New computer, Need suggestions for Graphics card and Power supply

[usually_quiet]

If I can find that GTX 750 TI for a good deal on ebay, I'm going to buy it.

You don't need that much graphics card in an HTPC. The onboard Radeon 8670D is easily enough for Blu-ray playback. Anybody who had problems simply had something misconfigured. The only reasons for a GTX 750 would be gaming (which you've already ruled out) or GPU assisted reencoding of your Blu-ray rips.

I agree. Other good reasons would be that Tedbundy was planning to use madVR's advanced features, or needed to add a DisplayPort to use his HTPC with a 4K TV or monitor, but he hasn't mentioned any of that.

[Tedbundy]

If I can find that GTX 750 TI for a good deal on ebay, I'm going to buy it.

You don't need that much graphics card in an HTPC. The onboard Radeon 8670D is easily enough for Blu-ray playback. Anybody who had problems simply had something misconfigured. The only reasons for a GTX 750 would be gaming (which you've already ruled out) or GPU assisted reencoding of your Blu-ray rips.

Thanks everyone and I quoted this because I actually do plan on doing some bluray encodes. I use to encode a long time ago with auto gk and remember it taking hours to encode a batch. I'd like this computer to be a lot faster at doing those types of jobs.

[redwudz]

Depends on what you mean by Blu-ray encodes. I convert my Blu-ray discs with RipBot to MKV H.264, two pass with 640K AC-3 surround sound and a size of about 8 GB, mostly to back up to optical media in case of HDD failure on my video servers.

DVDs I convert similar with VidCoder to a filesize of about 2 GB. Both programs work well for me and are easier to use than AutoGK, IMO.

BD conversion takes me about 2 hours and DVD conversion about 20 minutes. But I run them overnight in batches, so even when my PCs were slower, it still worked the same, just took a bit longer. I don't convert BDs back to regular BD format as I play the files on my PC. But my set top BD player accepts MKVs, so it works also.

[jagabo]

I actually do plan on doing some bluray encodes.

Just having a fast GPU won't help unless your encoder uses it. What encoder are you using?

[Tedbundy]

If I can find that GTX 750 TI for a good deal on ebay, I'm going to buy it.

You don't need that much graphics card in an HTPC. The onboard Radeon 8670D is easily enough for Blu-ray playback. Anybody who had problems simply had something misconfigured. The only reasons for a GTX 750 would be gaming (which you've already ruled out) or GPU assisted reencoding of your Blu-ray rips.

I agree. Other good reasons would be that Tedbundy was planning to use madVR's advanced features, or needed to add a DisplayPort to use his HTPC with a 4K TV or monitor, but he hasn't mentioned any of that.

I know I'll be doi ng 3D bluray encodes and bluray. 4k support would be nice as well but I'll get there when it becomes more popular I guess.

8GB is too big for a bluray for me. I'd like to make smaller ones, around 1GB. Quality will be fine to me and watchable for Me.

Not sure what kind of encoders I'll be using since I've not done bluray before, just want to have my PC ready and able to support it, so it's ready to go when the time comes.

I will be going from either bluray to MKV or MP4 since I've seen videos in both formats at around 1GB with decent enough quality for me. Then I can store away all my blurays...

[Tedbundy]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/371192498833?nav=SEARCH

Is that good ram for the price? link me if you guys know of something better for cheaper. I'm about to purchase this. Thanks

[newpball]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/371192498833?nav=SEARCH

Is that good ram for the price? link me if you guys know of something better for cheaper. I'm about to purchase this. Thanks

That is a ridiculous offer for used ram.

Brand new 4GB quality brand DDR3 modules set you back about $30

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ddr3+4g...2Ck%3Addr3+4gb

[jagabo]

Not sure what kind of encoders I'll be using since I've not done bluray before, just want to have my PC ready and able to support it, so it's ready to go when the time comes.

Figure out what software you'll be using first. Then read up on how much a GPU will improve encoding speeds (and reduce quality, by the way). Then decide if it's worth it to you. Graphics cards will only get cheaper.

And why would you put 32 GB of DRAM in an HTPC? 8 GB more than sufficient, even if you're going to be re-encoding Blu-ray sources.

[Tedbundy]

I thought I posted a link for 16 Gb plus the 4 I have to make a even 20. And, I use to use sony Vegas for rendering game footage...

[usually_quiet]

I thought I posted a link for 16 Gb plus the 4 I have to make a even 20. And, I use to use sony Vegas for rendering game footage...

How did you check to see if the RAM you found is a good match for the RAM currently installed? The ebay link you posted was for 8GB total, "2 X 4GB DDR3 1333MHz PC3 10600 DESKTOP RAM 1333 for Acer Aspire X3960 Series".

[Tedbundy]

I thought I posted a link for 16 Gb plus the 4 I have to make a even 20. And, I use to use sony Vegas for rendering game footage...

