Hi guys,
I am thinking about building a HTPC/Gaming machine and have been doing some research on the internet, which I realized most had come from this forum
So I thought "might as well triple check before I order any parts" and decided to post this.
This is the first time I post in this forum and frankly speaking I don't have much experience with building computers and I am no expert in computer parts. I would love to learn though.
Thanks in advance for any inputs.
I will underline all questions just in case this gets too long.
=====Update 1=====
Thanks NBSN for the reply.
Just to clarify, the priority of use for this computer:
Computer simulation (i.e. MATLab)
> Video streaming (e.g. Netflix, Youtube)
> Video editing (e.g. Sony Vegas Pro)
> Gaming (e.g. Minecraft. I might try TF2, LOL, and other game but I doubt I will have the time)
I am still debating between AMD and Intel+Video Card, but here is an update list for the time being:
Version 2
CPU
Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
$195.99
CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
$29.99
Motherboard
Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
$85.31
Memory
Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$79.99
Storage
Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$65.00
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$59.99
Video Card
Asus Radeon HD 7770 2GB Video Card
$155.00
Case
Apex DS-539 HTPC Case w/275W Power Supply
$59.99
Total: $731.26
=====Original=====
So here we go:
Approximate Purchase Date:
- Ideally finish before September and end of the year.
Budget Range:
- $500 ~ $700 excluding monitors and other peripherals
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
- Running simulations (e.g. MATLab)
- Video editing (e.g. Sony Vegas Pro)
- Mediocre gaming (e.g.
- Video streaming (e.g. Netflix, youtube, etc)
Are you buying a monitor:
Yes.
Actually would probably need some suggestion on that too... I want double screen, but I am also tempted to buy a projector.
Parts Not Required:
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- OS (I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and Linux Mint)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
- The cheapest website I suppose?
Country:
- Canada
Overclocking:
Maybe
SLI or Crossfire:
No
Monitor Resolution:
1024x768+
Parts Preferences:
I have made a list of the components I am thinking of on pcpartpicker.com.
HTPC/Gaming Build by Guide
CPU
Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core $184.94
CPU Cooler
Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM $39.99
Motherboard
Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 $78.79
Memory
Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 $74.99
Storage
Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" SSD $64.40
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $52.92
Video Card
Asus Radeon HD 7770 2GB $130.48
Case
Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop $84.99
Power Supply
Silverstone 300W SFX12V $55.98
Total: $785.50
CPU:
Some people say that i3 is good enough for HTPC, but some also say that for a gaming machine it's better to get i5. I haven't quite made up my mind on this yet, so if anyone can give me some suggestion on this it would be great.
Alternative part: Intel Core i3-4130T 2.9GHz Dual-Core
CPU Cooler:
Noctua came highly recommended. That's the reason. If there are other cheaper and better device, feel free to mention them.
Motherboard:
I do believe the motherboard is good enough for the system, but I am only 70% sure of it.
A lot of the other builds I read about use ASRock boards, but I really like ASUS products.
Memory:
As far as I know, 8GB should be sufficient for the Windows 7/8. If it's permitted I might also install Linux Mint for dual boot, or at least run one in simulator in another.
Storage:
Has to have at least 1 SSD. 120 GB seemse to be enough for the operating system. I plan to put other files (videos, pictures, game files, etc) somewhere else for easy access. Would it be better to do this on an external hard drive, or on a SATA drive?
Video Card:
From the research HD 7770 seems to be best for most HTPC/gaming system.
Case:
I'd really rather this to be as flat and small as possible, seeing that I might move again soon.
Power Supply
As it stands the estimated wattage is 237W.
Additional Comments:
- Quiet PC is more preferable
- It gets intensely hot in the summer and I don't have AC in my apartment. I suppose I have to either cut down the power or have better cooling system. Any recommendation? Yes installing an AC can be included as an option
- Dust has been a problem before, I'm still researching on how to fight it
- As you can see the price is nearing $800. I'm looking for ways to cut down the costs. If you guys have any suggestions for parts, please do mention them.
Think this pretty much covered everything I need, but also feel like I forgot something.
Any comments, suggestions, recommendations, criticisms, and/or questions are welcomed. Thank you in advance again for your time and effort.
