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HTPC adventurer - suggestions please

railven

railven

Diamond Member
Well, I entertained the thought of building an A10 system far enough to put things into a shopping card and look at reviews, but Arkaign pointed out I can probably do better.

I have spare parts I can use, which are:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 (unlockable 4th core, but randomly BSODs, so staying locked)
MoBO: Gigabyte Something 865 UD3-P something or other, ATX [Willing to replace if I can find a smaller affordable alternative - actually since form factor is an issue depending on case might have to replace]
GPU: Stock EVGA GTX 460 SC with ref cooler
RAM: 2x2GB Patriot 5 DDR3 1600 CL 9
PSU: Something Antec Earth Watts, 500W I believe [enough, normal form factor]
HDD: If I can salvage it 1TB HDD, otherwise whatever is cheapest.

Hard Budget: $300
Preferred Budget: $200

What my goal is: quiet HTPC primarly for Youtubes/Netflix/light PC gaming (most console ports or Minecraft/WoW[pet battles 🙄]).

Main concerns: Noise. I was using my PS3 for most of these functions but that thing is getting so loud (and frankly it's slow as crap). I actually have my main PC rigged to the TV that will be used, but when I am playing something she can't do the things listed so she "okayed" this project 😀

I'm trying to find a decent small HTPC style case and solid good aftermarket cooler for the GTX 460 that focus on sound. The quieter I can get this thing - the better.

I saw the recent Thermaltake review on AT, but that thing looks HUGE haha.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
 
A little more expensive than the TJ08-E but the Silverstone GD7 takes standard (ATX) components and would look a bit better for the HTPC use. I think dma0991's heatsink suggestions are good. Good luck with the build!
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll possibly be using both those HSF (if the case covers clearance I might just donate my Evo 212+ to this project and score a nicer HSF for my main rig.)

Been looking at cases and man, why are they so huge? Dimension wise, they are literally mid/full towers on their sides. I was hoping to find something like the old school MSI case, but then I remembered that was a custom design and had horrible cooling (looked perfect for an HTPC.)

Have you guys ever heard of the nMediaPC series? Specifically this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811204037
 
railven said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll possibly be using both those HSF (if the case covers clearance I might just donate my Evo 212+ to this project and score a nicer HSF for my main rig.)

Been looking at cases and man, why are they so huge? Dimension wise, they are literally mid/full towers on their sides. I was hoping to find something like the old school MSI case, but then I remembered that was a custom design and had horrible cooling (looked perfect for an HTPC.)

Have you guys ever heard of the nMediaPC series? Specifically this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811204037
Click to expand...

No, I haven't heard of the brand, but google is your friend: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=380&Itemid=61

That is a review.
 
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