Input on HTPC build

[adairusmc]

I just ordered the main parts for an HTPC I have been planning for a while, and was just wondering if there is anything I am missing or would make my use with this thing better.

I will mostly use this for playing blu-rays on my secondary TV (my main one has PS3), as well at netflix streaming, music, old games via emulators, and viewing videos I already have downloaded.

So far this is what I have ordered -

Asus P7H55D-M EVO motherboard 1156/USB3/H55/HDMI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131625

Core i3 530 CPU

4Gb G.Skill ripjaws kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231274

Logitech DiNovo Mini keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

X25-v 40gig SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820167025

WD AV-GP 1TB hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136496

hec media center case w/power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121100



I will be getting the Blu-Ray drive and windows 7 OEM copy from where I work. I don't think I will need a Tv tuner, and not sure if it will work with my HD non-DVR DirecTv receiver anyway. The system will be hooked to a 50" LCD

I would hope that the 300w power supply would be enough to run that system with just the onboard graphics built onto the i3.

Does it appear there is anything I am missing? I already have a wireless PC adapter for xbox controllers, which will be used for the emulators I want to run on it. With the DiNovo keyboard, would it still be a good idea to get a media center remote and an RF controller for it?

Any reason that sleep wont wont work reliably with these parts?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Blain]

While I don't mind using HEC power supplies, the 300W that comes with your case may be a little low-rent for your application.
I'd opt for a case that uses a standard ATX PS like the nMEDIAPC HTPC 5000B.
I think it would serve you better in the long run.

 

[mfenn]

I personally wouldn't use a HEC PSU in anything other than a "toy" system. I should post pics of one of mine where they didn't even bother to make the cables leading to each Molex the same length. 😀 Literally, one of the black (IIRC) wires is a couple of inches shorter than the others!

 

[Sp12]

I'd feel a tad shaky with a 300w unit.

You might also want to look into some quiet aftermarket cooling.

 

[adairusmc]

Well, I went with that case because it was low profile, but since it uses a TFX power supply supposedly I could get a replacement and install it instead right?

I was trying to keep the size to a bare minimum, but I was looking at other larger antec and Lian-Li cases but I didn't think the measurements would fit where I wanted to put this thing.

If I got a different, higher quality power supply like this FSP unit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104072

Wold that be a be enough to power this system? From what I have been reading 300w (on a decent power supply at least) should be enough to power just the i3 with no extra GPU, the two drives and the SATA blu-ray drive. but I dunnno. I was designing this to be as small, low power, and as cool temperature wise as I could.

Thank you for the input though. Those parts are already ordered, but I can always get the extra power supply if that FSP or the Seasonic TFX power supply will work in this case.

 

[adairusmc]

This is the other seasonic TFX power supply I could order as well - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151090

Since it has more SATA connectors I would probably go with that one over the FSP.

 

[adairusmc]

Also, the stock intel cooler should be quiet enough and low profile enough to work and fit in there right? I wouldn't think it would be too loud, especially if I am not overclocking and am going to try to keep the voltage and and heat as low as it will go and remain stable.

 

[mfenn]

300W worth of quality power should be PLENTY for a i3 530 with no GPU.

The Intel stock HSF is pretty low profile, but I find it to be rather loud when the CPU is at load.

 

[adairusmc]

300W worth of quality power should be PLENTY for a i3 530 with no GPU.

The Intel stock HSF is pretty low profile, but I find it to be rather loud when the CPU is at load.

That is what I was thinking.

After reading a review on the Seasonic TFX power supply, I ordered it. Seems to be the best power supply in that form factor out there, with good efficiency, low ripple, and all of that.

I will try the stock cpu cooler at first, but that is easy enough to replace with something else later on. I don't like running cheap power supplies though, and I am glad the hec power supply issues were brought up. Looks like the Seasonic will cure that problem though (and has 3 more SATA connectors).

 

[nerp]

You could get by with a 250w PSU.

Get a quality unit, for sure. But don't listen to people who mistakenly think you need 500w for a basic machine, and that is what you're building -- a basic machine.

