New Entertainment Build ~$400-$500

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bigmix

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I am trying to put together a HTPC/Gaming build for an extra TV. Need help with confirming components.

Approximate Purchase Date: THIS WEEK

Budget Range: $500 / After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC running XBMC, GAMING

Are you buying a monitor: NO – Will connect to 3D LED TV

Parts to Upgrade: NEW BUILD

Do you need to buy OS: NO – WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE ALREADY ON HAND


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: AMAZON.COM then NEWEGG.COM (I AM CHARGED 10% more at NEWEGG

Location: Knoxville, TN

Parts Preferences: No Preference

Overclocking: Maybe – Probably Not

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe – if needed, probably not

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Quiet, HTPC CASE in Enclosed Cabinet

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: New System

Here is what I am leaning towards:

CASE: Silverstone ML03B - $55

OS Drive: Samsung 840 Series 2.5 inch 120GB SSD - $100

CPU: AMD A8-5600K APU 3.6Ghz - $98

RAM: Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2x4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz - $63

PSU: SilverStone Strider 400W - $49

MOBO: ASRock Socket FM2/AMD A75 PRO4-M - $70

Total: $435
I will be adding some 120MM fans to the cabinet to pull more air.

My main questions:

1. Is this APU going to give as good a performance as a dedicated CPU and GPU for around the same price? Example: Pentium G2020 + 6770 or even upgraded to FX 6300 + dedicated GPU
2. Is the A8-6600k worth an extra $20? AMD A8-6600K Richland 4.3GHz - $120
3. For the Trinity and Richland APUs would it be better to buy the 8GB RAM 1600MHZ or 4GB RAM 1866MHZ for $20 less? Kingston HyperX Genesis 4 GB Kit (2x2 GB Modules) 1866MHz - $47
4. Do I need an aftermarket CPU Cooler? Cooler Master GeminII M4 - $35
5. Will the MOBO be able to use the front USB 3.0 on the case I have read mixed opinions on this?
6. Would this PSU be better buy or about the same? Seasonic 430W SLI ATX12V Power Supply S12II -$60
7. Any other changes you might see to save me some $$$? I am up for any recommendations regarding any of the above components.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
Solution
Madn3ss795
Description says S524 doesn't due to its height ( I should have Googled this first ). You need the GeminII M4 instead to fit into that case. And no, GeminII M4 won't block those GSkill Sniper bars, if that question just raised in your head.

Just remember to pick your solution when all got solved :bounce:
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Madn3ss795

Madn3ss795

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I can only add stronger RAM for better IGP performance. Other parts are sweet:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($98.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $445.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-20 10:42 EDT-0400)

For your question: G2010+hd6770 has worse CPU performance but more graphic performance than an A8 ( A8's IGP with 1866mhz ram is only equals with HD6570 )
2. Nope. A10 5800k is better at that price, bth CPU and GPU ends.
3. 1866mhz ram gives a huge boost to IGP's performance ( over 15% ). 2000mhz will be optimal, but quite expensive.
4. Yes if you want a quiet system. AMD's stock coolers are quite noisy.
5. Motherboard has usb3 ports and case has a pass-through usb3.0 cable. They will work together without any problems.
6. Yes, higher quality yet lower noise. The Seasonic G PSU I picked in my fixed part list is on par with S12II also.
7. As said at first, parts you picked are great at they price, and lower any part will hurt performance/features/noise.
 
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bigmix

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Will this ram work with the Cooler Master GeminII M4 - $35 or would I need to go with this Kingston Hyper X 8GB (2x4GB Modules) 1866MHz $86 @ Amazon or this G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 $72 @ Newegg (w/ 10% off). Your recommendation has better pricing, but the heatsink is a little tall.


On par with the SeaSonic I linked, so 430 vs 360 another decision. Seasonic 430W SLI ATX12V Power Supply S12II -$60

Thanks for the input. So would the A10 - 5800k going to be worth the upgrade or just stick with the A8?

I guess I would like to try some FPS games, and I will be streaming 1080p and 3d hardwired from a server. If that helps with the ooverall picture.

Would you have a media center universal remote you could recommend?
 
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Madn3ss795

Madn3ss795

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Sorry for the late reply ( it was night time here ). S524 has 47mm clearance for RAM so Vengeance bars won't fit. That GSkill Sniper kit 2133mhz seems to have a good price, and will fit under the S524 nicely. I suggest changing RAM kit to that one.

I thought the G series 360w has modular cables, but sadly it doesn't, so the S12II 430w you listed is the better choice here.

Getting the 5800k worth it. 20% increase in IGP performance.

I'm not very familiar with htpc remotes, thou. Based on user's feedback, this one does the job quite well : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101002

Or this one if you don't want a huge receiver to come out from the front of your case : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101008
 
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bigmix

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Thank you so much for responding. Does that S524 fit in the ML03B?
 
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Madn3ss795

Madn3ss795

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Mar 19, 2013
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Description says S524 doesn't due to its height ( I should have Googled this first ). You need the GeminII M4 instead to fit into that case. And no, GeminII M4 won't block those GSkill Sniper bars, if that question just raised in your head.

Just remember to pick your solution when all got solved :bounce:
 
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bigmix

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Feb 15, 2011
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Thanks, sorry for all the questions. I am trying to learn too while trying to throw something together. Maybe my questions help someone else down the road. Thank you again.
 
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