Critique on parts list / system?

[ToonGal]

229 ? Dig Connect'n Case Kanam Accent Black HTPC Desktop ATX w/VFD, model HT200B [6.5" (H) x 17"(W) x 16" (D)]
59 --0 NewEgg PSU Enermax 350W Whisper Dual Fan P4 ATX, model EG365P-VE FCA
140 --0 NewEgg Motherboard Intel 865PE Chipset ATX Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU, model "BOXD865PERLL" -RETAIL
187 --0 NewEgg CPU Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology, model# BX80532PG2800D - Retail
43 5 NewEgg CPU HSF Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Pure Copper CPU Cooler for Intel Socket 478, Model# CNPS7000A-Cu
195 --0 NewEgg Memory Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model# KVR400X64C3AK2/1G - Retail
99 --0 NewEgg Video Card ATI Radeon 9200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL
139 --0 NewEgg Capture Card Hauppauge PCI TV Tuner Card, Model "WinTV-PVR 250" -RETAIL (get rev 16 + silver remote)
168 --0 NewEgg Hard Disk Main Western Digital 200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD2000JD, OEM Drive Only
232 --0 NewEgg Hard Disk PVR Western Digital 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD2500JD, OEM Drive Only
86 --0 NewEgg DVD/CD Drive RICOH Black DVD+RW/+R Drive, Model RW5240A Black, OEM
75 --0 NewEgg Keyboard+Mouse Logitech Cordless MX Duo
Operating Sys Windows 2000 SP4
PVR SageTV v1.4.10
Media InterVideo WinDVD, MusicMatch
P2P eMule, mIRC, DC++, TorrentStorm, WinMX, BPFTP Server
Monitoring Motherboard Monitor (MBM5), NetLimiter
Remote Access DynSite for Windows, RealVNC

Just with this list, I'm at $1650, and that doesn't include SageTV s/w or anything else. Just wanted to make sure this configuration was sound before shelling out $$. Last minute questions:

1) Video card: I picked the radeon 9200, because I'm guessing I just have to composite out to my television. Do I need a monitor? Does the interface just display on my TV? Do I use both TV/monitor? Would the speed/power of a 9600 really buy me anything worthwhile? For that matter, does the TV part of the AIW versions add any value given the Hauppauge cards? Can I watch DivX files from this server with all of these cards?

2) TV card: How do I best verify a rev 16 card w/ silver remote when ordering? Serial #? Box type? Does it matter? Until I start using this actual machine, I don't want to commit to any PVR software yet, although SageTV looks like a clear winner. The plan is to add the 250/Sage bundle after I decide >=v1.4.10 is the way I'm going (15 days of shareware). Would the Sage 250 likely be the same revision and/or compatible with the NewEgg one?

3) HD setup: I am buying two HD's, the main one for O/S, mp3, and p2p storage, the other for PVR storage. I'm thinking of allocating 10-20 GB on the 'main' one for the O/S partition, and the remainder for 'data'. Then I could reformat the 'boot' if/when problems and/or to upgrade to XP (or whatever) without having to relocate the data. Smart idea? Also, do I gain performance by dedicating a drive to PVR storage exclusively, or could I share the main drive for space w/out degradation of speed? SATA drives worth it, or just go with standard IDE?

4) Keyboard+mouse: I figure a wireless set can't be bad, but is there much need for this? Do most use it to just browse / compute, or more for daily use for scheduling? I figure the remote / TV is the main interface for the PVR, but not 100% sure.

5) Additions: I already mentioned the 2nd PVR 250, but is it easy to add on the parts for satellite / digital cable later if I go either way in that direction?

Any additional constructive critique on the hardware greatly appreciated. I've built an aggressive system, so any 'waste' pointed out, or missing items that should be added of great help. Haven't build a computer in over 7 years, so just looking for validation before I blow the $$... It's 2am now, but this is good enough before I go to bed. Probably a follow-up question or two when I'm less tired.

Thanks again for all the help, gang! Can't wait to join the Sage user-base.

[Grasshopper]

Don't see a sound card anywhere. Does that mobo have integrated sound that you plan to use? Along those lines, you may want to think about going with AMD so that you can get an nVidia nForce2 board with Soundstorm, which is supposed to be very nice.

Are you displaying on a standard resolution TV, or an HDTV? If the former, bear in mind that many folks find browsing/computer use impossible or unreadable on a standard res TV. So if you're not going to use it for browsing, you maybe don't need the keyboard and mouse. On the other hand, if you are going to use it for browsing, you might need an HDTV!

If you're buying that wireless keyboard and mouse, you might want to research the range of those items, to ensure that they can go wireless across the distance between your PC and wherever your fanny will be.

Again if you're displaying on a standard res TV, you might consider a PVR350 as one of your cards. The 350 supposedly has a high quality video out for standard res TV, better than video cards. However, this would necessitate switching outputs to the video card (and switching the TV's input) if you want to watch a DVD or view the windows desktop. To get the OSD on the 350 you'll need Sage2, which is why I'm waiting to build my system until that's closer to final.