I am thinking about building a HTPC/Gaming machine and have been doing some research on the internet, which I realized most had come from this forum
So I thought "might as well triple check before I order any parts" and decided to post this.
This is the first time I post in this forum and frankly speaking I don't have much experience with building computers and I am no expert in computer parts. I would love to learn though.
Thanks in advance for any inputs.
I will underline all questions just in case this gets too long.
=====Update 1=====
Thanks NBSN for the reply.
Just to clarify, the priority of use for this computer:
Computer simulation (i.e. MATLab)
> Video streaming (e.g. Netflix, Youtube)
> Video editing (e.g. Sony Vegas Pro)
> Gaming (e.g. Minecraft. I might try TF2, LOL, and other game but I doubt I will have the time)
I am still debating between AMD and Intel+Video Card, but here is an update list for the time being:
Version 2
CPU
Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
$195.99
CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
$29.99
Motherboard
Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
$85.31
Memory
Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$79.99
Storage
Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$65.00
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$59.99
Video Card
Asus Radeon HD 7770 2GB Video Card
$155.00
Case
Apex DS-539 HTPC Case w/275W Power Supply
$59.99
Total: $731.26
=====Original=====
So here we go:
Approximate Purchase Date:
- Ideally finish before September and end of the year.
Budget Range:
- $500 ~ $700 excluding monitors and other peripherals
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
- Running simulations (e.g. MATLab)
- Video editing (e.g. Sony Vegas Pro)
- Mediocre gaming (e.g.
- Video streaming (e.g. Netflix, youtube, etc)
Are you buying a monitor:
Yes.
Actually would probably need some suggestion on that too... I want double screen, but I am also tempted to buy a projector.
Parts Not Required:
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- OS (I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and Linux Mint)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
- The cheapest website I suppose?
Country:
- Canada
Overclocking:
Maybe
SLI or Crossfire:
No
Monitor Resolution:
1024x768+
Parts Preferences:
I have made a list of the components I am thinking of on pcpartpicker.com.
HTPC/Gaming Build by Guide
CPU
Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core $184.94
CPU Cooler
Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM $39.99
Motherboard
Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 $78.79
Memory
Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 $74.99
Storage
Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" SSD $64.40
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $52.92
Video Card
Asus Radeon HD 7770 2GB $130.48
Case
Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop $84.99
Power Supply
Silverstone 300W SFX12V $55.98
Total: $785.50
CPU:
Some people say that i3 is good enough for HTPC, but some also say that for a gaming machine it's better to get i5. I haven't quite made up my mind on this yet, so if anyone can give me some suggestion on this it would be great.
Alternative part: Intel Core i3-4130T 2.9GHz Dual-Core
CPU Cooler:
Noctua came highly recommended. That's the reason. If there are other cheaper and better device, feel free to mention them.
Motherboard:
I do believe the motherboard is good enough for the system, but I am only 70% sure of it.
A lot of the other builds I read about use ASRock boards, but I really like ASUS products.
Memory:
As far as I know, 8GB should be sufficient for the Windows 7/8. If it's permitted I might also install Linux Mint for dual boot, or at least run one in simulator in another.
Storage:
Has to have at least 1 SSD. 120 GB seemse to be enough for the operating system. I plan to put other files (videos, pictures, game files, etc) somewhere else for easy access. Would it be better to do this on an external hard drive, or on a SATA drive?
Video Card:
From the research HD 7770 seems to be best for most HTPC/gaming system.
Case:
I'd really rather this to be as flat and small as possible, seeing that I might move again soon.
Power Supply
As it stands the estimated wattage is 237W.
Additional Comments:
- Quiet PC is more preferable
- It gets intensely hot in the summer and I don't have AC in my apartment. I suppose I have to either cut down the power or have better cooling system. Any recommendation? Yes installing an AC can be included as an option
- Dust has been a problem before, I'm still researching on how to fight it
- As you can see the price is nearing $800. I'm looking for ways to cut down the costs. If you guys have any suggestions for parts, please do mention them.
Think this pretty much covered everything I need, but also feel like I forgot something.
Any comments, suggestions, recommendations, criticisms, and/or questions are welcomed. Thank you in advance again for your time and effort.