 

[Sp12]

You could get by with a 250w PSU.

Get a quality unit, for sure. But don't listen to people who mistakenly think you need 500w for a basic machine, and that is what you're building -- a basic machine.

400 watts is about fine for a modern mainstream discrete card+quad.

Eh I'm not 100% sure I'd feel safe with 250 watts with everything running. Accessing hard drive while streaming over the network while blasting music while the integrated GPU runs at max, while you run a compute-heavy task, you could see peaks closer to 300 than 250 from this type of machine. Not to forget any optical drives/fans.

I mean, you're looking at probably 100+ watts for the CPU alone (TDP != power draw, power draw-efficiency*powerdraw=TDP).

 

[mfenn]

I mean, you're looking at probably 100+ watts for the CPU alone (TDP != power draw, power draw-efficiency*powerdraw=TDP).

This is incorrect. A PSU's efficiency refers to the ratio of DC power output over AC Power input. A PSU's rating is how many DC watts in can put out. TDP is the maximum amount of DC power that a device can draw

For example, a 400W PSU that has 80% efficiency at 50% load would be providing 200W DC while drawing 250W from the wall.

What is ?efficiency??

Efficiency is the ratio between the useful output of an energy conversion device and the input. TDP is the amount of DC power drawn by a device.

For example, if your computer uses 300W, but pulls 400W from the wall, then the efficiency is 300W/400W, or 75%.

Computer power supplies are typically 75% efficient, especially those units included with computer chassis or units made more than a couple of years ago before power supply efficiency was made such a priority. The BFG GS, LS, MX and ES power supplies are typically 80% efficient or better.

 

[Sp12]

This is incorrect. A PSU's efficiency refers to the ratio of DC power output over AC Power input. A PSU's rating is how many DC watts in can put out. TDP is the maximum amount of DC power that a device can draw

For example, a 400W PSU that has 80% efficiency at 50% load would be providing 200W DC while drawing 250W from the wall.

I was talking about the CPU, where TDP=thermal design power, or the amount of heat given off by a CPU. TDP is related to the CPU's power draw via efficiency, which is not published. In the above PSU example the 20% lost is given off as heat.

A 2 watt draw CPU with 75% efficiency theoretically would give off .5 watts as waste heat. 2-(.75*2)=.5

From wikipedia: TDP represents the maximum amount of power the cooling system in a computer is required to dissipate.

Which is the heat it would need to dissipate as waste heat from the CPU, not the total input wattage (assuming the CPU isn't turning input energy into heat with 100% efficiency).

The i3-530 is a 73 watt TDP CPU.

 

[mfenn]

I was talking about the CPU, where TDP=thermal design power, or the amount of heat given off by a CPU. TDP is related to the CPU's power draw via efficiency, which is not published. In the above PSU example the 20% lost is given off as heat.

A 2 watt draw CPU with 75% efficiency theoretically would give off .5 watts as waste heat. 2-(.75*2)=.5

From wikipedia: TDP represents the maximum amount of power the cooling system in a computer is required to dissipate.

Which is the heat it would need to dissipate as waste heat from the CPU, not the total input wattage (assuming the CPU isn't turning input energy into heat with 100% efficiency).

The i3-530 is a 73 watt TDP CPU.

The CPU is turning input power into waste heat with very close to 100% efficiency. The only power that leaves the CPU that is not waste heat is the minuscule amount of electricity used for bus (pl.) signaling.

 

[Lonyo]

I was talking about the CPU, where TDP=thermal design power, or the amount of heat given off by a CPU. TDP is related to the CPU's power draw via efficiency, which is not published. In the above PSU example the 20% lost is given off as heat.

A 2 watt draw CPU with 75% efficiency theoretically would give off .5 watts as waste heat. 2-(.75*2)=.5

From wikipedia: TDP represents the maximum amount of power the cooling system in a computer is required to dissipate.

Which is the heat it would need to dissipate as waste heat from the CPU, not the total input wattage (assuming the CPU isn't turning input energy into heat with 100% efficiency).

