Hi guys,
I'm focused primarily on HTPC function. I grabbed a great deal on my data plan (200 mbps u/d) and I decided to punt my cable + internet. I'm putting the savings toward a new HTPC that will hopefully also be able to handle my backup needs, host some of my dev projects with occassional VM, and maybe some light gaming.
I just bought the following gear from Microcenter (i5 + Z68 sale) and Newegg and before my return window ends, I thought it best to run my build by the experts first. I bought the minimum I'd need to get up and running, but I still need to buy HDD(s) for backup.
I'm fairly new to the build process and I'm wondering what type of backup arrangement is the best balance of price + performance for the build I have so far. I've been thinking of trying out RAID 1 with two HDD's. I've done some cursory research (hardware and software based RAID) and I'm wondering if you guys wouldn't mind making a recommendation (if this is the right place).
I decided to get a 650W PSU to provide space to maybe add a video card. Outside of the budget I listed above, what video card might you guys recommend that would enhance HTPC (is it even needed for HTPC?) and support light gaming for under $200?
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Approximate Purchase Date: complete the build this week.
Budget Range: $600-$900 after rebates (not including video card and router)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC (streaming video, occassional video encoding), NAS, light dev work (web host and VMware, light gaming (Civ, maybe more in the future).
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS. Running Windows 7 Ultimate.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg (ShopRunner), Amazon (Prime), no preference for the right gear.
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: no preference.
Overclocking: maybe?
SLI or Crossfire: maybe?
Monitor Resolution: 1920x 1200
Additional Comments: ideally very quiet and low power consumption
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So here's what I've bought so far:
CPU: Core i5 2500K LGA 1155
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589
169.99
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
34.99
Motherboard: P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775
59.99 = 109.99 - 50.00 (Microcenter i5 2500k + Z68 sale)
RAM: Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 U-DIMM Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101
39.99
SSD: Intel 520 Series Cherryville (been burned in the past with SSD's, wanted the most reliable)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167093
159.99
Case: H2 Classic Silent Mid Tower ATX Gaming Computer Case
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361306
94.99
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
79.99
HDD: Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 2TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681
109.99 x 2
Sub Total
859.91
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Additional Notes
Router
I live in a pretty small space so range isn't that much of an issue. WAN to LAN is probably big, plus Qos configurability. I've been torn between the Asus Black Diamond and the Asus Dark Knight. I've researched a bit on smallnetbuilder, but I wanted to see if you guys think the additional money is worth it or if these are even the best choices out there.
Asus Black Diamond
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Router-RT-N56U/dp/B0049YQVHE/ref=pd_cp_pc_0
125.99
Asus Dark Knight
http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY/ref=pd_cp_e_0
179.99
Thanks all!
I'm focused primarily on HTPC function. I grabbed a great deal on my data plan (200 mbps u/d) and I decided to punt my cable + internet. I'm putting the savings toward a new HTPC that will hopefully also be able to handle my backup needs, host some of my dev projects with occassional VM, and maybe some light gaming.
I just bought the following gear from Microcenter (i5 + Z68 sale) and Newegg and before my return window ends, I thought it best to run my build by the experts first. I bought the minimum I'd need to get up and running, but I still need to buy HDD(s) for backup.
I'm fairly new to the build process and I'm wondering what type of backup arrangement is the best balance of price + performance for the build I have so far. I've been thinking of trying out RAID 1 with two HDD's. I've done some cursory research (hardware and software based RAID) and I'm wondering if you guys wouldn't mind making a recommendation (if this is the right place).
I decided to get a 650W PSU to provide space to maybe add a video card. Outside of the budget I listed above, what video card might you guys recommend that would enhance HTPC (is it even needed for HTPC?) and support light gaming for under $200?
-----
-----
Approximate Purchase Date: complete the build this week.
Budget Range: $600-$900 after rebates (not including video card and router)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC (streaming video, occassional video encoding), NAS, light dev work (web host and VMware, light gaming (Civ, maybe more in the future).
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS. Running Windows 7 Ultimate.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg (ShopRunner), Amazon (Prime), no preference for the right gear.
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: no preference.
Overclocking: maybe?
SLI or Crossfire: maybe?
Monitor Resolution: 1920x 1200
Additional Comments: ideally very quiet and low power consumption
-----
-----
So here's what I've bought so far:
CPU: Core i5 2500K LGA 1155
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589
169.99
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
34.99
Motherboard: P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775
59.99 = 109.99 - 50.00 (Microcenter i5 2500k + Z68 sale)
RAM: Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 U-DIMM Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101
39.99
SSD: Intel 520 Series Cherryville (been burned in the past with SSD's, wanted the most reliable)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167093
159.99
Case: H2 Classic Silent Mid Tower ATX Gaming Computer Case
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361306
94.99
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
79.99
HDD: Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 2TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681
109.99 x 2
Sub Total
859.91
-----
-----
Additional Notes
Router
I live in a pretty small space so range isn't that much of an issue. WAN to LAN is probably big, plus Qos configurability. I've been torn between the Asus Black Diamond and the Asus Dark Knight. I've researched a bit on smallnetbuilder, but I wanted to see if you guys think the additional money is worth it or if these are even the best choices out there.
Asus Black Diamond
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Router-RT-N56U/dp/B0049YQVHE/ref=pd_cp_pc_0
125.99
Asus Dark Knight
http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY/ref=pd_cp_e_0
179.99
Thanks all!