First ITX Build - 2nd build ever - for HTPC

[SuperiorHF]

Hello all,

This is my first build in five years and that one was my first ever build.

Looking for HTPC system to:
Be small
Rip DVD/Blu-rays, encode, and transcode
SabNZBD, Sickbeard
Serve content via Plex Media Server
Display content via Plex Media Client
Medium gaming duties (for games not available on consoles)
Use NAS for movie, tv, and song storage

Here is what I came up with via Part Picker:

CPU: AMD A10-6700 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($148.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X-ITX Mini ITX FM2 Motherboard ($105.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series v2.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($141.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec ISK 310-150 Mini ITX Desktop Case w/150W Power Supply ($75.81 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG BH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $741.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-20 21:46 EDT-0400)

I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

 

[vertexx]

What are you going to use for media storage? Do you have a NAS.

 

[mastrom101]

150 W is low. I wouldn't go with less than 300.

 

[SuperiorHF]

I first plan to use an external drive. NAS will come later.

I am worried about the wattage. Not sure if I needed extra headroom.

 

[mastrom101]

Yes I would say 300-430 minimum.

 

[vertexx]

150W is fine for your build. Many, many HTPC builds use these 150w PSUs.

 

[vertexx]

I would say your memory is ever kill for the rest of the build. You can save $80 and go with 2x4GB DDR3 1600.

Also, make sure you read the reviews on that Antec. Seems like there have been some quality issues.

With the money you save on the memory, perhaps take a look at the Silverstone SG06 with 300W PSU. It's a bit bigger than the Antec, but it's still pretty small if you look at the measurements. It does give you some expansion options down the road.

 

[SuperiorHF]

Great, thanks vertexx

 

[vertexx]

Just noticed, your Blu Ray won't work in that case (or the SG06). Both require a slim 5.25 device.

 

[vertexx]

Here is an option based on the Intel I3-3220. There is a great write-up on the AMD Richland CPUs vs. the I3 here (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a10-6700-a10-6800k-richland-review,3528.html). In most cases, the I3 outperforms, except one point being Video encoding using a multi-threaded app like Handbrake. You may have already reviewed this and decided on the AMD part for this reason.

I run a gaming HTPC on an I3-3220, Silverstone SG08 and Geforce GTX-660. The family uses this as a Plex server (tying into a 4TB NAS), Plex Player, Living Room Gaming PC, etc. The I3 does great. It runs cool and quiet with the stock fan inside an enclosed cabinet.

One thing with the I3 is you'll want a video card, I included a fanless Saphire 6670 that will be perfect for any video needs as well as provide a moderate gaming capability. Again, with the SG06, you can upgrade that later.

The only drawback to this is it is not Haswell, but Haswell has been somewhat of a disappointment for desktops. It will be interesting to see what they do for a Haswell I3 later this year.

Here is the proposed build. It has the required Slim Blu Ray you'll need for either case, which brings the cost of your build up. You'll also need a slim SATA adapter, which I included in the below list.

Either way you choose to go - enjoy your build - Mini-ITX builds require some patience, but the result is well worth it!

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/18I09
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/18I09/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/18I09/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-SG06B-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/300W Power Supply ($143.72 @ Newegg)
Other: LG Super-Multi Slim Blu-ray Combo Drive CT21N (Amazon - $99.95)
Other: StarTech.com 20-Inch Slimline SATA to SATA with LP4 Power Cable Adapter (SLSATAF20) (Amazon - $7.29)
Total: $786.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-21 08:10 EDT-0400)

 

[mastrom101]

If you use a APU you want 1866 RAM or faster