Windows 7 HTPC Build

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xThumbx

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Mar 3, 2013
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10,510
Hey guys! I'm looking at purchasing a PC in the next few days to act as an HTPC and a media/file server serving my locally stored media to other devices around the house. I currently have a 7 year old Fujitsu laptop slaved to this duty, and man is it loud! It struggles with everything I throw at it, so it's time for it to be replaced.

I've put this build together, and before I pull the trigger, I just wanted to get some other people's opinions as to whether I'm: A, overspending or B: going overboard (or otherwise) with the components. I'll be running Windows (I already have a copy), with XBMC and Plex running my media. I'm shooting for a quiet PC that's powerful enough to accomplish my above-stated goals without being too loud (that is a focus point since my current laptop roars like a lion anytime it is on). This is my first build, so absolutely any advice is appreciated! Thanks everybody!

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($44.99 @ TigerDirect)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($66.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $340.89

 
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I
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-richland-intel-haswell-gpu_7.html#sect0 - Intel integrated graphics is better. But you pay for it.

I use a 120GB SSD for my Operating System and end up with a lot of other crap on it that's hard to stop going on it. I've got a bit of room left. I think you should also go for 120GB.

Motherboards like having 2 memory slots filled rather than just 1 - easier on the Memory Controller. Can you go 2 x 2 GB?

Are you putting a HDD in it? I think a 4GB Seagate Barracuda would be good.

The smaller the case, the hotter it gets and the harder and noisier the fans get.
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i7Baby

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Jul 25, 2012
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http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-richland-intel-haswell-gpu_7.html#sect0 - Intel integrated graphics is better. But you pay for it.

I use a 120GB SSD for my Operating System and end up with a lot of other crap on it that's hard to stop going on it. I've got a bit of room left. I think you should also go for 120GB.

Motherboards like having 2 memory slots filled rather than just 1 - easier on the Memory Controller. Can you go 2 x 2 GB?

Are you putting a HDD in it? I think a 4GB Seagate Barracuda would be good.

The smaller the case, the hotter it gets and the harder and noisier the fans get.
 
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X

xThumbx

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
21
0
10,510
Thanks for quick response man! I'd love to put an Intel processor, but I just can't afford it (sadly).

What do you have filling up the SSD? I was hoping I could get away with just 64GB since I have an external with all my media on it. Do you think it's possible to get away with 64GB?

I didn't realize there were negative effects associated with leaving a memory slot open! Thanks for that. I'll switch to a 2x2 setup. On another RAM related note, is 4GB enough (in your opinion) to do the things for which I'm shooting, or should I splurge and get 8GB?

I will eventually put a HDD in it, but for now I'm going to continue to use an external USB 3.0 drive. Once the budget allows, I plan on putting in a 3-4 TB Seagate in there.

Do you think that case is too small? I chose it primarily for the aesthetic appeal (has to pass the "WAT", Wife Approval Test). Any recommendations on other cases that might pass that rigorous test?
 
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xThumbx

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
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10,510
Perhaps this build instead (using several of the upgrades/fixes proposed in the earlier posts)?

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Sandisk 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.07 @ NCIX US)
Case: Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case ($66.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $366.97
 
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i7Baby

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On my SSD, as well as Windows, there's - Graphics card updaters and drivers, some Users (I had to do a Move Users - google it), printer drivers and software, various mobo drivers, mouse and keyboard software, modem/router software, etc, And when you format it you lose a lot of space. If SSDs ever fill up they're stuffed.
A lot of this stuff doesn't allow putting it elsewhere (on my HDD) on installation. I think some of it is old and assumes you're using a spacious hard drive as your boot drive. SSDs have only become common in the last 2 years.
 
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X

xThumbx

Honorable
Mar 3, 2013
21
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10,510
Ahhh...gotcha. Thanks for that info, I hadn't really considered all of that (being a noob and all). Any other last minute suggestions to improve that last build before I pull the trigger?
 
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