mouse will be leftovers laying around. Main control will come from a remote using the USB-UIRT. Total comes up to $510 with shipping. I'd like it to be a little cheaper, but I'm not sure where I could cut back.

I think this is a pretty good system for its intended purpose, but any suggestions would be welcomed. The biggest questions I have is about the P4R800. I can't find any reviews on it, is anybody else using it? I think it is pretty new, so that might be why. It is also unclear if the TV-out bracket is the correct one. Also, I have 2 computers running XP Pro, but I've never used XP Home before. Will I regret not spending the extra $50 or so bucks?


Thanks!

[cassis6]

I have been using the P4R800 with 2 PVR-250 for about 6 weeks. The system is my primary system and is on 24/7. After resolving some driver issues for the PVR-250, it has been flawless.

[Xleon]

For me personally, the 2.0Ghz CPU is a little high if you want a quiet PC. The more heat generated the more fan noise you get.
I think you'g get away with a slightly lowered powered CPU which would also be cheaper.

Once built, you can monitor the heat generated in the case and if it's acceptable, you could re-wire the fans to use 7V (instead of 0V and 5V lines, use 7V and 12V) to make the fans a lot quieter.

You could also get some noise insulating material like you can get for use in cars with large stereos which also helps keep the noise down.

If you can get a 5400rpm harddrive as apposed to a 7200rpm or 10000rpm as these run cooler and quieter as well as being cheaper.

[Grasshopper]

If you already have a Win XP Pro CD, you can just buy another license (for $74 plus shipping, check pricewatch.com), you don't need to spend $91 on an XP Home CD. Hey, fifteen bucks is fifteen bucks, right?

One reason XP Pro might be a better choice than Home for this application is the Remote Desktop feature. If you're not going to have a keyboard and mouse plugged in to this PC all the time, it might be easier to do maintenance, system updates, and the like remotely from another PC on your network.

[Xleon]

NEVER use remote desktop

It's unstable and has a frightening amount of holes to allow hackers in.

Use the freeware RVNC at:

http://www.realvnc.com/

[jcato]

Originally posted by Xleon
For me personally, the 2.0Ghz CPU is a little high if you want a quiet PC. The more heat generated the more fan noise you get.
I think you'g get away with a slightly lowered powered CPU which would also be cheaper.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not sure about this. I want to use a socket 478 so I can upgrade to a P4 later. Socket 478 Celerons start at 1.7GHz. According to Intel's website the 1.7 outputs 63.5W, the 1.8 66.1W and the 2.0 only 52.8W. It seems like the 2.0GHz is the coolest. I think it might be because it uses .13micron structure as oppose it the .18 the other 2 use.

Originally posted by Xleon
If you can get a 5400rpm harddrive as apposed to a 7200rpm or 10000rpm as these run cooler and quieter as well as being cheaper.

True, but 5400 are getting kind of hard to find. The Samsung is suppose to one of the quietest and coolest running drives around.

Originally posted by Grasshopper
If you already have a Win XP Pro CD, you can just buy another license (for $74 plus shipping, check pricewatch.com)

Really?!? I did not know that. I would rather use Pro since that is what is on the other machines. Thanks!!

Originally posted by Xleon
NEVER use remote desktop
It's unstable and has a frightening amount of holes to allow hackers in.

Use the freeware RVNC at:

http://www.realvnc.com/

I do use RD occasionally now. Would hackers be a problem if both computers are on the same network behind a Linksys Router/Firewall? I'm pretty sure my computers are hidden form the internet. I'll look into the VNC thing, though. Thanks

[stanger89]

I don't see a power supply listed, those tend to be one of the loudest parts of a computer, especially the ones bundled with cases. Might want to look here:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/module...rtid=28&page=3

I've had good luck with my 275W (I think) Fortron PS with a 120mm fan (they don't have it any more, these are just rated higher).
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...=fortron%2C120

FWIW it's running this:
2.4G P4B (will go to 3.0G if I want)
BE7 (845PE)
512Mb Corsair XMS
Sapphire Radeon 9500
WinTV PVR 250
M-Audio Revolution
WD 200Gb SE
3ware Escalade 6400
3x Maxtor D740X (40Gb RAID-0)

Nothin' but stable, even at 3GHz (I don't generally run there, there's no point except for 1080p WM9).

[Xleon]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not sure about this. I want to use a socket 478 so I can upgrade to a P4 later. Socket 478 Celerons start at 1.7GHz. According to Intel's website the 1.7 outputs 63.5W, the 1.8 66.1W and the 2.0 only 52.8W. It seems like the 2.0GHz is the coolest. I think it might be because it uses .13micron structure as oppose it the .18 the other 2 use.

You're probably right there. I didn't realise there was a architechture change between those speeds. Go with the coolest one of the bunch then.

The PSU fans are quite noisey. If the heat build up isn't too bad in your case, then you can re-wire the PSU fans to run at 7V as well like I have with no issues at all.

[justme]

Xleon said:you could re-wire the fans to use 7V (instead of 0V and 5V lines, use 7V and 12V) to make the fans a lot quieter.

Maybe this is a dumb question but: What difference does it make if the fans are running off a ground(0V) to 5V setup compared to a 7V to 12V setup? In both cases the voltage difference is equal(5V) and since both are DC the fan's impedance/resistance shouldn't change so the only variable left is current but V/R=I or Ohm's law. So, is the 12V line of the PC's power supply current limited lower than the 5V line?

Or is it just a typo:
I believe a standard PC power setup use 0V +-5V and +-12V, but positive voltage for the drive cables. So I'm guessing you meant to say "instead of using the standard 0v to +12V connection you could use the +5V and +12V connection to achive a voltage difference of 7Volts instead of the normal 12Volt difference." The only other option would be to use a 0V to +5V connection. This would be considerably lower in voltage at 5Volts so therfore quieter still. But for the 7Volt, I'm not sure about the safety of running current across the +5 and +12 rails. Do you have a source/link so I can check some of these configs out? I'm sorry I honestly don't mean to quiz you or try and point out a possible mistake, I just don't see how the original setup could be done as stated.

[Xleon]

Sorry, you're right it was a typo. Typing fast as I'm at work !
Normal fans are 0V and 12V. Slowing them down between 5V and 12V cuts it down to 7V across the fans.

I don't have a site to take you to for proof of safety, but I can say I have 3 'Always On' PCs which have run 24hrs for almost 3 years and they all have had this mode done to all the fans in them and they are still running fine today.

No problems. The PSUs handle the very low power required by the fans fine.