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HTPC & Gaming Living Room PC

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December 7, 2013 1:02:15 PM

So I'm looking to build my first HTPC that I'm also going to be using for gaming. I mainly just play sports games but want to play them at high resolution still on my 42" TV. Would appreciate any help on the build. I've done many PC builds in the past but new to HTPC's

Approximate Purchase Date: Next few weeks (before Christmas)
Budget Range: Like to keep under $700
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC/gaming use. Will mostly be playing sports game but still would like to play at 1080p on a 42" TV
Are you buying a monitor: No, using TV
Do you need to buy OS: No OS Required.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NCIX Canada, or Newegg Canada
Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, XFX Vid Card (flexible)
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Additional Comments: Having a quiet PC is key for this as it will be in my living room, also I'm limited in size for a case as I have only one slot in my TV stand.

Case: I'm very restricted here because I only have a slot approximately, 17.5" Wide, 4.125" Tall, and 15" Long. After doing some research it seems only the Silverstone ML03B and ML05B will suit this. I would prefer the ML03B, since it can take a standard ATX PSU and it's larger. May as well maximize space.

CPU: Obviously an I3 or lower would be fine just on a HTPC build, but since I will be using it for gaming I think it would be wise to step up to an I5

Heatsink: Not 100% sure if this is necessary, trying to go for a quiet/low temp build, so a low profile Noctua might be suitable.

Motherboard: Don't need WIFI as this will be hard-wired into my network, won't be doing any overclocking or multiple video cards, so barebones motherboard should do.

RAM: Already have from another build

SSD: Going to be getting a 120-128GB SSD, because my main PC currently has a 60GB SSD that I want to swap out for this build. Trying to keep this under $140.
- All other storage will be used from my main media server which has 12TB

Video Card: I'm a bit lost on this one to be honest, haven't kept up with recent generation cards, and looking for something that will be quiet and will keep cool. Was looking at the XFX 7770

- Will be purchasing other addons such as a XBOX 360 wireless controller receiver, and a wireless Rii Keyboard/Mouse... but will omit those from the build for this purpose.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.00 @ NCIX)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.69 @ NCIX)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($64.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $619.63

Currently what I have right now, open to any/all suggestions. I'm only set on the case at this point.

More about : htpc gaming living room

a b 4 Gaming
December 7, 2013 1:21:36 PM

Without links its impossible to be sure but I believe the graphics card is a full height card and could not fit in to your case .

From memory there are some 7750's that are half height , but I am not sure .

I would find more space . I just built a similar [ but non -gaming ] pc in a silverstone GD 05 and that is a case very capable of fitting and cooling the hardware you need to game
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December 7, 2013 2:54:10 PM

Unfortunately there is just nowhere else for more space in my TV stand, I agree more space would be nice. That's why I'm trying to maximize and go with the largest case that will fit in that spot. I'm having difficulty finding a proper gaming video card at the half-height... that's kind of the dilemna I'm in.

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a b 4 Gaming
December 7, 2013 4:44:32 PM

I took my TV stand apart and re-drilled a couple of holes so I could fit the GD 05 in

That Im afraid is the only kind of answer that is going to let you fit a suitable gaming card
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December 7, 2013 7:11:47 PM

Well, I didn't really want to do this but I suppose I could put it on the bookcase right beside my TV. The only restriction would be it's 10" deep and I would cut a hole in the back part of the bookcase to run the cables to the TV and power bar. You are right though outlander thinking about it some more, a case only 4" tall will not allow for a full height GPU and will limit everything.

I like the look of the bitfenix mATX and mITX cases, such as the phenom M. I'm really looking for a nondescript plain black case with no handles etc.
I suppose with the case restriction out of the way, I might be able to get recommendations on a proper video card and setup now?

Thanks again for all the help.
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December 8, 2013 1:56:42 PM

Alright I was really trying to keep this under $700, but it doesn't seem doable with an I5, decent video card, and a nice case I was wanting for the living room.

So far I've come up with this.
CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor $201.98
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler $33.99
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard $67.00
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $109.99
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card $193.98
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case $89.99
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply $89.99
Total: $786.92

Any suggestion on how to possible reduce this close to $700? I also wanted to get a better CPU cooler, but the Noctua ones just pushed it even higher in price.
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a c 280 4 Gaming
December 8, 2013 2:14:11 PM

JordoR said:
Alright I was really trying to keep this under $700, but it doesn't seem doable with an I5, decent video card, and a nice case I was wanting for the living room.

So far I've come up with this.
CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor $201.98
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler $33.99
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard $67.00
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $109.99
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card $193.98
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case $89.99
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply $89.99
Total: $786.92

Any suggestion on how to possible reduce this close to $700? I also wanted to get a better CPU cooler, but the Noctua ones just pushed it even higher in price.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($70.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Phenom Midnight Black Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Tough Power 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $728.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-08 17:12 EST-0500)

You can't overclock the CPU you have in your build. If you want to keep it under $700 without overclocking you can switch it to your CPU.
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December 8, 2013 3:38:23 PM

Thanks for the build RazerZ, I've re-looked at my build a bit. I don't plan on overclocking, but am tempted to just go with the 4670K for the extra 30 bucks. I believe your prices are in American though, hence the much lower price.

I don't need memory as I have some from another build. Unfortunately the case is a very large portion of the budget, but I can't find anything else with the same sleek look since it will be on display in my living room.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2hgU4
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2hgU4/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2hgU4/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($246.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.07 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($163.80 @ DirectCanada)
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.90 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $777.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-08 18:37 EST-0500)
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a b 4 Gaming
December 8, 2013 4:01:50 PM

RazerZ said:
JordoR said:
Alright I was really trying to keep this under $700, but it doesn't seem doable with an I5, decent video card, and a nice case I was wanting for the living room.

So far I've come up with this.
CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor $201.98
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler $33.99
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard $67.00
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $109.99
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card $193.98
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case $89.99
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply $89.99
Total: $786.92

Any suggestion on how to possible reduce this close to $700? I also wanted to get a better CPU cooler, but the Noctua ones just pushed it even higher in price.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($70.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Phenom Midnight Black Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Tough Power 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $728.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-08 17:12 EST-0500)

You can't overclock the CPU you have in your build. If you want to keep it under $700 without overclocking you can switch it to your CPU.


You cant overclock the unlocked K sku processor on an H81 board

The power supply massive overkill since 500 watt would be fine
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December 9, 2013 7:08:42 PM

Thanks again for the help, I've though about it some more and basically have two scenarios.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($205.93 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.00 @ NCIX)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($229.79 @ DirectCanada)
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99)
Total: $668.49

Or, for a $40 savings I could go with an AMD FX-8350 and comparable motherboard. I've looked at some benchmarks and test builds and it seems like the FX-8350 outperforms the 4570 in almost everything aside from single threaded applications, and it's cheaper.. am I missing something here? It's hard for me to swallow this because I would confess to being a bit of an Intel fanboy.

As well am I getting the best value with the 270X or is there something better I could go with for the price range?
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