Audiophile PC build with minor HTPC use

[indianguyinny24]

Hi all,

As always i come first here ...i have made 3 PC in last 2-3 years so i am well conversant in making the PC (which itself is no big deal even u r newbie bcz of support u get here)...

This new build is purely for audiophile PC digital Transport (to listen stereo music like flac/mp3 ) thats all.. I will have external DAC from this PC to my receiver which will send to ampolifier..

following link has influenced it can be done (The Art of building Computer Transports)

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/1/19242.html


Also sometime i expect to see some online videos for that i have an hdmi to TV and optical connection that will go to receiver(doesnt have HDMI) where it will be decoded and sent to amplifier...

That being said...to be on purely audiophile basis and keeping the cost around 500$ ....following things i have researched...


Hardware

1 Will use a 256 GB SSD as dont want any moving part....most music would be on SSD some on NAS but that can be copied to SSD...

2 (low noise, low heat, low power )

3 As fanless as possible ( thinking of AMD e-350)..can use intel too

4 minimize fan speed so might use a mini itx

5 Mobo has to have coaxial output..

6 this pc will be connected to NAS though most music will be played from SSD but some music resides on NAS...

7 As read Power is most imp looking for best power supply e.g. Enermax Noisetaker II 485 watts with fan speed set to minimum


8 I might stream some files(mkv,avi etc) from my NAS server to see it on TV but most imp this is to be audiophile...so an i3/i5 or AMD apu can be sufficient..


software :
XXHE will be used...


Can anyone recomend certain builds for this specific usage...any inputs would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Proximon]

Well, you can't spend $500 total if you are buying a $200+ SSD.

Intel has the lowest power consumption for total platform.

I don't think you need more than about 300W.

You will want to bookmark this site:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/

 

[indianguyinny24]

Forrgot to add ....i already have SSD....

 

[Proximon]

Well, that's easier then.

Are you needing a discrete soundcard or not? I think most DACs connect via USB, yes?

 

[indianguyinny24]

Well, that's easier then.

Are you needing a discrete soundcard or not? I think most DACs connect via USB, yes?

Yes ...but i want a real good audiophile system... but one i am using coaxial is there ...i am making my own DIY dac...

 

[Proximon]

Well, here's the core parts:

■SilverStone SST-PS07B Black Steel / Plastic with Aluminum Accent MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
■Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
■G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
■ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
■Intel Pentium G630T Sandy Bridge 2.3GHz LGA 1155 35W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80623G630T
■ARCTIC COOLING ACFZ11-LP 92mm Fluid Dynamic Freezer 11 LP Intel CPU Cooler for Power Users
TOTAL: $383.94

 

[indianguyinny24]

Well, here's the core parts:

■SilverStone SST-PS07B Black Steel / Plastic with Aluminum Accent MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
■Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
■G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
■ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
■Intel Pentium G630T Sandy Bridge 2.3GHz LGA 1155 35W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80623G630T
■ARCTIC COOLING ACFZ11-LP 92mm Fluid Dynamic Freezer 11 LP Intel CPU Cooler for Power Users
TOTAL: $383.94

Isnt the AMD E-350 will fit the bill too...

 

[rwpritchett]

Not sure exactly what parts you have or don't have for this build. But here's one to consider:

Antec ISK 110 $85
ASUS E45M1-I Deluxe $190
G.SKILL ECO 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 1.35V $55
Cables to Go 40019 Optical to Coaxial Digital Audio Converter $18

$348 so far and 100% fanless. Should pull about 30-40W.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

I just helped someone build an audiophile PC in this mini-ITX case:

http://www.ecosmartpc.com/ei7.html

With the SOtM tX-USB Audiophile PCI to USB Audio Card.

The case comes with a fanless 120W DC-DC/84W external AC adapter and has room for 4 x 80mm fans if needed.

He used an Atom D525MW so his was completely passive. You could use the E-350 or the D2700DC since you also want some HTPC usage and also go passive. With the E-350 you might need to add one 80mm fan since it runs a bit hotter.

If you don't need an optical drive or an expansion slot, there is a smaller version of this case: http://www.ecosmartpc.com/ei5.html.

 

[Proximon]

Isnt the AMD E-350 will fit the bill too...

It's just a matter of performance per watt. You get more performance out of the Intel setup.

 

[indianguyinny24]

Need a Micro atx case with fanless power supply...will get into either E-350/A8 or i3 with low speed fan...want a nice or best power supply ...

 

[Proximon]

Fanless ATX PSUs are pricey. I think you will either have to go for less total power, as in the E-450 option rwpritchet suggested, or have some fans.

Here's a small Pico PSU
http://www.e-itx.com/picopsu-160-xt.html

 

[indianguyinny24]

Best answer selected by indianguyinny24.