Please Critique my new HTPC Build

C

Carter

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
320
I am going to have a go at building my first HTPC. I can't seem to get my public newegg wishlist to show up, so I screenshoted the list and I'll add links for each component. So thanks in advance for your opinions and feedback! :)



I will also be ordering a Ceton Quad Tuner not included in that list:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815706001

Anyway here it goes:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138345
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220537
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136942
Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

I'm trying to keep the price under 700 or so, so I'm cutting it pretty close. I was told I should get an SSD for the OS drive, but honestly it seems they are so overpriced right now. If not getting one of thosei s a significant hinderance then I would consider it.

So let me know what you guys think! Thanks :)

Edit: I forgot to mention I already have a windows media center remote + reciever from an old HP I had, and I have a wireless keyboard mouse combo as well.
 
tricky0502 said:
im in the same boat as you!!

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1675462

i wouldnt get a psu with an 80mm fan in it. it might end up being too loud. the 880g might not be enough gpu power for a htpc (this is [H] you know).
Click to expand...

Any suggestions for an alternate PSU that is reliable and not too pricey?

BRAB said:
I'm not too sure if you are looking to include a low-profile card for hd playback, but Newegg has the Saphire HD 6450 for $24.99 after rebate.
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I was told the onboard 4250 on that motherboard would be sufficient for HD playback, is this not correct?
 
Carter said:
Any suggestions for an alternate PSU that is reliable and not too pricey?



I was told the onboard 4250 on that motherboard would be sufficient for HD playback, is this not correct?
Click to expand...

I am not too sure on that as I do not own one but if you want to be safe I say go discrete with the graphics card.

As for the power supply, you missed a recent deal on a PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 600W power supply that would perfectly fit your build and budget. If you can somehow manage to purchase one for back-order I think you should definitely do it, that is if you are able to get an invoice by end of 2/29 for the mail-in-rebate offer.
 
BRAB said:
I am not too sure on that as I do not own one but if you want to be safe I say go discrete with the graphics card.

As for the power supply, you missed a recent deal on a PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 600W power supply that would perfectly fit your build and budget. If you can somehow manage to purchase one for back-order I think you should definitely do it, that is if you are able to get an invoice by end of 2/29 for the mail-in-rebate offer.
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how about this one from the thread linked above

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029
 
I honestly think you can't go wrong the Antec. I believe the Antec Neo Eco power supplies are built by Seasonic which has a reputation for making quality and quiet power supplies.
 
BRAB said:
I honestly think you can't go wrong the Antec. I believe the Antec Neo Eco power supplies are built by Seasonic which has a reputation for making quality and quiet power supplies.
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Thanks for the tip, appreciate it :)
 
The 4250 will do HD video just fine. It will not do HD audio however, it is limited to dolby digital, dts, or 2-channel pcm.
 
jsteinm1 said:
Corsair CX430 PSU is $17 in that ad.
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemai...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite


Corsair 4GB XMS Memory - $19 w/ MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145251
(use coupon from above ad for extra 10%off)
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for these finds!!

JohnDC said:
The 4250 will do HD video just fine. It will not do HD audio however, it is limited to dolby digital, dts, or 2-channel pcm.
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When you say it will not do HD audio, do you mean it won't output the audio through HDMI? I have my surround outputting the audio directly from my TV, as long as this HTPC can output sound AND video from hdmi to my TV then I am in good shape. Not sure what not having HD audio entails.
 
Carter said:
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220537
Click to expand...
I recommend this cheaper RAM instead:
$20 - G.Skill F3-10666CL9S-2GBNT 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

And before you ask, dual channel will only provide 5% of extra performance under the most ideal of conditions and with only certain software. For your use, you'll be fine with a single stick. Also, with the above RAM, you don't have to go through the hassle of trying to get the MIR through like you with the RAM that jsteinm1 recommended.

Carter said:
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136942
Click to expand...
Problem: It may not work in a PC. Those AV-GP drives are designed for DVRs and other similar devices.

I recommend this cheaper and larger Seagate drive instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148725

Carter said:
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023
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Not a good choice at all. The TR2 line of PSUs are of fairly shitty quality and rarely can provide more than half their rated wattage. So yeah, definitely ditch this shit.

Carter said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029
Click to expand...
Excellent choice for a PSU. The Corsair 430CX is also another choice. But I'd recommend the Antec instead.
 
You're welcome. If you do go for the SSD, I recommend this:
$105 - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2BAA 2.5" 64GB SSD
 
Carter said:
Wow, thanks for these finds!!




When you say it will not do HD audio, do you mean it won't output the audio through HDMI? I have my surround outputting the audio directly from my TV, as long as this HTPC can output sound AND video from hdmi to my TV then I am in good shape. Not sure what not having HD audio entails.
Click to expand...
It will send audio over HDMI, but it will not send Hi Def audio from Blu-Ray.
 
Danny Bui said:
You're welcome. If you do go for the SSD, I recommend this:
$105 - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2BAA 2.5" 64GB SSD
Click to expand...

That is a very good SSD, just a heads up you can find them cheaper on sales. That one was recently $65 I think on newegg for a sale. I also just grabbed a OCZ Agility 3 60GB for $60 on shell shocker...looks like its $75 now after MIR. A lot of people don't like OCZ drives but I've had good luck with them, and you can't beat that price (I wasn't aware of the Crucial sale at the time).
 
That case is okay. I've got one that I've had for almost a year and a half now. My biggest complaint about it is the stupid vinyl or whatever the front is made of bubbles out a little bit (adhesive isn't strong enough or it was cut slightly larger than it should have been) above and below the 5.25" drive area.

Next complaint is that it cannot take a video card over 10" long. For how large of a case it is, they should have tried to squeeze an extra inch into that area since most decent cards are 10.5" :-/

Other than that, it comes with a 92mm fan in the front left and two 60mm fans in back. They are all fairly quiet, but they don't move much air either.

The case is quite restrictive for the stock 92mm fan location. If you're going to have an optical drive, don't even bother thinking about adding a fan to the spot they have on the other side of the case... it'd be nearly entirely blocked by the drive.

I've modded mine a bit for some better airflow.. cut out the area on the inside of the fan to free that up, and then I also cut out the original grill on the outside of the case too. Added a grill with a foam filter. Way better airflow and great at keeping dust out (we have pets). I also cut a hole in the side of the case immediately next to the stock one and added another grill/filter/fan which is blowing air right into my GTX460. I've got room to install another 92mm fan next to that still too, but I'm waiting to figure out what video card I'm buying next.

Next step is to replace the power supply with a unit with a 120mm fan. Going to then mount my H60 radiator on top of that pulling air through it, and then I plan on mounting a 10-15mm thick fan on top of the radiator blowing into it.
 
Why no blu-ray drive? They all play dvds but with a blu-ray drive you can that options too.
 
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