Would you please give my HTPC build a once over?

[buckinghamU]

Looking to build a small htpc to be hooked via hdmi to our tv. (Ladyfriend doesn't like having to hook/unhook laptop)
Goals/requirements:
~Price point of 300-400
~Able to wirelessly stream content via xbmc, netflix, hulu,others
~Do not need 3dtv capability
~Do not need blu ray capability (have a ps3)
~quiet/low power usage


This is what I have so far, I can scavenge a dvd drive and an Antec su-380 psu (would I be better off just buying a new PSU?) Planning on using an older wireless keyboard/mouse or springing for one of those slick looking lenovo trackball/keypads. Additionally, I have a 500gb 3.5 drive currently in an enclosure I would put into the pc as its primary drive.

Am I on the right track or would you change anything around?
Direct Links:
RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231438
mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157238
cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116399
case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035

Thanks!

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Overall everything is compatible; I do have a couple questions. The motherboard that you selected is a mini-ITX form factor board which is supported on the case but the case is micro-ATX; so you may be able to select a small mini-ITX form factor case and save yourself some room. Also you talk about having a very quite system so you might want to take a look at the Intel® Core™ i3-2100T. This processor is coming with a low-profile HSF (heatsink/fan) and has a TDP of only 35w vs. 65w on the Intel Pentium® that you have listed. Also moving to the Intel Core i3-2100T will allow you to run a smaller power supply (again less noise). These are just some ideas for you to think about with your build.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[buckinghamU]

I wanted to go with a larger case for the flexibility to add drives in the future. But looking over the selected mono specs, can it support more than 2drives at once over sata?

 

[rwpritchett]

I wanted to go with a larger case for the flexibility to add drives in the future. But looking over the selected mono specs, can it support more than 2drives at once over sata?

Yes, it has 4 SATA ports total. 2 are SATA 3.0 and 2 are SATA 6.0 so the spec page on newegg is a bit misleading by saying it only has 2.

I agree with mr intel, if you are getting a micro-ATX case, then get a micro ATX motherboard. If you truly want small, then get an ITX case. Motherboard size won't affect how many hard drives a case can hold unless you plan to velcro drives into the case.

 

[buckinghamU]

I'm getting most of my hardware selections culling through av forum builds, thanks for the catch.

Any thought as to reusing a psu vs purchasing a new one for this application?

 

[rwpritchett]

The Antec SU-380 will work fine with a low power HTPC. As long as the PSU fan is still reasonably quiet, it should be OK.

Since you are new the the HTPC crowd, give the following guide a read to help your decision making:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559

 

[buckinghamU]

Thanks, I had been basing most of my part selection off that guide.

After taking another look at the dimensions of my original case, and the space available in my application, I think going with a mini-itx case would be a better choice.
With that in mind, would this bill of materials make sense?

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147133
Boot Drive: http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-64gb-ssdnow-v100-series-2-5-sata-ii-internal-solid-state-drive/q/loc/101/218194457.html
Storage Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152245
wifi: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704045
ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231438
mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157238
cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116399

Thank you again

The Antec SU-380 will work fine with a low power HTPC. As long as the PSU fan is still reasonably quiet, it should be OK.

Since you are new the the HTPC crowd, give the following guide a read to help your decision making:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559

 

[rwpritchett]

That looks like one of the builds from Assassin's guide. Everything is compatible and will do what you want/need. Does it meet your budget? What about a remote?

 

[buckinghamU]

Comes in around 400, 350 after the rebate on the ssd. my plan was to use a second hand wireless keyboard/mouse and keep an eye out for a deal on one of the Lenovo keyboard/mouse all in ones.

 

[buckinghamU]

Again, sorry if this is forehead slapping obvious, but what (if any) additional cables or things do I need to add to that build as posted?
The pictures for the mobo look like they have 2 sata cables included, I have a partial tube of thermal compound from a previous project, and I have an assortment of smaller screwdrivers.
Thanks for the pointing/hand holding.

 

[rwpritchett]

Everything you need should be included. The heatsink for the CPU will even come with thermal paste pre-applied. The only omission I can think of is the OS. You'll also need an HDMI cable if you don't already have one.

Be sure to let us know how your project turns out.

 

[buckinghamU]

Would it be worthwhile to strip the thermal paste and reapply arctic silver?
OS should be a spare Win 7 license from a friend.
HDMI is taken care of as well, have one from my old cable box, cutting the cord Charter!

I will, Thanks so much for the help!

 

[buckinghamU]

Best answer selected by buckinghamU.

 

[rwpritchett]

I always clean off the stock paste myself. They always put too much on the heatsink.

I cut the cord from Comcast back in '07. It takes some getting used to, but I don't miss 100+ channels of garbage I don't watch. I miss the live sports though.