Looking for HTPC build suggestions

[ShldBeStdy]

I am upgrading my PC and would like use the base components from current PC to make a DVR that would replace TWC box, and "compete" with TiVo Premiere XL4. I have a working series one tivo with lifetime, but I cannot convince them to transfer the service to a brand new unit. They lose my business, and I get to have fun building something new. Below is a list of components that will be available for the DVR build (one TV).

-ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
-AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200 Brisbane 2.7GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor ADO5200DOBOX
-ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler (not sure this would fit in a media center case, but would prefer not to have to remove)
-EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D
-Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
-SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B

-CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (laying around my house somewhere, not sure if it would be worth mixing to get 6GB of ram)

I will need a case, but if the case can be hidden it does not need to look nice. I would like at least three tuners. A good SSD for OS, and a HD for storage. A good remote (easy for fiance to use). I will not be able to have a wired connection to internet, so a good wireless option would be helpful. Router and TV will be in different rooms, and fiance will never let me run cable that far. If there is anything I am not thinking about, let me know.

[Bryan]

That looks fairly similar to what I'm using. There are newer, lower-power solutions, but for scavenged parts I'm happy with mine. I'd suggest a different video card, as I recall the 8800GTS is pretty big and probably takes a lot of power. I also don't think it has HDMI, though that may vary. Anyway, I'm using a fanless GT430 that wasn't more than $50 or so. By now there are newer cards similar to it, and the GT430 is easily powerful enough.

Good thinking on the SSD, it made a huge difference for me. For the case, I recently swapped to an nMediaPC 1000b, I'm very happy for the price, it looks good on the shelf, similar to a receiver. I'm happy with my Ceton tuner, there are a few other options as well. I swear by the Logitech Harmony remotes, partly because my wife doesn't have a problem with it.

[choliscott]

Are you planning on using an extender? One other thing to think about is maybe getting 8 GB of ram instead of 4, since the last time I checked, I don't think it was much of a difference in price.

I am upgrading my PC and would like use the base components from current PC to make a DVR that would replace TWC box, and "compete" with TiVo Premiere XL4. I have a working series one tivo with lifetime, but I cannot convince them to transfer the service to a brand new unit. They lose my business, and I get to have fun building something new. Below is a list of components that will be available for the DVR build (one TV).

-ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
-AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200 Brisbane 2.7GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor ADO5200DOBOX
-ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler (not sure this would fit in a media center case, but would prefer not to have to remove)
-EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D
-Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
-SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B

-CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (laying around my house somewhere, not sure if it would be worth mixing to get 6GB of ram)

I will need a case, but if the case can be hidden it does not need to look nice. I would like at least three tuners. A good SSD for OS, and a HD for storage. A good remote (easy for fiance to use). I will not be able to have a wired connection to internet, so a good wireless option would be helpful. Router and TV will be in different rooms, and fiance will never let me run cable that far. If there is anything I am not thinking about, let me know.

[ShldBeStdy]

Not currently going to be using an extender. If we ever hook up another TV, will have to upgrade a little. What about sound? I am not sure if a sound card is needed or not. My video card does not have HDMI. It does have a TV out with a cable that can link to composite connection on back of TV.

[Bryan]

I'd definitely get HDMI. The motherboard has digital audio out (I'm using the coax on mine) so I wouldn't worry about a sound card if you can use that.

[ShldBeStdy]

I was going to get the Ceton InfiniTV 4 (http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-4-pcie/), but when looking under Requirements tab, it states "Note: InfiniTV does not support nForce chipsets." Does this mean it would not work at all with my motherboard?

[richard1980]

I must have received the special InfiniTV that works with nForce chipsets. Either that or the nForce 730i is exempt from Ceton's statement. Or maybe I have been imagining all the TV I have watched over the past 2 years.

[ShldBeStdy]

Thank you. Hopefully it is not an issue.

[Bryan]

My board has the NVIDIA nForce 430 Chipset, no issues with my InfiniTV 4 either. I'd never even seen that. Curious, it's likely some rare issue that caused them to put that in it.

[richard1980]

I'm thinking it must be specific to only certain nForce chipsets, but if that's the case, Ceton should list the problem chipsets, not just make a false blanket statement like they did.

[CoBrA2168]

Are you planning on using an extender? One other thing to think about is maybe getting 8 GB of ram instead of 4, since the last time I checked, I don't think it was much of a difference in price.

I am upgrading my PC and would like use the base components from current PC to make a DVR that would replace TWC box, and "compete" with TiVo Premiere XL4. I have a working series one tivo with lifetime, but I cannot convince them to transfer the service to a brand new unit. They lose my business, and I get to have fun building something new. Below is a list of components that will be available for the DVR build (one TV).

-ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
-AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200 Brisbane 2.7GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor ADO5200DOBOX
-ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler (not sure this would fit in a media center case, but would prefer not to have to remove)
-EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D
-Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
-SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B

-CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (laying around my house somewhere, not sure if it would be worth mixing to get 6GB of ram)

I will need a case, but if the case can be hidden it does not need to look nice. I would like at least three tuners. A good SSD for OS, and a HD for storage. A good remote (easy for fiance to use). I will not be able to have a wired connection to internet, so a good wireless option would be helpful. Router and TV will be in different rooms, and fiance will never let me run cable that far. If there is anything I am not thinking about, let me know.

Unfortunately DDR2 RAM is very expensive right now (it's older than the current DDR3 standard).

I'm going to try moving my InfiniTV to an nForce 680i motherboard. Hopefully it works (even though Ceton says it won't).

[LuckyDay]

Usually when a vendor says something isn't officially supported it means it hasn't been tested fully and they aren't making any guarantees on how well it works. Doesn't mean that it won't work at all, and I imagine a pretty decent amount of people are using them on nForce motherboards with no issue.