How did you check to see if the RAM you found is a good match for the RAM currently installed? The ebay link you posted was for 8GB total, "2 X 4GB DDR3 1333MHz PC3 10600 DESKTOP RAM 1333 for Acer Aspire X3960 Series".

Oh I must have missed read it, I'm using my phone...and, I didn't know I needed to check. Thought RAM was RAM. As long as it's not for a laptop...

[usually_quiet]

I thought I posted a link for 16 Gb plus the 4 I have to make a even 20. And, I use to use sony Vegas for rendering game footage...

How did you check to see if the RAM you found is a good match for the RAM currently installed? The ebay link you posted was for 8GB total, "2 X 4GB DDR3 1333MHz PC3 10600 DESKTOP RAM 1333 for Acer Aspire X3960 Series".

Oh I must have missed read it, I'm using my phone...and, I didn't know I needed to check. Thought RAM was RAM. As long as it's not for a laptop...

Yes, you should check to make sure that the new RAM matches the old. Buying the exact same sticks for all the slots is best. If you can't do that, all the RAM should have the same voltage, CAS latency and timings. Ideally, you should match the speed too. If the RAM that came with your new PC was DDR3 1600 MHz and the RAM that you add is DDR3 1333 MHz, all the RAM will operate at 1333 MHz.

[Tedbundy]

Here's my PSU and ram.

[Tedbundy]

If that helps you guys at all. I kind of feel unsure what to order, don't want to order the wrong stuff. And, I apologize. I know this thread is just dragging on...

[usually_quiet]

I can't find any information about the RAM or the power supply based on the part numbers. The original makers of those parts only sells them to Acer.

Since Kingston does not have that part number listed in the database at their website, I used their memory finder to locate "System Specific Memory" for Acer Aspire T Series ATC-120-xxx PCs
The 4GB sticks it found that are similar to yours were KAC-VR316S/4G http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239298
The 8GB sticks it found were D1G64K110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239382

However, you don't need more memory for an HTPC that performs the tasks you have mentioned so far.

I looked at a picture of the back of your machine. The mounting screws are arranged in the typical ATX pattern. You will have to physically examine the power supply to find out for sure if it is a standard ATX model. The measurements for the side of the PSU which has the mounting holes should be 3.4" (H) x 5.9" (W). The main power connection for the motherboard should be for 24 pins, or if is in two sections, for 20+4 pins. There should be another 4-pin or 8-pin power connection that is attached elsewhere on the board. An 8-pin connection (if there is one) looks like two 4-pin connectors set side-by-side. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX#mediaviewer/File:ATX_PS_signals.svg

[jagabo]

And beware: I don't think Acer has ever done this, but some manufactures (Dell has done it in the past) use power supplies that look like standard ATX power supplies, the size is right, the screw holes are in the usual place, and the motherboard power connectors are the same size and shape, but the pin outs are different. Plugging a standard ATX power supply into one of those computers will fry both.

[Tedbundy]

And beware: I don't think Acer has ever done this, but some manufactures (Dell has done it in the past) use power supplies that look like standard ATX power supplies, the size is right, the screw holes are in the usual place, and the motherboard power connectors are the same size and shape, but the pin outs are different. Plugging a standard ATX power supply into one of those computers will fry both.

Wow, that's scary and makes me not want to attempt this but I can't keep this 200w in here smh.

[Tedbundy]

I can't find any information about the RAM or the power supply based on the part numbers. The original makers of those parts only sells them to Acer.

Since Kingston does not have that part number listed in the database at their website, I used their memory finder to locate "System Specific Memory" for Acer Aspire T Series ATC-120-xxx PCs
The 4GB sticks it found that are similar to yours were KAC-VR316S/4G http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239298
The 8GB sticks it found were D1G64K110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239382

However, you don't need more memory for an HTPC that performs the tasks you have mentioned so far.

I looked at a picture of the back of your machine. The mounting screws are arranged in the typical ATX pattern. You will have to physically examine the power supply to find out for sure if it is a standard ATX model. The measurements for the side of the PSU which has the mounting holes should be 3.4" (H) x 5.9" (W). The main power connection for the motherboard should be for 24 pins, or if is in two sections, for 20+4 pins. There should be another 4-pin or 8-pin power connection that is attached elsewhere on the board. An 8-pin connection (if there is one) looks like two 4-pin connectors set side-by-side. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX#mediaviewer/File:ATX_PS_signals.svg

Screw side measures 5.9 and the other side measures 5 1/2.
I see the 24 pin connector on the mother board. I will post a picture

[Tedbundy]

Here

[usually_quiet]

The size of the PSU's enclosure falls within the ATX standard. I can't find a pinout for the ATC-120-UC22 motherboard power connections, so I cannot verify that they are standard. The color of the wires is typical of a lot of standard ATX PSUs, from what I can see, but that is all I can tell you.