The i3-530 is a 73 watt TDP CPU.

A CPU basically does turn electricity into waste heat with 100% efficiency. TDP is pretty much the same as peak power draw. Typical power draw (and TDP) is usually lower.

Also people waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overestimate their power requirements. So much that it's not even funny.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2901/15
110w using 100% CPU.
If you add in some GPU load, it's not even going to break 150w. Even accessing all two drives.
Maybe a low quality 300w is a bad idea, mainly for being low quality. Even a 250w high quality PSU would be more than plenty, and you could even probably drop to 200w.

Anyone suggesting 300 or 400w for a low-load HTPC with no discrete GPU is having a laugh.

 

[Sp12]

The CPU is turning input power into waste heat with very close to 100% efficiency. The only power that leaves the CPU that is not waste heat is the minuscule amount of electricity used for bus (pl.) signaling.

Well then I stand correct, I was always under the impression CPUs were typically 90-95% percent efficient.

But then why do CPUs produce even more heat when clockspeed rises, even if input voltage is the same? I always assumed it was worse efficiency at higher clockspeeds, which is part of the reason CPUs are binned (i3-530 overclocked to i3-540 speed uses more power than an i3-540, despite the fact they're both 73 TDP chips at stock).

 

[mfenn]

Well then I stand correct, I was always under the impression CPUs were typically 90-95% percent efficient.

But then why do CPUs produce even more heat when clockspeed rises, even if input voltage is the same? I always assumed it was worse efficiency at higher clockspeeds, which is part of the reason CPUs are binned (i3-530 overclocked to i3-540 speed uses more power than an i3-540, despite the fact they're both 73 TDP chips at stock).

I don't know the answer to that TBH. We need to get Idontcare in here.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

What about a Media Center remote?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-003-_-Product

I agree with the others about getting a quality power supply. You only need something around 250-300 watts because your system will probably only draw 40 - 80 watts for most HTPC tasks. I have a 400 watt power supply in mine but that's only because I couldn't find a quality modular one with less than 400 watts.

 

[adairusmc]

What about a Media Center remote?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-003-_-Product

I agree with the others about getting a quality power supply. You only need something around 250-300 watts because your system will probably only draw 40 - 80 watts for most HTPC tasks. I have a 400 watt power supply in mine but that's only because I couldn't find a quality modular one with less than 400 watts.

I dont really need a remote, I have all the stuff to hook up the Harmony One I already have - besides I will be using the diNovo mini for the vast majority of usage on this thing.

The Seasonic powersupply should arrive with the rest of the stuff, so the good power supply is already covered.

 

[Spikesoldier]

is the hec 80 plus? id ditch it if it isnt. the antec 80plus unit that i run i think just cuts it for its power requirements.

your build looks a lot like mine:

i3 530
MSI P55M-GD41
4gb gskill 10666 eco 7-7-7-21 1.35v
radeon hd4550 1gb gddr3
hauppage 1250 pcie tv tuner
d-link wireless g pci card
bdrom drive
30gb ocz agility
logitech dinovo edge keyboard/tp
Antec Black M FusionRemote 350
350w 80plus antec psu

if you havent seen it in the stores, the dinovo mini that you ordered is very very small.

 

[aigomorla]

ur not gonna have anything left over on a 40gig X25-V after you install windows 7.

I should know.. i had to raid it get acceptable storage capacity.
And then then i need to add a third to get an "decient" capacity.

40gig is just uber small, and i learned it first hand.

Also the HTPC doesnt need a fast OS drive.
100% of the movies you load on it, is not a constant stream.. its a burst stream.
Meaning it will transmit.. then stop... then burst transmit again.. unless ur constantly seeking though out the movie.

And 40gig is absolute crap for storage as i said, you wont be able to fit any games on your OS drive, after you installed everything you need, from raw OS to drivers, to background programs.

To be honest, id probably skip the SSD, and save up money and try to get a NAS.
That way u can have more then 1 computer stream movies, and you dont always need to be on your htpc, or have your htpc on to stream.

