Hi guys, I'm planning to build a low-power, budget HTPC. It would be used for playing 1080p HD movies, and some general use like browsing, and productivity tasks. Light gaming on low settings would be welcome but not really required.
I want it to use the least power as possible, make the lowest possible noise, within the smallest possible case, on a $400 budget. (Feel free to knock some sense out of me if all this sounds ridiculous).
For the parts, here's what I've been planning so far:
CPU: Intel Celeron G1820 2.7GHz Dual-Core
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 750GB 2.5" 5400RPM
For the case, I'm torn between the SilverStone ML05 and Cooler Master Elite 120.
The ML05 gives the sleek and small form factor I'm looking for, but the CM120 seems to be a lot better at cooling and gives more room for upgrades (graphics card, extra drives) at the expense of the extra bulk.
I also considered going for a micro ATX build, since it that route seems to be cheaper, and the parts are easier to find, but that form factor is a little too big for me. Is the size worth it?
Any advice/tips regarding the case and the overall build will be greatly appreciated.
I want it to use the least power as possible, make the lowest possible noise, within the smallest possible case, on a $400 budget. (Feel free to knock some sense out of me if all this sounds ridiculous).
For the parts, here's what I've been planning so far:
CPU: Intel Celeron G1820 2.7GHz Dual-Core
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 750GB 2.5" 5400RPM
For the case, I'm torn between the SilverStone ML05 and Cooler Master Elite 120.
The ML05 gives the sleek and small form factor I'm looking for, but the CM120 seems to be a lot better at cooling and gives more room for upgrades (graphics card, extra drives) at the expense of the extra bulk.
I also considered going for a micro ATX build, since it that route seems to be cheaper, and the parts are easier to find, but that form factor is a little too big for me. Is the size worth it?
Any advice/tips regarding the case and the overall build will be greatly appreciated.