Struggling with HTPC setup

[Susan Miller]

I've been struggling for some time with my HTPC setup. As far as my
skill level is concerned, I've built two different systems from the
case on up. I've also replaced the motherboard and pretty much every
replacable internal part (fans, cpu, video card, etc) in my
out-of-warranty laptop. I'm pretty comfortable with hardware. I don't
have the knowledge of the assorted components to always make the best
choices.

I have a Thermaltake Bach case with an ASUS M2N32-SLI DX Wireless
motherboard. I've hit the point where I think my motherboard _may_
have to go, but, I'm not sure what will allow me to have nearly the
same features while rebuying as little as possible.

Situation: I want to use this system as both a Home Theater PC, and a
gaming rig. The case is beautiful, however, I lose the space for the
second hard drive cage (which holds 3 drives) because the power
connection to my motherboard is in the way.

I bought a new video card: BFG NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 OC. This is
fantastic card, however, its HUGE. The power connectors on the top are
exatly level with the top of my case, which means when I plug in the
actual cables its too high. In order to use it, I have to leave my
case open (not a good idea). I'm considering returning it as I have 30
days. I had bought it mostly to update my graphics and get a SPDIF
connector, but my old NVIDIA 7600 GS has SPDIF as well and it supports
all the games I use. Plus, it fits nicely. Is there anything from
NVIDIA in between with a SPDIF connector (more recent graphics but
smaller size and/or power ports on one side?)

I love my motherboard, it does everything I can imagine a motherboard
should do. Whenever any new card comes out, I have a slot for it. I
havve something like 6 or 9 SATA plugs. But, the plug on the board for
the power connection REALLY interferes with the long-term viability of
my case. I want two RAIDS, one for Linux and one for Windows. Right
now I'm stuck with Windows because I can't use the slide-in hard drive
cage.

I'd be interested in suggestions to keep my system up to date for both
gaming and HTPC usage.

Susan

 

[Paul]

I've been struggling for some time with my HTPC setup. As far as my
skill level is concerned, I've built two different systems from the
case on up. I've also replaced the motherboard and pretty much every
replacable internal part (fans, cpu, video card, etc) in my
out-of-warranty laptop. I'm pretty comfortable with hardware. I don't
have the knowledge of the assorted components to always make the best
choices.

I have a Thermaltake Bach case with an ASUS M2N32-SLI DX Wireless
motherboard. I've hit the point where I think my motherboard _may_
have to go, but, I'm not sure what will allow me to have nearly the
same features while rebuying as little as possible.

Situation: I want to use this system as both a Home Theater PC, and a
gaming rig. The case is beautiful, however, I lose the space for the
second hard drive cage (which holds 3 drives) because the power
connection to my motherboard is in the way.

I bought a new video card: BFG NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 OC. This is
fantastic card, however, its HUGE. The power connectors on the top are
exatly level with the top of my case, which means when I plug in the
actual cables its too high. In order to use it, I have to leave my
case open (not a good idea). I'm considering returning it as I have 30
days. I had bought it mostly to update my graphics and get a SPDIF
connector, but my old NVIDIA 7600 GS has SPDIF as well and it supports
all the games I use. Plus, it fits nicely. Is there anything from
NVIDIA in between with a SPDIF connector (more recent graphics but
smaller size and/or power ports on one side?)

I love my motherboard, it does everything I can imagine a motherboard
should do. Whenever any new card comes out, I have a slot for it. I
havve something like 6 or 9 SATA plugs. But, the plug on the board for
the power connection REALLY interferes with the long-term viability of
my case. I want two RAIDS, one for Linux and one for Windows. Right
now I'm stuck with Windows because I can't use the slide-in hard drive
cage.

I'd be interested in suggestions to keep my system up to date for both
gaming and HTPC usage.

Susan

I think I'd get another computer case.

I don't see any right angle PCI Express power connectors for sale.

