HTPC build in C64 case...45w or 65w?

[Deeyou]

Long story short...

I want to build a DAW inside of this case.

The main issue is heat obviously.. And I have narrowed down to two choices...

i5-2500T (45w) or i7-2600S (65w)

People say the embedded Atom boards run up to 80-85c full load inside these boxes with the stock fans.

So, I am wondering if my concerns for heat between these two CPU's are trivial or significant. I am guessing the power and efficiency of the i7 would never come close to drawing 65w and would run as hot/cool as the 45w anyway.

I can fit a Scythe Kozuti as the main cpu cooler and MAYBE squeeze 2 40mm fans in it.

I don't do any gaming. It will be a DAW first and an HTPC secondly.

Thoughts?

Just to give an idea of the size of the case and the inside space.

 

[wirednuts]

even if it was a gaming rig, i would go with the lower tdp i5. youre going to get PLENTY of cpu speed either way, so save the heat output wherever you can.

however, there is a good chance too that real world numbers might show those two chips draw about the same current at idle or normal speeds... and if thats the case then the i7 might work better. its something you would have to do some quick research on

 

[Deeyou]

even if it was a gaming rig, i would go with the lower tdp i5. youre going to get PLENTY of cpu speed either way, so save the heat output wherever you can.

however, there is a good chance too that real world numbers might show those two chips draw about the same current at idle or normal speeds... and if thats the case then the i7 might work better. its something you would have to do some quick research on

Hey, thanks for the quick response!

Yea I am trying to do some quick and dirty research, lol. Just coming up empty. I did come across one guy who put an i5-2500 standard in the case and said his temps were upward of 90c during load.

But he was also gaming on it.

Either way, I suppose leaving this build running 24/7 will be against my own merit.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Hey, thanks for the quick response!

Yea I am trying to do some quick and dirty research, lol. Just coming up empty. I did come across one guy who put an i5-2500 standard in the case and said his temps were upward of 90c during load.

But he was also gaming on it.

Either way, I suppose leaving this build running 24/7 will be against my own merit.

You should go with the i5 2500t. Best to keep it as cool as possible

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

 

[QueBert]

I have no help to offer here, but this is AWESOME SAUCE! I still <3 my C64 and I absolutely love this mod.

 

[Deeyou]

haha, yea, I saw the case and it was a wrap...

There will be no compromise lol... Just hope I can keep her cool..on air...relatively

 

[ElFenix]

i wouldn't get either. just get a regular 2400 and undervolt it. with typical HTPC loads you're not saving any power using a S or T part

very good article on the subject:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1202-page3.html

 

[Deeyou]

i wouldn't get either. just get a regular 2400 and undervolt it. with typical HTPC loads you're not saving any power using a S or T part

very good article on the subject:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1202-page3.html

it's main use would be as a DAW though.

Nothing too heavy but I still hit 30-35 tracks and about 20-25 instances of plugins at a time.

Edit: wouldn't undervolting affect the Turbo Boost?