Nov 17 2009

Fired up this baby for the first time.

I’m loving it!  Fired up my HTPC for the first time, so far I have already installed Windows 7, the hardware drivers, and some updates, now to get it all setup for playing movies.

This is a thing of beauty.  The performance is amazing, and it makes almost no sound at all.  I can’t wait to test out it’s gaming capabilities even though that’s not going to be a major focus of this build.  Mostly I’m going to use this for HD playback.

Once I get everything setup I’ll post pictures of the build and specifics on the hardware and software.

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Nov 12 2009

Progress made, but not quite done yet.

I have everything now except for the optical drive and the RAM. The project is almost complete, and I can’t wait to fire this baby up. I hope everything starts off without a hitch, but I have this weird feeling that I’m going to face some obstacle.

So far, everything together, the case is really cramped. Everything just barely fits, I hope the optical drive doesn’t add too much to that…

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Nov 11 2009

Building my first “from-scratch” computer.

So I finally decided to fund my first, fully from scratch, computer.  This project is particularly special, because I’m specifically building an HTPC.

I made a list of features that I wanted it to have:

  • Supports 1080p without any lag since it will be connected to my big screen LCD TV.
  • Able to play games relatively well.
  • Needs to be small (mini-ITX)
  • Consumes very low power since I will have it on all the time.
  • Generates very little heat (which is pretty much the same as low power)

Based on all of this, I ended up choosing the following hardware:

  • Zotac Motherboard, Atom330 Processor, and Nvidia Ion GPU
  • 4GB RAM 800 Mhz – Corsair
  • 1TB HDD – Western Digital
  • USB TV Tuner
  • Thermaltake Mini-ITX HTPC Case

It will be running Windows 7, and it’s primary function will be Windows Media Center; however, I will also use it as my primary computer in my room.  I already have a wireless keyboard and mouse that I will continue to use with it, and I’ll use my ipod touch as a wireless media remote.

So far I have received the Motherboard, TV Tuner and RAM, and I’m expecting the HDD tomorrow and the case next week sometimes.  More on this after it all comes together!

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