Check HTPC config

M

mrmcburger

New Member
Hi,

I would like to build an quiet, not too much energy consumer HTPC which will read any HD, FHD or more video (music, photo too). I already have a NAS.

I already prepared a config :

CPU : Intel Core i3-4130 (3.4 GHz)
Mobo : MSI B85M-G43
RAM : G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL
Disk : SSD Sandisk 64Go
CPU Ventirad : Cooler Master GeminII M4
PSU : COOLER MASTER G450M
Bluray : LG CH12NS30
Case : SILVERSTONE Grandia SST-GD05B-USB3.0
+ 1 a basic HDMI cable.

What do you think about that? Could I make this as good and cheaper with other components? This config seems expensive (~530€ at amazon France), and if it was 150€ cheaper it would be great.

I also thought of the same config with AMD A6-6400K/ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+/Noctua NH-L9a and a SilverStone ML04 Milo as a case, but still a little too expensive and I don't know if all components are compatible.

Thanks everyone.
 
Downgrade PSU to Corsair CX430M

CPU cooler - Scythe SCKZT-1000

Case - SilverStone ML04 Milo is cheaper...

CPU + Mobo - Go for AMD APU could be cheaper...
MSI A88XM-E35 + A6-6400K

RAM - go for single stick of 4GB if you get mobo with 2 RAM slot
Crucial BLT4G3D1869DT1TX0CEU

This come to EUR413

If you really want to get closer to EUR380, you can simply use stock cpu heatsink and drop aftermarket heatsink
 
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Thanks for the advice. I think i'm going with a build like that.
However when I see review on Scythe SCKZT-1000, it seems that it's making some annoying noise. Isn't the Noctua NH-L9a better suited for this build (assuming that I take a SilverStone ML04 Milo as a case)?
 
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mrmcburger said:
Thanks for the advice. I think i'm going with a build like that.
However when I see review on Scythe SCKZT-1000, it seems that it's making some annoying noise. Isn't the Noctua NH-L9a better suited for this build (assuming that I take a SilverStone ML04 Milo as a case)?
Click to expand...

Which review are you reading?

Scythe SCKZT-1000 seems to be quiet than Noctua according to this. Also it is cheaper.

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2614&page=3
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2730&page=3

http://www.frostytech.com/top5_lowprofile_heatsinks.cfm
 
Also, noob question, is there a problem if I use a AMD A4-5300 or A6-6400K (FM2) on a FM2+ socket Mobo like the Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 or the MSI A88XM-E35. What are the advantages of the GA-F2A88XM-HD3 over the MSI A88XM-E35 (beause it is more expensive)?

The AMD A4-5300 seems fine for my needs.

again thank you for your replies.
 
If you are not overclock the CPU, you may just use stock cooler first to see if the noise level acceptable before you spend EUR 30 - 40 to get a cooler
 
Cisco001 said:
If you are not overclock the CPU, you may just use stock cooler first to see if the noise level acceptable before you spend EUR 30 - 40 to get a cooler
Click to expand...

Yes that could probably be a good thing.

What about mounting a FM2 CPU on a FM2+ socket Mobo?

Thanks.
 
All AMD mounting system has been exactly the same since AM2. So if your cooler says it's compatible with any type of AMD, it'll fit your socket.
mrmcburger said:
Also, noob question, is there a problem if I use a AMD A4-5300 or A6-6400K (FM2) on a FM2+ socket Mobo like the Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 or the MSI A88XM-E35. What are the advantages of the GA-F2A88XM-HD3 over the MSI A88XM-E35 (beause it is more expensive)?
Click to expand...
You can use a FM2 CPU in FM2/2+ motherboards, but you can only use FM2+ CPUs in FM2+ motherboards, not FM2.
It's the way AMD names their newer generation. AM2 -> AM2+ -> AM3 -> AM3+
I prefer Gigabyte over MSI, but the Gigabyte is also a bit higher end in terms of features.
 
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Thanks for your replies, finally are you ok with this conf :

AMD A4-5300 : 40.29
MSI A88XM-E35 : 46.10
Crucial BLT4G3D1869DT1TX0CEU : 46.19
SanDisk SSD 64Go : 45,84
SilverStone ML04 Milo : 81.36
Corsair CX430M : 47.00
LG CH12NS30 : 63.55
HDMI cable : 6.99

~ 375€ on amazon.
 
Personally tends to use gigabyte motherboard as i get used to their BIOS.

The reason of getting MSI instead of Gigabyte purely due to the price. I wonder if you really feel the difference to use it as HTPC
 
There's probably no difference for an HTPC. But I'm never buying MSI again if I intend to do any tweaking of the system. They're brainless. I bought a mid-range board, and it won't allow me to manually tune the voltage of my CPU. It runs stable at 4.4GHz with 1.275v, but MSI insists to use 1.366v. My old ASUS board could do the 1.275v, and was cheaper priced.
But again, quality itself of MSI is fine.
 
Last question : Is it possible to connect to the network using WiFi with this Mobo? I don't see anything about that in the spec and I won't be able to use ethernet.
 
Nope. The E-series of motherboards are MSIs lowest end. They'll pretty much never have built in WiFi. You can buy a PCI card for WiFi though. I think you can get one for around €25-50
 
What Mobo would you recommend me to buy to have the same basic features + the Wifi?
I looked at several Micro ATX FM2 Mobo and none proposed the wireless connexion...


Thanks.
 
I actually think it would be cheaper to buy a PCI card. Often also much better.
TP-Link TL-WN781ND: €11
Supports up to 150Mbit, which is about 15MB/s and comes with a low profile bracket (your case is low profile).
 
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mrmcburger said:
What Mobo would you recommend me to buy to have the same basic features + the Wifi?
I looked at several Micro ATX FM2 Mobo and none proposed the wireless connexion...


Thanks.
Click to expand...

Motherboard don't generally come with wifi apart from mitx board.
Just grab a PCI/ usb wifi adaptor.
 
Hi,

Thanks for all your replies, I actually builded the conf. Aynyway I couldn't put the TP-Link TL-WN781ND in the PCI port on my motherboard. Did I missed something?
 
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