HTPC Build

[scumm4]

I am in the planning stage of an HTPC build. This what I have so far:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Dependent on the release of certain components

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HD video and sound, gaming (to a certain extent)

Case - Silverstone G02

Motherboard - *see below*

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 945 (95W)

Heatsink/Fan - Scythe Katana 3

GPU - Sapphire's new Radeon HD 4770, complete with Arctic Cooling HSF (not available yet?)

RAM - *dependent on MoBo*

Storage - WD Caviar Green (1TB)

Optical - Samsung (already own this)

PSU - SeaSonic M12 700W

For the Motherboard I am curious to see the performance of the Foxconn Cinema II deluxe (I am assuming it is not currently available in the US. RAM is dependent on this as it uses DDR3 (785G). What do you guys think? Too much? Too Little?

 

[batuchka]

What type of games and what resolution would games run on i.e 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080? This would determine how much GPU horsepower u require

 

[mindless728]

i would go for the corsair 450VX, you don't need 700w, though i give you credit for picking a very good brand

 

[jaguarskx]

700w is overkill. A Seasonic S12/M12 500w PSU will be more than enough.

A HD 4770 should be good enough for "light gaming" regardless of the resolution assuming you can live with medium graphics quality and you are not looking for the highest FPS as possible.

 

[jaguarskx]

I recommend you do not rely on a single hard drive in your HTPC especially if you are going to have a lot of media files.

See my response in the following link for how I set up my HTPC regarding hard drives:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270283-31-htpc-light-gaming-storage-build

 

[scumm4]

Would an HD 4850 run to hot (or loud) for this type of build?

 

[jaguarskx]

Yes.

Better card would be the HD 4770 since it runs cooler. On average it is 6% - 8% slower than the HD 4850, but since it consumes about half the power (~50w to 60w vs 110w) it will be cooler at lower fan speed.

 

[scumm4]

Does anyone have any information on the Foxconn Cinema II motherboards? Also with the currently spec'd components, do you think the case is also overkill (maybe a smaller unit would work just as well)? I will also look into a different PSU.

 

[scumm4]

Here is the retooled build:

Case - Silverstone G02

Motherboard - ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO

CPU - AMD Phenom II X3 720

Heatsink/Fan - Scythe Katana 3

GPU - ASUS EAH4770 Formula Radeon HD 4770

RAM - Crucial Ballistix 4GB (BL2KIT25664BA1336)

Storage - WD Caviar Green (1TB)

Optical - Samsung (already own this)

PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX

How does this revised build look. Does anyone have any suggestions on a different case? Not so sure about the current pick.