My understanding is that if you're buying the Zalman, you don't need the retail P4, since the main difference between the retail and OEM P4 package is that a heatsink/fan is included in the retail package. There may be warranty issues you're concerned about, as well.

If you're burning DVD's to play in a standalone DVD player you'll want to check format compatibility between the Ricoh and whatever brand DVD player you'll be using.

My understanding is that 1gb memory is likely overkill, depending on the intended purposes of the box.

As if you didn't have enough to think about...

[carlgar]

Why buy the "139 --0 NewEgg Capture Card Hauppauge PCI TV Tuner Card, Model "WinTV-PVR 250" -RETAIL (get rev 16 + silver remote)" for $139?
You can buy the card alone from Frey for $125 + shipping ($7 I think) and if you buy it with SageTV in a bundle ($164.95) you would save even more. The Retail package just gives you a printed box to look at.
I believe all rev 16 250's would be compatable, however if you want to go with a 350 later in the same computer then you may encounter problems.

I would go with IDE over Sata just for the price savings. The second drive is probably overkill and could be added later. I currently use only 1 IDE 200 GB disk with 2 partitions. 20 GB for OS and the rest for Sage. I have 3 capture cards. Your total disk space requirements will depend upon how many programs and for how long you want to keep them.
Why Windows 2000 instead of Windows XP home?

Seems like a lot of overkill but don't know your long term goals

[mlbdude]

Be careful to get quite components if you are planning on putting this near your TV. I just finished replacing all my HD's with Seagate's and Samsung's. The WD's are the loudest you can get. I could hear them from another room.

[BigGator]

not sure if the Radeon 9200 has the fan on it - but if it does... add another 25 bucks to get the Zalman heatpipe.
"-)

[stanger89]

Couple of tweaks:
Heatsink:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...118-108&depa=1
Get the AlCu not the pure Cu. I got the AlCu since it worried me that the pure copper one went well over Intel's max weight specifications for the retainer. I've had my 2.4G P4 to 3.0 with tno trouble with the AlCu, and that's with it almost all the way down.

HDD:
The WD's should be fine I've got a WD2000JB and I never notice it. Also I notice no performance problems have my Sage Recording partition on the same drive as the OS. I was actually going to say go for SATA, the $15 premium isn't much for the easier/neater cabling.

PS:
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/seas...do400watt.html
Enermax is well known in gaming circles, but for quiet/HTPCs they aren't the best. I'm currently running a Fortron 275W with 120mm fan, the 120mm fan makes a big difference, and Seasonic PS have been getting great reviews from quite pc sites.
http://www.silentpcreview.com
Another thing to think about is Antec is releasing a 350W fanless supply later this spring.

Video Card:
I'd go with the 9600 (or a GF FX 5700) that way you get HW DX9 support which is becomming more an more important for video applications, Sage 2.0 added VMR9 support. It's been said that VMR9 looks better than overlay on newer (DX9 class) HW. The GeforceFX 5200 is also an option, it would give you the latest and greatest technology, but not performance (gaming) or price.

Newegg 250:
Sounds like a 15 from the description ("Composite via S-Video Adapter", I think the 16 v has a dedicated composite input). You might as well buy it from Frey so you know what you are getting.

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...log=147&depa=1
I'd go with Corsair, with all the nice stuff you're putting in that PC, no reason to skimp on the RAM.

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...log=280&depa=1
No reason to pay more and get less for an Intel branded board. This one will work great, it can even automatically control the speed of your fans. If you don't want all the bells and whistles there's this one.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...log=280&depa=1

DVD Burner:
Pioneer DVR-A06(7), whatever you do, get a dual format burner, there is no good reason not to. Also the only two burners I've ever been happy with have been my Plextor 40X CD-RW and my Pioneer DVR-A06. One more thing to consider (FWIW) reports from CES are that Pioneer was demoing an A06 with updated firmware burning dual-layer DVD-Rs.

Fan Isolators:
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/fanisolators1.html
These things are cool use them for your case fans instead of screws. I've got two Panaflo L1A's (80mm and 120mm) I run them at 5V instead of 12 and they are silent.

OS:
W2K is fine if you aren't buying a new copy. If you need a new copy then get WXP, just throw and OEM copy of XP in your cart.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...102-143&depa=6
It's the best way to buy any windows OS. You get a full copy of XP Pro for less than the normal price of XP Home.

Overall looks like a pretty good system, especially for having been "out of the loop" for 7 years, me I'm insane and follow all this stuff closely. As far as noise goes, the loudest thing in my "HTPC" is my 4 HDDs, not seeking (well my 3 old 40Gbs in my RAID array are pretty loud when I access them), the noise comes from having 4 drives spinning at almost the same speed. They cause the case to do this pulsing vibration (1/sec or so), it's not terrible though. You might want to look at these though:
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/zalmanzm-2hc1.html
I've been thinking about getting them, but buying four is kind of pricey. Could also check here for noise/performance comparisons.
http://storagereview.com/php/benchmark/bench_sort.php