HTPC Build

[ixnay]

A couple months ago my GF bumped into my computer while she was cleaning and killed it! Seriously, the computer went off and so did all the power in the room when she bumped it, crazy I know! So, I reset the breaker for the room and tried everything to get it to power up, no luck! I tested the power supply using the paperclip trick to see if it worked, no success.

 

Fast forward, I built a new gaming system and it works like a charm.

 

I recently ordered a new power supply for the other system with hopes that the only thing that was fried through the mishap was the PSU. It should be here within a couple of days. If everything else is fine and it works when I install the new PSU, I am wanting to turn it into an HTPC/PVR (whatever you want to call it). The only thing that I really need to order/purchase is a card for recording and saving TV/Cable/Satellite programs (mainly cable-Comcast).

 

I have been looking at the Hauppage Colossus card. It seems to have everything that I am looking for to achieve success, but in reality, I am hoping someone here who has the expertise in this particular area can chime in and offer some advice. I would really like to see Linus make a video on building an HTPC and the process of hooking it up to the tv and setting up the software. I am not sure if he has or not, but it would be cool to see, as I have yet to see a really decent video tutorial of the whole process with good explanations.

 

Ok, sorry for the rambling. If, in fact when that the power supply comes in and I get it installed and the computer is basically fried, I would also like suggestions on a build for an HTPC (Mobo/processor/Case/etc)

 

Thanks for your time....

[Godlygamer23]

You wouldn't be able to knock my computer over. It's like 60lbs. That being said, what is your budget?

[Ertman]

Budget?

Needs/requirements? Just typical htpc duties? Size? Power consumption importance? Heat noise? Capabilities?

[ixnay]

I was thinking something that I could place in a box styled case opposed to the tower look. I would prefer that it ran fairly quiet and it's main purpose would be to record shows off cable. If it is possible, I would like the luxury of being able to record movies and/or netflix. But, that is not a priority. I would also like the added luxury if possible, to wach DVD's or youtube videos from it too, but not a priority at all. If you know of any other cool features I could add to the coolness of this, feel free to throw them at me, as I am an open book right now. 

 

As far as budget, not really. Ideally, I would like to stay at or just under a grand, but that just depends on what you guys open my eyes up to and what I finalize and decide on.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, you guys are fast!

[ixnay]

*Update*

 

The old computer still works! I installed a new power supply and everything runs fine. I wiped everything out and gave it a clean install (Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit)

Specs of the old computer:

i7 920 @ 2.67GHZ

Nvidia GTX 560

EVGA X58 SLI

Corsair Dominator DDR3 12GB (Overkill yes)

2 HDD

-WD Velociraptor 250GB 

-WD Caviar Green 1TB

 

Looking to order the Hauppage Colossus

[applesuxD]

Human error man dont be mad at hur

Anyways if your going full quality 4k kinda magical experience 7.1

Here you go

[PCPartPicker part list]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/c2hRRB) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/c2hRRB/by_merchant/)(

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [AMD A8-7600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad7600ybjabox) | $87.99 @ NCIX US

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Vortex Plus 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rrvtps28pkr1) | $25.99 @ Newegg

**Motherboard** | [MSI A68HM-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-a68hme33) | $49.98 @ SuperBiiz

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9s8gxm) | $60.30 @ Newegg

**Storage** | [Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sv300s37a120g) | $50.99 @ NCIX US

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st3000dm001) | $96.88 @ OutletPC

**Case** | [silverstone GD09B HTPC Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-gd09b) | $69.99 @ Amazon

**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-120g10650xr) | $67.99 @ NCIX US

**Optical Drive** | [LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-wh14ns40) | $52.98 @ OutletPC

**Sound Card** | [Asus Xonar Essence STX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-sound-card-xonaressencestx) | $179.49 @ SuperBiiz

| | **Total**

| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $742.58

| Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-31 15:19 EST-0500 |

If your on a budget..

Get a a6 apu

Hptc case

4gb ram

Mobo

And your fine for 1080

[ixnay]

Got it up and running!

.

I ordered the Ceton InfinitiTV6Pcie Tuner card and Logitech k400r wireless keyboard for the remote.

Ordered Windows Home Premium

Contacted cable company and they deliverd CableCard.

Once everything was in place and installed I ran setup using Windows Media Center.

 

At first there was a small issue with the cable providers side relating to the CableCard not being activated correctly. A phone call with activation fixed the issue.

Everything works and looks great. I can watch one channel and record from another. Also, I can hook up to 6 devices and record from them at once. So far I am very satisfied how everything turned out!