If the video card was out of warranty, and you no longer cared,
you could solder two captive power cables to the back of the video
card, then plug in the ATX Power supply to those two captive cables.
For example, buy two of these, snip off the eight pin end, solder
three yellow and three black wires to the six solder pads on the
back of the video card. In that way, you would no longer have to
plug into the top of the video card, and could use the captive cable
instead. I would rate the skill level required to do this as
"high", meaning I wouldn't want to try it myself. Too easy to burn something
or make a mess. Your video card warranty is too valuable, to waste
on such surgery (the warranty would be void if you made mods).

http://www.startech.com/item/PCIEX68ADAP-PCI-Express-6-pin-to-8-pin-Power-adapter-Cable.aspx

Look around for another computer case. Newegg has hundreds of them for
you to look at.

At some point, you have to decide whether this thing is a piece
of furniture or not.

I don't see a reason to replace your motherboard. You describe it as
functionally meeting all your needs. Your problems are mechanical,
and another case, carefully selected, is what you want.

Picture of one of the Bach series, here. Maybe yours is similar ?

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-133-169-24.jpg

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-133-169-22.jpg

*******

I consider this one kinda ugly, but it is taller, and the PCI Express
power connector wouldn't be a problem any more.

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum Crown Series CW02B-MXR ATX Media Center / HTPC Case $400.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163084

This one is a bit cheaper. Not quite as tall.

SILVERSTONE Silver LC03S-V ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163128

I can see, though, that the ATX supply connector is still rising
right next to the middle drive bays. (Rotate picture 180 and compare
to the previous case.)

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-011-04.jpg

A 24 pin power extender cable, may avoid the sleeved rigid power
from the power supply. This might be bendable enough, to move it out
of the way in the bay area. (The best price is seldom on the
Startech site - maybe you could find one of these locally, to
save on shipping.)

http://www.startech.com/item/ATX24P...on-Cable-for-24-pin-ATX-201-Motherboards.aspx

There are some nice looking regular computer cases. Plenty of bays
in this one.

SILVERSTONE FT01-S Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Uni-body Computer Case $220.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163119

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-163-119-S01?$S640W$

The lower bays are turned sideways on that one, sort of like my Sonata.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-163-119-S06?$S640W$

There are over 700 more to choose from, in the regular computer
case listing.

Have fun,
Paul

 

[Susan Miller]

Susan Miller wrote:

I think I'd get another computer case.

Hmm...I appreciate you taking the time to respond, and especially for
providing examples.

I don't see any right angle PCI Express power connectors for sale.

I have an Ultra X3 power supply with modular cables that plug in/out
from the power supply itself. Is this something I could get from them
as add-on wires?

BTW - I love this group. Lurking here was where I first found out
power supply cables could be modular.

If the video card was out of warranty, and you no longer cared,
you could solder two captive power cables to the back of the video
card, then plug in the ATX Power supply to those two captive cables.
For example, buy two of these, snip off the eight pin end, solder
three yellow and three black wires to the six solder pads on the
back of the video card. In that way, you would no longer have to
plug into the top of the video card, and could use the captive cable
instead. I would rate the skill level required to do this as
"high", meaning I wouldn't want to try it myself. Too easy to burn something
or make a mess. Your video card warranty is too valuable, to waste
on such surgery (the warranty would be void if you made mods).

http://www.startech.com/item/PCIEX68ADAP-PCI-Express-6-pin-to-8-pin-Power-adapter-Cable.aspx

Even if it was out of warranty, its beyond my expected skills. .

Look around for another computer case. Newegg has hundreds of them for
you to look at.

At some point, you have to decide whether this thing is a piece
of furniture or not.

It is a piece of furniture. At least, it has to be if I want marital
harmony. My husband will not abide a regular upright tower case in our
living room. I don't want to have to hole up in the spare bedroom in
order to play recent games. We both want it to record movies and tv
shows that we like to repeatedly watch. I enjoy tinkering with it.

I don't see a reason to replace your motherboard. You describe it as
functionally meeting all your needs. Your problems are mechanical,
and another case, carefully selected, is what you want.

Picture of one of the Bach series, here. Maybe yours is similar ?

