Building a HTPC, Have Some Questions

[swiftyman]

I've decided it's time to build a HTPC and I've been trying to figure out what features I would like to be able to run and I am hoping some people around here could help me out. I've tried using the search function and looked through some threads but I haven't been able to find anything specific.

I am mostly interested in running some Gamecube games so that I can box up my gamecube and store it in my garage (which would have the added bonus of making my wife extremely happy), but if I could run a few wii games then that would be nice as well. I also want to be able to do some gaming with it (though not on maxed out settings)- Borderlands 2 when it comes out in september mostly, so keep that in mind when trying to help me navigate my choices.

I am going to be putting everything inside a Micro-atx case so that it fits in my entertainment center, and I will be playing on a 37inch 1080p LCD, that I am generally about 12 feet away from; although sometimes as close as 5 feet.

Games I would like to play
Gamecube
Resident Evil 4
Super Monkey Ball (target mode is hours of fun for 2 people)
Mario Kart
Tony Hawk 3 (would prefer 2 with a dreamcast emulator, but that isn't the forum for this so I won't ask)
Maybe the Zelda Games

Wii
Resident Evil 4 (otherwise will settle for Gamecube Version)
Wii Sports Games
Mario Kart
Goldeneye
Donkey Kong Country

There may be other games for Wii I would be interested in, but those are just off the top of my head.


My Current Options

1. AMD a8-3870- Basically the same as the 3850 but it comes unlocked in the bios and can be safely overclocked to 3.5ghz; would later add a Radeon 6670

2. Buy an am3+ board and put a Phenom II in it. It allows for better future proofing (I suppose) since I could later upgrade to a Bulldozer (think that's the codename) processor.

3. Spend the extra money for an I5 processor and get a board that will be upgradeable.

Option 2 and 3 would also use an Radeon 6670 for sake of discussion, (if I can even use a Radeon with an I5 MOBO, haven't looked)

If all 3 options will work I would prefer the a8 since it is the least expensive, and the majority of the time it will be funtioning as a HTPC (and the a8 should run the coolest). With 4-8 hour "gaming" sessions a couple of times a month tops.

I appreciate any help, and after I eventually get it all figured out and order I will be happy to post a thread with some gameplay details to help others out with their purchases.

[NaturalViolence]

1. Even at 3.5GHz you're probably not going to get fullspeed all the time on those games. It should be pretty close though. An i5 is a much safer bet.

2.



3. I would recommend this.

[swiftyman]

So does emulating Gamecube and Wii take roughly the same resources then? Or will Gamecube games take less? I've been doing some research and if I get a dedicated GPU I should be able to run the a8 at 4+ ghz and have it still remain stable.

[NaturalViolence]

Quote:So does emulating Gamecube and Wii take roughly the same resources then? Or will Gamecube games take less?

It depends on the game. Platform has nothing to do with it.

Quote:I've been doing some research and if I get a dedicated GPU I should be able to run the a8 at 4+ ghz and have it still remain stable.

OC will require good airflow and a big efficient HSF. Both of which are hard to achieve in a small HTPC. At 4GHz most of those games should run fullspeed but I can't guarantee that all of them will, mario kart wii in particular is difficult to get fullspeed in. An i5 is still a safer bet. If you're going to use a discrete GPU anyways than there is little point in going with a llano setup.

[garrlker]

I have a Radeon HD 6670LP and I can vouche for it. Great cheap card and gets 720p on twilight princess. Full 1080 on skyrim and BF3 on medium. I highly recommend it.
Edit:Sorry, I think I have a different understanding of HTPC. Forget my post.

[Gir]

ALienware X51 can also come with an 3770K, awesome HTPC, If your Rich.



DON'T BUY AMD

My PC Specs is my HTPC, its loud and slow.


This mo-bo is really small HTPC and an 3770k can fit on there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLn8FEKbAwM

:cough:
Most Emulator Author usually build with old fashioned mouse/keyboard navigation, its annoying finding decent emulators, optimized for HTPC and TV, wake up emu-authors.
Keyboard is no place on a Sofa, Make a Full Screen Dolphin UI like Steam Big Picture. fully navigational without Old mans Keyboard and Mouse.

Frontends are useless and don't communicate well with the Emulators.