Comments and recommendations on HTPC/gaming PC/home server configuration

Halberg Mandsho

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2014
5
0
0
Dear Anandtech users,

AnandTech is my preferred source of reference and reviews, when I every 2-3 years sell my old HTPC/gaming PC/home server and built a new one. I basically have to start all over reading up every time as things change fast. AnandTech is the perfect source of information.

This time I want to be extra careful and thorough in the selection of components. I want to build a miniITX and fairly fast PC, so that I can play games at HD - but I don't want to spend $2000. I also want it to boot fast as we will use it everyday to everything from mail, surfing, office work, notes, music/pictures/films, games etc. We have a Planar 27'' touch screen monitor wall mounted in the kitchen and a projector in the living room.

The configuration (so far) is:

Chassis: Streacom F7C Evo
PSU: ?? 250-300w?
Motherboard: ASUS Z87I-Deluxe
CPU: Intel i5 4570S
Memory: Corsair XMS3 2x4GB DDR3 1600Mhz
GPU: ASUS R9270-DC2OC-2GD5
CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS2X
Chassis cooler: Zalman ZMF1 FDB
Boot/applications drive: Samsung SSD 840 EVO mSATA 128GB
File drive: WD Green 4TB (WD40EZRX)
Optical drive: Streacom ST-OB3
Sound card: Sound Blaster X-Fi HD (USB, external)
Backup drive: WD Elements 4TB (USB, external)

I don't believe in a fanless design for this kind of configuration and I don't like NAS for storage as they boot slow and are noisy.

As you can see I still need to select a PSU. What would be recommended? The Streacom PicoPSU seems to be too small.

What would your comments and recommendations be on this and alternative configurations?

Will I have problems with heat and noise levels?

Thanks.

Kind regards,
Anders Halberg Mandsholm
Denmark
 

cytoSiN

Platinum Member
Jul 11, 2002
2,262
7
81
That's a great looking case you've chosen. I always wanted to build in a Streacom, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

You're going to need more than 300w. I'd recommend at least 400, and preferably more if you can swing it.

Good choice on motherboard imo. Asus makes quality motherboards.

I'd also stay away from U and S processors (as others have said in this forum recently as well). If you're looking at the 4570, maybe look at the 4670 or an i3.

Nice RAM, GPU, coolers/fans, SSD, and HDDs.

Why do you need the sound card? That board has a pretty good onboard DAC in the ALC1150. And you're likely going to be bitstreaming audio from the video card's HDMI anyway. So you can probably save some money there unless you have a specific need for it. I'd put that money towards a beefier PSU.

Otherwise sounds like a cool build. Hopefully you'll post a build thread so we can all see what it's like to build with the Streacom. Good luck!
 

Halberg Mandsho

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2014
5
0
0
Hi,

Thanks for the comments.

I have since then corresponded with Streacom. The F7C Evo chassis cannot accommodate any other PSU than their own 150W Nano150 PSU. They will later this spring launch a Nano180 PSU. This unfortunately disqualifies Streacom for this particular build.

I have henceforth updated the configuration:

Chassis: Xigmatek Nebula
http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=219&type=support

PSU: Corsair RM550
http://www.corsair.com/en/power-sup...m550-80-plus-gold-certified-power-supply.html

Motherboard: ASUS Z87I-Deluxe
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z87IDELUXE/

CPU: Intel i5 4670K
http://ark.intel.com/products/75047/intel-core-i5-4670-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3_80-ghz

Memory: Corsair LP CL9 XMP 2x4GB DDR3 1600Mhz
http://www.corsair.com/memory-by-pr...channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cml8gx3m2a1600c9.html

GPU: ASUS R9270-DC2OC-2GD5
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/R9270DC2OC2GD5/

CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS8900
http://www.zalman.com/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=468

Boot/applications drive: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/about/SSD840EVO.html

Files drive: WD Green 4TB
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=780

Optical drive: Samsung SE-506AB
http://www.samsung.com/sg/consumer/...ical-disc-drive/slim-dvd-writer/SE-506AB/TSBD

Backup drive: WD My Book Essential 4TB
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=870

As I can now afford a higher TDP, I have upgraded the 4570S to a 4670K.

The Nebula chassis cannot accommodate an internal optical drive, which I don't use often anyway. An external optical drive further makes it possible to occasionally take it along with you and use it with a laptop, why I consider this a good solution.

I have dropped the external sound card. I just wanted to do some good for my Dynaudio XEO wireless speakers with a dedicated transmitter - I won't be outputting audio through HDMI. The motherboard has an optical output though and a fair audio chip - this should be more than sufficient for good sound quality.

Can you guys approve this configuration? :)

I will of course post a build thread with photos.

Kind regards,
Anders Halberg Mandsholm
Denmark
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
That case will not fit that video card. The Case is limited to GPUs with a max length of 200mm, which is 7.87". According to ASUS's website, the video card is 9.2" long.
 

Halberg Mandsho

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2014
5
0
0
I have actually almost always used Seasonic PSUs - and never had any problems. I just thought that the Corsair modular system looked well thought through and decided it was time for a change. I could not find any bad reviews until now. I will stick with Seasonic. Thanks.
 

Halberg Mandsho

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2014
5
0
0
You are absolutely right. Why didn't I check the GPU card length? I think I was too focused on max. CPU cooler height. Thanks. I will have to look for another GPU.
 

Halberg Mandsho

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2014
5
0
0
The configuration is now updated to the following:

Chassis: Xigmatek Nebula
http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?...9&type=support

PSU: Seasonic G-550 SSR-550RM
http://seasonic.com/product/pc_retail.jsp

Motherboard: ASUS Z87I-Deluxe
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z87IDELUXE/

CPU: Intel i5 4670K
http://ark.intel.com/products/75047/...up-to-3_80-ghz

Memory: Corsair LP CL9 XMP 2x4GB DDR3 1600Mhz
http://www.corsair.com/memory-by-pro...m2a1600c9.html

GPU: PowerColor R9 270 2GB GDDR5 OC
http://www.powercolor.com/global/products_features.asp?id=494#Specification

CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS8900
http://www.zalman.com/global/product...ad.php?Idx=468

Boot/applications drive: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB
http://www.samsung.com/global/busine...SSD840EVO.html

Files drive: WD Green 4TB
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=780

Optical drive: Samsung SE-506AB
http://www.samsung.com/sg/consumer/p.../SE-506AB/TSBD

Backup drive: WD My Book Essential 4TB
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=870
 
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