Going to buy an HTPC

[msankadi]

Hi

During the past few days I have taken a lot of help from you guys and the info you have posted and have finally decided on the config that I want for my HTPC. You might notice that I have tried to make a future proof model as much as possible. I am not going for a video card right now since I will be using it to watch mainly bluray and HD movies, which the onboard graphics should be able to support. I have tried to pick a system which I can add a graphics card later if need be.

Please guide me if you think some of these components dont mix and match well since I am sur eyou guys know a lot about this.


Monitor Dell ST 2220L (HDMI Model)
Motherboard GA-880GMA-UD2H
MSI 880GMA-E45
Cabinet Coolermaster 690 II Plus (Transparent)
CPU CPU AMD Phenom II 945 X4
HDD Barracuda 7200.12 SATA 3Gb/s 1TB Hard Drive *ST31000528AS
RAM 2 x DDR III Kingston 2 Gb 1333 mhz
DVD Writer Liteon SATA Black 24X
PSU Corsair Power 450VX
Earphones Soundmagic PL11
Kboard & Mice Logitech K&M Combo
UPS Numeric 1KVA
Speakers (Optional) Altec Lansing VS2621


Apart from your advice in general on the config I have the following specific doubts:

1. Monitor: In the <9k range I have found this monitor the best for my use since I need an HDMI port as well for Xbox. I am not able to find this anywhere on the net (tried SMC not on site waiting for mail reply). DO you know where I can get one of these? If I buy from Dell how much do they give it for?

2. Motherboard: I havent been able to find the gigabyte motherboard as well and I consulted Jas and he said the MSI board should be fine too. Featurewise I think both of them are great. Do you guys think MSI has any added drawbacks? Service? Replacement?

3. I am trying to keep the system around 40k at the moment and according to my research I should be able to get this config in <40k

4. I reside in Bangalore and some of the items are not available at BW online here and I am planning to ship them from SMC. Is it safe to order online from them? What if something breaks during transit, who pays for that?

I know it is a big mail and probably taxing for you guys to go through all the details, but I appreciate all the help you have provided me so far, now I just need the final push

Thanks in advance
MnVn

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

I am also planning that same monitor and smc have it. Now hope they have 2 in stock atleast .

 

[ssb1551]

^^...pray that no one else takes the monitor before you 2!!

 

[msankadi]

I might as well go for Benq E2200 as well...it has nice reviews and has the connectivity options as well..I guess Dell's warranty would be better though...any ideas?

 

[jking]

Between the 2 motherboards given by you, MSI has 2 PCI-Ex1 slot where as gigabyte has only one PCI-Ex1 slot. But gigabyte has optical out,eSATA,IEEE1394 ports which are missing in MSI. Additionally you can also look for ASUS M4A88TD-V-EVO/USB3

 

[msankadi]

Between the 2 motherboards given by you, MSI has 2 PCI-Ex1 slot where as gigabyte has only one PCI-Ex1 slot. But gigabyte has optical out,eSATA,IEEE1394 ports which are missing in MSI. Additionally you can also look for ASUS M4A88TD-V-EVO/USB3

Thanks for the suggestions...I dont need IEEE since I am going to buy SATA and I prefer USB3 over eSata so both of these arent a problem...is the Optical out used to export display from the monitor??

I will check the Evo version but I am getting a feeling that it is going to be a bit more expensive and as of now I am thinking of stretching my budget to get a 24" display instead of a 22" one...so I guess if it doesnt have many extra features I will stick to either of the 2...

On that note which 24" monitor do you guys think is the best - till around 12k??

Thanks again for all the help

MnVn

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

@jking..
Gigabyte has extra pcix4 which can be used as pcix1 also.


@msankadi

can you post review of E2200HD?

now coming to config. can you tell whether it will be used as HTPC only or you will use it for games later with gfx card?

 

[pegasus]

Check out ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3 - 6.3K approx (HD4250, SidePort Memory, SB850, SATA 6Gbps, USB 3.0, ...)
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
to get a rough idea on prices- *www.deltapage.com/list/index.html

 

[jking]

Thanks for the suggestions...I dont need IEEE since I am going to buy SATA and I prefer USB3 over eSata so both of these arent a problem...is the Optical out used to export display from the monitor??

I will check the Evo version but I am getting a feeling that it is going to be a bit more expensive and as of now I am thinking of stretching my budget to get a 24" display instead of a 22" one...so I guess if it doesnt have many extra features I will stick to either of the 2...

