Which build is better for a gaming htpc

[peep1988]

hi forums first off 1080p tv also dont need ram harddrive or optical drive anyway im trying to put together the best 400 dollar gaming htpc that can play games like borderlands 2 bf3 far cry 3 at medium quailty guys the case needs to be smallish so no towers any help would be much appreciated

build one http://pcpartpicker.com/b/z6s
i like this build since the case supports atx and micro atx so i get a lot of choices for mobos but i know the psu isnt going to be great but is it really that bad its only going to be used lighlty

build two http://pcpartpicker.com/b/z6t
its a little cheaper running two amd 6670 in hybrid xfire or whatever its called is this better performance than getting one amd 7770 or is it not worth the hassle

build three http://pcpartpicker.com/b/z6u
love the coolermaster case but only supporting mini itx is a bummer not many options is foxcomm a bad mobo company

so great toms hardware forum peoples which build is better or come up with a better build any and all help will be taken

 

[legendkiller]

Build #1 is the best choice... also get a 300W PSU, CPU+GPU is like 160watts max total system would be about 250w or so..

Build #2 uses too much watts on CPU and an previous Gen GPU

Build #3 uses an old H61 MotherBoard. New Gen is always better in the Tech world!

 

[peep1988]

Build #1 is the best choice... also get a 300W PSU, CPU+GPU is like 160watts max total system would be about 250w or so..

Build #2 uses too much watts on CPU and an previous Gen GPU

Build #3 uses an old H61 MotherBoard. New Gen is always better in the Tech world!

in the first and second build the case has a 500 watt psu is it good enough so i dont have to replace it dont want to spend more money if not needed and is the amd 7770 the best 100 dollar gpu to get or is there anything im missing that would be better the amd 7850 looks to be out of my price range

 

[legendkiller]

HTPC shouldn't require anything higher than 300w because they are quit and good for low gaming and also for video ect.... Radeon HD 7770 is actually the best one at $100, get it if you can!... btw i didn't realize the first one have a PSU already lol... also make sure the PSU in the case isn't cheap because most of them are pretty cheap unless you bought the case "high end" or high price like $120 or so because it comes with like 80+ bronze...

 

[peep1988]

HTPC shouldn't require anything higher than 300w because they are quit and good for low gaming and also for video ect.... Radeon HD 7770 is actually the best one at $100, get it if you can!... btw i didn't realize the first one have a PSU already lol... also make sure the PSU in the case isn't cheap because most of them are pretty cheap unless you bought the case "high end" or high price like $120 or so because it comes with like 80+ bronze...

The PSU is from cwhat I heard is low end I could replace it for a corsair 430 builder need extra cause might upgrade gpu later is there any micro atx htpc case that fits full size glue you recommend

 

[eshepard]

For BF3 and FC3 you are gonna want as much GPU as you can get. Go with the highest GPU you are considering, and then add some, I am thinking 7850 or 7870. I read your commens about price, but for gaming you will want it.

 

[legendkiller]

For BF3 and FC3 you are gonna want as much GPU as you can get. Go with the highest GPU you are considering, and then add some, I am thinking 7850 or 7870. I read your commens about price, but for gaming you will want it.

It's true that he's ganna play games but it's also a HTPC so it shouldn't be using those powerful cards. from my perspective, I think he should just get a 7770 for now and 2 years from now he should upgrade to next Gen GPUs...

 

[eshepard]

It's true that he's ganna play games but it's also a HTPC so it shouldn't be using those powerful cards. from my perspective, I think he should just get a 7770 for now and 2 years from now he should upgrade to next Gen GPUs...

I get what your saying. It looks like he has a choice to make. You want an HTPC to sip power, and be nice and quite, something 78xx cards don't do. However, Far Cry and Battlefield are known to be quite taxing on graphics cards.