Look over my new HTPC build?

[dnollat]

I've read a lot of good stuff on this forum and I followed one of Shinobi's builds to help me pick the components on my first HTPC build. No big problems, but I had to swap a couple components due to availability at microcenter, so if someone can look over and let me know if there is any glaring issue - I would appreciate it. I really am a VERY new to all of this. Thanks!

Approximate Purchase Date: All items purchased

Budget Range:$500-$600 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching 1080p, WEB Browsing Streaming, Music (No gaming ever)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Microcenter

Country: US

Parts Preferences: No preference

Overclocking: No (because I don’t know how ☺)

SLI or Crossfire: No


Case: Antec 300 case - $49.99 (I need to change this, it’s about three inches too deep for my cabinet.) Thoughts?

HD: Hitachi IDE3.5 500GB 7.2k RPM - $89.99

Mobo: Asrock z68 extreme3 gen 3 - $86.99

Fans: 2xKingwin 120mm red LED case fan - $7.99/each

GPU: N/A

PSU: OCZTech **550w FATAL1TY PSU - $59.99 ($39.99 with rebate)

Ram: Samsung Green 2x4gb ddr3 1600 DIMM - $39.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz

CD drive: N/A

Total Cost: ~500 after $20.00 worth of MIR's


I have a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard and didn’t think about how to hook these up, would I just use a dongle?

Thanks again!

 

[spentshells]

Wow you sure are spending lots on this.
Maybe move to this for a processor ?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115090
take that money and apply it to a larger hard drive
the case im sorry I just can't help you with.

 

[dnollat]

Thanks for the response. Besides toning down the processor, how does everything else look?

 

[geekapproved]

A 2500K for a HTPC? The whole point of a HTPC is to be green and quiet.

The motherboard and case you chose also has nothing to do with a HTPC either. Your title should say, Looking for a new PC build to use as a HTPC.

I'd recommend any i3. You really don't need to get a low power version, you could just underclock the regular version for less money.

Remember Ivy is right around the corner with MUCH improved graphics core and will only be 35w for the highest end models I believe.

 

[dnollat]

Thanks geekapproved, you're right, it's more of a pc/htpc hybrid, in the sense that it doesn't have to be as small as a true htpc, as it will sit inside of a cabinet. Which mother board and case would you choose instead?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Which Microcenter are you going to be shopping at. Not sure if prices differ from location to location.

A true HTPC (read no gaming), does not need to be very powerful at all. Look to the specs of mine in my signature. It will do everything you want and more.

-Wolf sends

 

[dnollat]

Wolf - which case are you using?

 

[serialkiller]

man u are trying to build a htpc with parts of hpc!!!

U wont need that kind of power even anthlon x2 would sufix but u asked intel

cpu : if buying within 2 days then this should as it has an offer www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

or i would suggested a pentium g830 or below

the mobo www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157239
i would suggest the asus one and is cheap but out of stock

case www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174

ssd u should think of getting an ssd and u wont go again to a hdd
ocz or intel 60gb is enough

psu check this if it fits www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151086
if not thenwww.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151089

i repeat again

intel i3 2100 or pentium g830
asrock mini itx h67 mobo
ur ram and hdd
intel or ocz 60 gb ssd
seasonic 300w 80+ bronze psu

 

[Wolfshadw]

Wolf - which case are you using?

I have an old NMediaPC 200BA case for my HTPC.

-Wolf sends

Edit: If I were building an HTPC today, I'd probably be looking at something like:

nMEDIAPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - For expandability.
hec Micro ATX Media Center 300W Power Supply / HTPC Case - For size.

 

[serialkiller]

to my above build replacd that case with www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204037&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040X43d19c5b70849c4dff9d68d7aff4a81d and u are good to go

 

[Wolfshadw]

@ DNollat

btw - I just took another look at your original build. You have an IDE hard drive listed, but your motherboard listed does not have an IDE port. Change your hard drive to a SATA Drive.

-Wolf sends

 

[dnollat]

Thanks for the help guys, I ended going with Wolf's build. One more question, will I have any issues installing windows 7 from usb? (I don't have any real use for an optical drive)

 

[geekapproved]

Thanks for the help guys, I ended going with Wolf's build. One more question, will I have any issues installing windows 7 from usb? (I don't have any real use for an optical drive)

That was a horrible choice. Outdated discontinued parts. His point was that you don't need that much processing power, he didn't mean you should buy the old discontinued parts he's using.

You should have went with i3 and H61/H67 like 3 other people told you or even an A8, something modern. Oh well, maybe next time you'll go with the majority.

 

[Tavo_Nova]

well at least he can upgrade some other stuff like the cooler and add in some gpu and turn it into a real pc in a sense

 

[geekapproved]

He wouldn't even have needed a video card had he listened to what the majority of us were telling him and went with an efficient cpu with built in gpu. That's the whole definition of HTPC. And he could have went with much smaller more efficient power supply.

What are his upgrade options? A discontinued Phenom II X4? Inneficient and slower than a i3, which would have been an upgradable platform too.

 

[Marshall63]

If I was you I would get a llano a 6 quad core.

 

[dnollat]

Best answer selected by DNollat.