 

[adairusmc]

ur not gonna have anything left over on a 40gig X25-V after you install windows 7.

I should know.. i had to raid it get acceptable storage capacity.
And then then i need to add a third to get an "decient" capacity.

40gig is just uber small, and i learned it first hand.

Also the HTPC doesnt need a fast OS drive.
100% of the movies you load on it, is not a constant stream.. its a burst stream.
Meaning it will transmit.. then stop... then burst transmit again.. unless ur constantly seeking though out the movie.

And 40gig is absolute crap for storage as i said, you wont be able to fit any games on your OS drive, after you installed everything you need, from raw OS to drivers, to background programs.

To be honest, id probably skip the SSD, and save up money and try to get a NAS.
That way u can have more then 1 computer stream movies, and you dont always need to be on your htpc, or have your htpc on to stream.

I am running the same X25-V on my main desktop with windows 7 pro, photoshop cs5, office, and a few other things installed with plenty of space. I wont be running any games on the SSD drive anyways, if I put any they will be put on the WD green drive. I do already have the SSD purchased and sitting at home awaiting the rest of the parts, so it will be getting installed.

I do already have a NAS as well, which is why I "only" opted for a 1tb drive in this instead of a bigger one. I have in the past streamed stuff from it from my laptop, but I am tired of having to hook my laptop up to the TV and am making something that sits there just for that purpose.

Thanks though.

 

[adairusmc]

is the hec 80 plus? id ditch it if it isnt. the antec 80plus unit that i run i think just cuts it for its power requirements.

your build looks a lot like mine:

i3 530
MSI P55M-GD41
4gb gskill 10666 eco 7-7-7-21 1.35v
radeon hd4550 1gb gddr3
hauppage 1250 pcie tv tuner
d-link wireless g pci card
bdrom drive
30gb ocz agility
logitech dinovo edge keyboard/tp
Antec Black M FusionRemote 350
350w 80plus antec psu

if you havent seen it in the stores, the dinovo mini that you ordered is very very small.

The hec power supply is not 80 plus, but the seasonic power supply I have coming that is going to get installed in place of the included hec definitely is (and has 3 more SATA connectors, and semes to be highly reviewed for a PSU for that form factor).

Looks like a sweet system.

I was torn on the diNovo edge and the mini, but I went with the mini to keep things small. I have a small regular sized wireless keyboard and mouse combo I can plug into it if I need something more substantial for something I cant do with the mini.

 

[Spikesoldier]

you will love the i3 platform it makes a great HTPC. i leave mine on 24/7. you may notice that the system has no spinning disk, thats because all my media is stored on the network.

if you have seen the i3 mobile CPU, in most of the notebooks i have seen the fan will not even bother to spin up on idle thanks to EIST throttling the CPU down and how little power clarkdale/arrandale sips to begin with.

i know i am strapped on ssd space with the 30gb agility, but you can fit a win7 32 install (~10gb) or 64 bit install (~16.5gb) on there and still have room for basic applications. im not asking my HTPC to game at all, so probably the most demanding use is just media streaming/playback and internet use

 

[adairusmc]

you will love the i3 platform it makes a great HTPC. i leave mine on 24/7. you may notice that the system has no spinning disk, thats because all my media is stored on the network.

if you have seen the i3 mobile CPU, in most of the notebooks i have seen the fan will not even bother to spin up on idle thanks to EIST throttling the CPU down and how little power clarkdale/arrandale sips to begin with.

i know i am strapped on ssd space with the 30gb agility, but you can fit a win7 32 install (~10gb) or 64 bit install (~16.5gb) on there and still have room for basic applications. im not asking my HTPC to game at all, so probably the most demanding use is just media streaming/playback and internet use

Same here, the only gaming I would want mine to do is possibly emulators, and those would be stored on the 1tb disk and not the SSD (which is why it is in there).

Good to hear about your success with your i3, I almost opted for a cheaper athlonII X2 system, but I figured that the lower power, heat, and integrated video of the i3 was worth the slight increase in cost.