Help me build an HTPC

[IBJanky]

Here is a great place to learn all about XBMC. I'm just getting into it myself. I researched for about a month before I decided on the Revo. XBMC is definitely a project, but I think the end result is worth it. Have fun!

Matt

Thanks! Just discovered that forum as well.

This should be fun.

myke

 

[IBJanky]

Parts came in, UPS man came through:

myke

 

[IBJanky]

Chaos:

Gotta clean it up, just wanted to see if it would start up:

Installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, updated drivers, thing is running fine. And did I mention it's QUIET?

Power supply hasn't blown up yet.

myke

 

[Blain]

You seem to be under the impression that poor quality power supplies "blow up".
In most cases they don't make a sound, simply supply dirty power or damage other components.
But I'm sure there are poor quality power supplies that live long healthy lives.
Either situation should work out well for you since you're a gambler.

 

[IBJanky]

You seem to be under the impression that poor quality power supplies "blow up".
In most cases they don't make a sound, simply supply dirty power or damage other components.
But I'm sure there are poor quality power supplies that live long healthy lives.
Either situation should work out well for you since you're a gambler.

I think I'll take my chances. If it does for some reason die, I'll just get another PSU.

Enjoy your life, as I do mine.

myke

 

[jae]

Hahahaha! you bought a Raidmax power supply..idiot.

 

[IBJanky]

Progress pics...

Cleaned up the insides of the HTPC best I could.

I ran into a little problem, as I had only one ethernet cable that runs into the living room and I had to connect both my PS3 and my new HTPC.

I found an old D-Link router in my garage and used it as a switch. Now everything is hooked up

I made some room in my entertainment center and was finally able to move the HTPC into the living room. I was messing with it in my bedroom for the last couple days.

Testing it out on my 63" Samsung plasma:

myke

 

[IBJanky]

Hahahaha! you bought a Raidmax power supply..idiot.

 

[fffblackmage]

I wouldn't be worried if the power supply blows up. It's not the only way a power supply can fail. It's also cheap relative to the rest of the computer anyways.

Power supplies don't always supply its rated output capacity. Some can't even manage to provide half its rated output.

12V DC doesn't mean 12V DC. There are always some ripples and the ability of the PSU to regulate it's voltage output with respect to a given load. These attributes are usually worse in cheaper power supplies, because, well, the cheapness comes from using less components to regulate and smooth out the output.

In addition to all that, a good PSU will typically have some sort of overvoltage protection and whatnot - basically, features to avoid damaging your computer in the event the PSU isn't working properly. You may or may not find this in some cheaper units.

 

[mfenn]

I think I'll take my chances. If it does for some reason die, I'll just get another HTPC.

Enjoy your life, as I do mine.

myke

FTFY

 

[IBJanky]

FTFY

Thanks!

I'll make sure to give you monthly updates on my PSU status

myke

 

[IBJanky]

FINALLY!

After connecting all cables, we are finally in business!

Here's what the A/V rack looks like now:

Starting from top:

Center speaker
Onkyo receiver
Verizon FiOS box
PS3
HTPC

All video inputs are connected to the receiver via HDMI and only ONE output HDMI cable goes from the receiver to the Samsung plasma.

Closeup of new HTPC:

XBMC running:

Playing a movie with the new HTPC:

(Guess which movie?)

Other random shots:

Thanks to all those that helped

Yet another reason to smile, I'm a happy camper

myke

ps.
The cheapo Raidmax PSU hasn't blown up yet. Woohoo!

 

[master7045]

what worries me more about your choice of PSU is the fact that you stopped on "The Human Centipede" to take a picture. Since everyone is throwing in their .02, I'll add mine. I think that PSU will work just fine for you. Most Dell/HP/insert your OEM flavor of the week use cheap PSU's to keep cost down and there hasn't been any major public outcry due to PSU's failing at an abnormal rate. Enjoy you're HTPC and the fact that you saved some bucks.
I know plenty of people who have used Dynex PSU's in their build without issue. To each his own.

 

[maddog808]

Sweet setup. I'm guessing the wall with the A/V rack backs up to a closet? How do you like XBMC so far? Which skin are you using?

Matt

 

[IBJanky]

Sweet setup. I'm guessing the wall with the A/V rack backs up to a closet? How do you like XBMC so far? Which skin are you using?

Matt

Thanks!

The A/V racks goes into a storage room where I keep my gun safe. It's not really being used besides that so I figured I'd cut into the wall and slide the cabinet in to keep it flush with the wall.

All wires are in that storage room and out of sight.

My goal was to keep it pretty slick and clean and I think I've accomplished that.

XBMC is pretty cool, but I still have a lot to learn as far as customizing and tweaks and all that. Right now I am just using the default skin (Confluence?) but it's pretty cool so far. I might switch out to the Aeon skin later on.

myke

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, here's my logic:

If all Raidmax PSUs are so unreliable and/or tend to blow up, then, how are they still in the PSU business?

Why does it get decent reviews on Newegg.com? I know it's not perfect but overall, not horrible either.

Because of people like you.

Edit: Anyways, nice pics. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad it works out for you, and I hope it continues to do so. That's the primary problem with lower-quality PSUs - it's a gamble. You save a few bucks, but they might just one day fail catastrophically.

I had that happen to a client's machine, the first one for me so far. (Edit: The first one that blew up, not my first client.) I built a P4 single-core rig with integrated video, something cheap and not fancy. I used a Dynex case with included 350W PSU (Allied brand), and it ended up blowing up and burning out. She said it smelled horrible.

I was lucky, it didn't toast the rest of the system, and I was able to simply replace the PSU (with something a tiny bit nicer), and she was back in business. (I used a spare TR-430 that I had lying around. Not top-quality, but better than generic, and even moreso, AFAIK it has all of the usual protection mechanisms included. Unlike cheapos like Raidmax.)

 

[betasub]

Because of people like you.

LOL. 'tis funny because it's true.

It just seemed a strange way to save a couple of bucks when everything else was quality.

Edit: Thanks for the pictures, Janky

 

[mfenn]

LOL. 'tis funny because it's true.

It just seemed a strange way to save a couple of bucks when everything else was quality.

Edit: Thanks for the pictures, Janky

Yeah, after seeing that sweet home theater set up, I am really scratching my head as to why he cheaped out on that part.

 

[jae]

Don't they always skimp on the heart of the PC..

 

[Davidh373]

Unless I'm mistaken, I don't remember ever asking for advice.

I asked for an opinion of my build. Not advice.

Two totally different things.

I never asked, "What should I buy?"

myke

ps.
Thanks for calling me a hard headed little boy

Your build is horrible because of the PSU and Motherboard. Go play Halo on Xbox Live troll. When your computer explodes don't come crying to us. I can't talk for anyone else, but I would totally LMAO!