New setup Windows or Live XBMC
#1
Well I was planning on just upgrading my current HTPC with a new GT430 video card, but come to find out my mobo is PCI 1.0 and will not support my new video card.

So instead of replacing the mobo and having to go through the hassle of reinstalling windows and all that fun stuff I'm looking into building a new machine for either another windows setup or a possible XBMC Live setup.

I already have a GT430 video card and would prefer to use the 4Gb of DDR2 ram I just bought (although could possibly rma them for a credit).

Must Haves: I my collection is exclusively BluRay rips, so the setup must play all 1080P content and bust also bitstream out all audio codecs for my home theater setup. I also want to use my harmony remote w/ a HP IR receiver for control.

So looking for feedback on processors and mobo's that would be required. I know next to nothing about the XBMC Live setup, so I'm open to what the requirements would be and what would need to be done if it meets the criteria above.
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#2
How many ram sticks is that 4GB? If its two either one of these would be fine:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...rchInDesc=

Plus a cheap AMD CPU.

The trick is to stick to Gigabyte. Best mobo maker period.

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#3
Yes it is a 2x2Gb Corsair DDR2 Value Set. What size processor would I require to run full 1080P, or will a majority of the processing be done by the GPU?

Any advantage to a windows setup to a LIVE setup? Do you require a hard drive for the live setup?
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#4
the GT430 is perfect for offloading all the 1080p processing, go with a cheap CPU instead.
for starters, you can boot live from a USB stick, will take some time but works. when there's some money available, you can always switch to a small SSD instead, poofy will happily give you some ideas about models Wink
OpenElec Standalone --> Asus Chromebox 'Panther' --> Onkyo TX-NR709 --> Sony 55" X85C Android TV (also with Kodi!)
Asus Chromebox EZ Script
Kodi on Sony Bravia Android TVs
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#5
Yeah, I was looking at a Kingston 16gb SSD to go ahead and install Windows 7 since I'm familiar with everything and maybe get that $50 case off of ebay that everyone talks about.
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#6
BTW, never had a mobo with built in video does it cause any problems/conflicts when you install a standalone video card or can it easily be disabled.
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#7
that's usually a BIOS setting, you just go ahead and disable onboard GPU
OpenElec Standalone --> Asus Chromebox 'Panther' --> Onkyo TX-NR709 --> Sony 55" X85C Android TV (also with Kodi!)
Asus Chromebox EZ Script
Kodi on Sony Bravia Android TVs
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#8
Hannes The Hun Wrote:that's usually a BIOS setting, you just go ahead and disable onboard GPU

Cool, that's what I suspected, but never had one....good to know though.
HTPC, Pop Corn C200, 10Tb+ UnRaid server w/Norco case, Integra Pre Amp, Paradigm Signature Surround Sound System, JVC RS2 projector to 131" widescreen
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#9
What do you think of this CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819103714

Been looking at the SSD's and there are so many of them I'm not even sure what to look for, figure I need a minimum of 16gig for windows 7 install.
HTPC, Pop Corn C200, 10Tb+ UnRaid server w/Norco case, Integra Pre Amp, Paradigm Signature Surround Sound System, JVC RS2 projector to 131" widescreen
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#10
OCZs are the best SSDS IMHO. That x2 looks nice.

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#11
BigCity Wrote:Yeah, I was looking at a Kingston 16gb SSD to go ahead and install Windows 7 since I'm familiar with everything and maybe get that $50 case off of ebay that everyone talks about.

What may that be?
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#12
Mach13 Wrote:What may that be?

Can't find the actual thread now but here's a link to the auction. Seems like a decent deal, but I had a larger ATX mobo that I purchased so I got one off of newegg wiht the rest of my hardware.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0581788500
HTPC, Pop Corn C200, 10Tb+ UnRaid server w/Norco case, Integra Pre Amp, Paradigm Signature Surround Sound System, JVC RS2 projector to 131" widescreen
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#13
Here's the final hardware for the build:

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819103714
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128424
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811144231
SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227550

Already have 2x2Gb Corsair value pack ram, and a GT430 video card.
HTPC, Pop Corn C200, 10Tb+ UnRaid server w/Norco case, Integra Pre Amp, Paradigm Signature Surround Sound System, JVC RS2 projector to 131" widescreen
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#14
Love it all. Cool APEVIA case- a new one for me.

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#15
Yeah, seemed to fit the bill for what I was looking for in a case, I have an older Coolance tower, but didn't want something so huge sitting around so went ahead and popped on the new one since it had a rebate. Now I just have to wait until first of next week for all of it to arrive. Thanks for the feedback Poofy, I'm sure I'll be back when it comes time to get the harmony working.
HTPC, Pop Corn C200, 10Tb+ UnRaid server w/Norco case, Integra Pre Amp, Paradigm Signature Surround Sound System, JVC RS2 projector to 131" widescreen
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New setup Windows or Live XBMC0