final specs for first time htpc/gaming build

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woody0111

Honorable
Apr 26, 2013
55
0
10,630
Hi All,

I've been thinking about knocking together a htpc/light gaming pc for awhile. I wanted to keep it on tight budget and it will be connected to my 720p/1080i (1366 x 768) tv.
I just wanted the all clear given but some people who know a damn site more then i do.
Any advise or recommendation is much welcome.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/woody0111/saved/1PYc


PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/1a2J9
Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/1a2J9/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/1a2J9/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor (£83.99 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard (£72.33 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£41.45 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£43.19 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card (£84.99 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case (£34.28 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) (£67.19 @ Aria PC)
Total: £427.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-25 09:59 BST+0100)
 
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vertexx

Honorable
Apr 2, 2013
747
1
11,060
Depends on your budget. I haves similar build but with a Silverstone SG08 and an EVGA GTX 660. ITX builds are perfect for a gaming HTPC, and that Cooler Master is a great, well reviewed budget choice.

The I3-3220 is also a fantastic budget chip, and it runs cool and quiet on its stock cooler.

For your build, if you are on a budget, a 300-400W PSU is all you need (in reality, 150W would run the components listed just fine).

You also don't get much benefit out of 1866 ram, so if 1600 saves some $$, then get that.

The only thing I'd recommend upgrading if you have budget is the GPU, but it depends on the type of gaming you do, and it depends on budget.
 
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woody0111

Honorable
Apr 26, 2013
55
0
10,630
id love to go for the sg08 or something like that but it would just push the price up to high unfortunately. I really did want to go for a matx/atx case purely as, this being my first build, i thought it would help to have a bit more room. the coolmaster does look a bit cramped! unfortunately any decent looking matx/atx case is always bloody expensive.

Regarding the GPU i figured at the resolution id be playing at it should do nicely. Dunno if i'd hit the dizzy heights of Ultra on BF3 but should still be better then current gen consoles right?
If i could find a hd7790 (or even a hd7850!) at a good price id consider that.
 
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woody0111

Honorable
Apr 26, 2013
55
0
10,630
It doesnt have to be mitx but all the uatx seem to be either really expensive or really rubbish. I've really struggled to find a middle ground. It would need to be a desk top case that could sit in my TV cabinet. Maybe something like an sg05 but even they are expensive.
 
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Kalvin81Omar

Honorable
Jun 2, 2013
25
0
10,530
wow! i just posted the question regarding almost same build yesterday. Very budget friendly.
I've the same priority so far ie; 3220 i3 and HD 7770. My other option was to go with i5 4430 with intel HD 4600 but most guys recommended against it.

@woody0111.
What were you other motherboard preferences in the same price range? Thanks.
 
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vertexx

Honorable
Apr 2, 2013
747
1
11,060
Take a look at the Silverstone SG02 or SG09. SG02 is going to give you a little more room to build. SG09 is a performance oriented case - may be overkill for what you need.

Keep in mind that the equivalent uATX motherboard runs (at least in the US) $30 cheaper than the ITX version. (Looking at the ASRock H77M uATX motherboard).

SG09 will run your build price up because it needs a slim optical drive (if you're going to include one). SG02 uses standard 5.25 bays.

I've read through the reviews on both and have built with the SG08. I think the SG02 will be a much easier build.

But don't be too afraid of the Mini-ITX build with that Cooler Master case. My first build was with the Silverstone SG08, and Silverstones are known for their tricky build. The Cooler Master is well reviewed, supports standard components, and looks very well laid out. Just take your time, and the build will be fine.

It all depends on what size you want to fit in your media cabinet vs. how much future expandability you want whether you go with the Cooler Master or something like the Silverstone SG02.
 
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