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-133-169-24.jpg

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-133-169-22.jpg

That's my case.

*******

I consider this one kinda ugly, but it is taller, and the PCI Express
power connector wouldn't be a problem any more.

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum Crown Series CW02B-MXR ATX Media Center / HTPC Case $400.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163084

If I read the spec sheet right, it has room for six hard drives. Nice.
I'm not sure I like the big knobs on the front. I already have the
IR/LCD and remote (I'm pretty sure its the same exact one) so I'd be
paying twice for a relatively expensive part that I don't need to
replace.

I can't help but think I could find another motherboard with similar
features and a slightly different layout and accomplish the same
thing. It is a nice case and it does appeal a bit.

This one is a bit cheaper. Not quite as tall.

SILVERSTONE Silver LC03S-V ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163128

I can see, though, that the ATX supply connector is still rising
right next to the middle drive bays. (Rotate picture 180 and compare
to the previous case.)

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-011-04.jpg

A 24 pin power extender cable, may avoid the sleeved rigid power
from the power supply. This might be bendable enough, to move it out
of the way in the bay area. (The best price is seldom on the
Startech site - maybe you could find one of these locally, to
save on shipping.)

http://www.startech.com/item/ATX24P...on-Cable-for-24-pin-ATX-201-Motherboards.aspx

I have one of these, it doesn't solve the issue with fitting in the
drive cage.

There are some nice looking regular computer cases. Plenty of bays
in this one.

Sadly, not any good for my marital harmony.

Susan.

 

[Paul]

I have an Ultra X3 power supply with modular cables that plug in/out
from the power supply itself. Is this something I could get from them
as add-on wires?

My comment was with regard to the connector design. I don't know if
anyone makes a right angle one. I haven't seen one yet.

It is a piece of furniture. At least, it has to be if I want marital
harmony. My husband will not abide a regular upright tower case in our
living room. I don't want to have to hole up in the spare bedroom in
order to play recent games. We both want it to record movies and tv
shows that we like to repeatedly watch. I enjoy tinkering with it.

I can't help but think I could find another motherboard with similar
features and a slightly different layout and accomplish the same
thing. It is a nice case and it does appeal a bit.

OK. But the thing is, you're going to have trouble matching all the
features, and getting a good board.

ASUS M3N72-D AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI HDMI ATX.
(1) GbE, (1) Firewire, PS/2 kbd only, power connector OK, SATA location iffy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131323

For the Wireless part of your build, you'd need to pick up a
separate solution for that.

HTH,
Paul

 

[cyg]

I had bought it mostly to update my graphics and get a SPDIF
connector, but my old NVIDIA 7600 GS has SPDIF as well and it supports
all the games I use. Plus, it fits nicely. Is there anything from
NVIDIA in between with a SPDIF connector (more recent graphics but
smaller size and/or power ports on one side?)

The 9600 GT Green edition does not use a power connector, but it's still a
big and unwiedly card that can interfere with placing hard drives. Display
connectors are dependent on the board maker and model. You can probably get
an adapter for it too, if you can't find everything you want in one package.

I'm not sure why you're only looking at nvidia, but ATI does have a superb
solution in the form of the Radeon 4670, which has a small footprint and
requires no power connection.

 

[Rarius]

The 9600 GT Green edition does not use a power connector, but it's still a
big and unwiedly card that can interfere with placing hard drives. Display
connectors are dependent on the board maker and model. You can probably
get an adapter for it too, if you can't find everything you want in one
package.

I'm not sure why you're only looking at nvidia, but ATI does have a superb
solution in the form of the Radeon 4670, which has a small footprint and
requires no power connection.

Another option is the Radeon 4850... Although it does require a power
connector, it is on the END of the card not the top, and thus would not
exceed the space in the OP's case.

I recently bought the XFX 4850 XXX Edition and could not be happier. It runs
fast and cool (topping out at 48C!)... The XXX Edition is factory
overclocked with a much improved cooler, hence the better temps! The other
advantage is that it vents OUTSIDE the case, unlike the 9600 GT and most of
the 4670s.

Rarius