On that note which 24" monitor do you guys think is the best - till around 12k??

Thanks again for all the help

MnVn

USB3 is available in all 3 models mentioned in this case. eSATA is used if you have an eHDD with eSATA port.

Optical output is for digital audio out, which can be connected to AVRs.

I got Samsung P2370MS(23 inches) Full HD Monitor for 13.5K and I am extremely happy with the performance. It comes with remote.

 

[msankadi]

@Jking thanks for the info...

I cannot afford to put 13.5 k in my budget..but I am going with the Samsung B2330H and it has an HDMI port too so that should keep me happy

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

you didnt ans my querry -

now coming to config. can you tell whether it will be used as HTPC only or you will use it for games later with gfx card?

 

[msankadi]

Maybe I will use it with games but that is just 10-20% chance for a PC exclusive game...but looking at all the threads and techtree I have decided to go with Dell SP2309W now after increasing my budget

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

For HTPC config this is more-10 than sufficient.

Amd Athlon II x3 435 @ 3.5k
Gigabyte GA 880GMA UD2H @ 5.5k
G.Skill 2GB DDR3 1333MHz @ 1.5k
Sapphire HD5550 1GB @ 4.3k
Seagate 1TB 7200.12 * 2 @ 5.6k
LG 22X SATA DVD @ 0.9
Corsair VX450W @ 3.7k
NZXT GAMMA @ 2k
Dell Ultrasharp U2311H @ 14k

Total - 41k

that psu will allow u to add any mid range card in future. Spend the rest on sound card and speakers if u want. That display is best in that range.

 

[msankadi]

Yeah I was thinking of buying the same monitor but the problem is that it has no HDMI. I cannot compromise on the HDMI port since I want to play Xbox on the HDMI port and missing that doesnt make sense.

What other option do you think I can go for? I want to stick with Dell or Samsung because I dont want to risk the after sales assistance. Also, the Dell Sp2309W which earlier had the HDMI ports and all is no longer available with that port Just confirmed with SMC about that too and it is indeed true.

Any other options for the monitor? Budget I can go upto 15k max.

 

[kadirmkarthik]

Yeah I was thinking of buying the same monitor but the problem is that it has no HDMI. I cannot compromise on the HDMI port since I want to play Xbox on the HDMI port and missing that doesnt make sense.

you can connect through hdmi-dvi cable without losing visual quality. monitor doesnt need audio signals unless it has built in speakers so i think dvi will be sufficient. moreover u2311h has displayport which is claimed to be working like hdmi. i dont know whether xbox has display port. reviews says u2311h is good.you can check out youtube for its performance.
i have just booked for the u2311h.

 

[msankadi]

Yeah I am almost settling on that and found a cable on Us website which can transmit sound over DVI to HDMI cable using a separate audio line and then it makes sense because I can connect to Xbox...here is the cable I am talking about: </title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="*www.mycablemart.com/store/css/ds.css"> <meta name="title" content="10/20/10"/> <meta name="description" content="ALT PRODUCT: <SALES-CAT>HDMI Cables</SALES-CAT>"/> <meta name="keywords" con

How much did you get it for? Did you check the reviews of one Acer monitor H23H or something I am going to check that and then finalize..

MnVn

 

[kadirmkarthik]

Yeah I am almost settling on that and found a cable on Us website which can transmit sound over DVI to HDMI cable using a separate audio line and then it makes sense because I can connect to Xbox...here is the cable I am talking about: </title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="*www.mycablemart.com/store/css/ds.css"> <meta name="title" content="10/20/10"/> <meta name="description" content="ALT PRODUCT: <SALES-CAT>HDMI Cables</SALES-CAT>"/> <meta name="keywords" con

How much did you get it for? Did you check the reviews of one Acer monitor H23H or something I am going to check that and then finalize..

MnVn

dell officially quote it for 14.7k my assembler quoted for 14.3k.but in smc its just 13.4k.then i have booked it and will be getting in 2 days i think...
i didnt saw reviews bout acer thing... so howz tat?

 

[msankadi]

Hi Karthik

One question...I am also thinking of getting the same from SMC...I want to know will SMC give the Dell invoice (Order number etc) along with the monitor so that I can get service directly from Dell and dont have to worry contacting SMC about it?

 

[kadirmkarthik]

dear msankadi,
i didnt book it from SMC but with my assembler, so that i can take tat to him in case of warranty or some probs. he s a nice chap and will do good to me i guess.he s taking much time but i m ready to wait. then reg SMC i think others can help you.