Plz critique my HTPC build

M

MouSe

Member
HDDx2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152245
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180
MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131711
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
BD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106326
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204037

Will be running Win7 64bit, XBMC, BeyondTV (w/ ATI Digital Cable Tuner).

Main questions are which RAID controller to get (if I need one), and should I get a GPU or just use the on-board HDMI?
 
M

MouSe

Member
Thanks for that link, but I want a modular PSU to save clutter in a cramped case. I know I don't need that much power, but modular PSU's don't start small.
 
M

MouSe

Member
Also, will I need a GPU with HDMI for full 1080p support, or should the onboard HDMI be fine? I can't find anything anywhere that says if its good or not.
 
M

MouSe

Member
I have another desktop and laptop that can burn DVD's. Looking only to get what I need for the lowest price. If something is overkill (like the PSU) but it's cheaper then I'll get it.
 
Benny Boy

Benny Boy

Active Member
If your trying to get the cost down, AMD would save about $50 on the cpu/mb, more if you went x2 or x3, and I think the igp's a bit better.

PS: The style of the 380 above will acually work better imo. The your 550 will draw it's air from right next to the HS. Better to have the air coming from inside the case(esp since that case has all the inlets). I also would suggest non-modular. Altho it seems mod would be better, in a small case such as that not having the cables sleeved allows for easier routing and have a smaller footprint. If you want to allow overhead for a gpu you could get a ps with 3 or 4 Sata connectors and 1 - 2+6 pin to keep the cabling at a minimum. Cold/heat shrink tape or tubes can be used if you want them to look better.
 
Aastii

Aastii

VIP Member
Benny Boy said:
If your trying to get the cost down, AMD would save about $50 on the cpu/mb, more if you went x2 or x3, and I think the igp's a bit better.

PS: The style of the 380 above will acually work better imo. The your 550 will draw it's air from right next to the HS. Better to have the air coming from inside the case(esp since that case has all the inlets). I also would suggest non-modular. Altho it seems mod would be better, in a small case such as that not having the cables sleeved allows for easier routing and have a smaller footprint. If you want to allow overhead for a gpu you could get a ps with 3 or 4 Sata connectors and 1 - 2+6 pin to keep the cabling at a minimum. Cold/heat shrink tape or tubes can be used if you want them to look better.
Click to expand...

Regarding AMD I thought so at first, however if you think about it, the integrated graphics on Sandy Bridge are about as good as a low-mid end graphics card, so miles ahead of anything integrated that AMD has to offer. It would just ensure that OP doesn't get stutter or any problems with video playback, even though he is technically on integrated.

The alternative would be AMD + GPU, which would increase power draw, and the overall price, so actually, what he put is the better option.

Regarding the PSU, you would still have plenty of room, the 380W unit only has mobo connectors and a few SATA/Molex connectors + 1 6 pin PCIe connector. With the exception of the PCIe connector, the cables on the unit are the same as what you would need to have on there anyway. Modular units don't have individual cables, they are the same as a normal PSU where by a single cable will have a few headers on it.
 
Benny Boy

Benny Boy

Active Member
Aastii said:
Regarding AMD I thought so at first, however if you think about it, the integrated graphics on Sandy Bridge are about as good as a low-mid end graphics card, so miles ahead of anything integrated that AMD has to offer. It would just ensure that OP doesn't get stutter or any problems with video playback, even though he is technically on integrated.

The alternative would be AMD + GPU, which would increase power draw, and the overall price, so actually, what he put is the better option.

Regarding the PSU, you would still have plenty of room, the 380W unit only has mobo connectors and a few SATA/Molex connectors + 1 6 pin PCIe connector. With the exception of the PCIe connector, the cables on the unit are the same as what you would need to have on there anyway. Modular units don't have individual cables, they are the same as a normal PSU where by a single cable will have a few headers on it.
Click to expand...

OK.
SB/newest arch. is the way to go then :good:
On a side note if I may, and correct me if I'm wrong, but for htpc use the 4xxx would work well without stutter and will also game a little. In gaming may be a bit of diff. comparing the 2, but since the 4xxx/5450 hybrid doesn't really produce any more real life performance, wouldn't the SB/4XXX have basically the same use? We wouldn't get a 5450 w/either igp if we needed more hp and anything bigger renders either igp usless in that reguard.

"plenty of room". If cable management, I agree with the 380's design. If intake next to HS, I still like the 380's rear intake design.
 
M

MouSe

Member
Ok. So, if I'm reading this right I should just swap the PSU's and I should be good then? The integrated graphics that come on that board should be good enough for HD playback on a HTPC? This thing will not game at all. The only thing it will be used for besides HTPC is web surfing now and then.

I have my current desktop for gaming.
 
spynoodle

spynoodle

Active Member
MouSe said:
Ok. So, if I'm reading this right I should just swap the PSU's and I should be good then? The integrated graphics that come on that board should be good enough for HD playback on a HTPC? This thing will not game at all. The only thing it will be used for besides HTPC is web surfing now and then.

I have my current desktop for gaming.
Click to expand...
Sandy Bridge integrated graphics is plenty for HD. ;) Check this benchmark:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Core_i5_2500K_GPU/1.html
It's actually better than a lot of low-end GPUs. That's pretty epic. :)
 
spynoodle

spynoodle

Active Member
MouSe said:
Sweeeet. All I needed to know really.
Click to expand...
Cool. :cool: Those drives are surprisingly fast for their RPMs, too. They must have some pretty huge platters (probably 3x666gb). I've personally switched from WD to Samsung in a couple of my comps, because they seem to offer great bang-for-the-buck.
 
M

MouSe

Member
I'm not too concerned with the speed of them actually. If it takes a couple seconds for the drive to spin up and let me watch my movie/TV show, so be it.
 
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