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Need few more components for HTPC/Mid-level Gaming system

L

lirsch

Member
Need your help guys in buying few more components for my new HTPC ...

Already bought: (won't be changed)

CPU
Intel Core i5-2400S 2.50GHz - 65W (yes ... I know ...)

CPU Cooler
Scythe Big Shuriken Low Profile CPU Cooler SCBSK-1000

SSD
OCZ VERTEX 30GB

HDD
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA x 2

Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 CL8

Need to buy:

- Motherboard
yes ... you've guessed right, going to buy a H67 with the Intel flaw but I'll get a replacement here in my country when the new MOBs will arrive - might be mATX or ATX (is there any benefit for ATX Vs. mATX?)

- PSU
I'll probably buy Enermax Modu87+ 600W

- GPU
I thought about also adding a passive ATI HD5670 to this system.

- Case
this is my worst nightmare here ... I'm searching for the most quiet, sleek and clean design case that will fit my needs for a HTPC/mid-level gaming system. there are limited models of good cases here in my country, so the components above should all fit in the following available
cases:
Antec NSK2400
Thermaltake DH101 (VF7000BNS)
Thermaltake DH101 (VF7001BNS)
Thermaltake DH202 (VJ80001N2Z)
Thermaltake DH103 (VH3001BNS)
Antec Fusion remote max
Silverstone LC17B
Lian Li PC-C31
Silverstone LC16MR or LC16BM or LC16BMR
Zalman HD160
Alutek ALU750B
Alutek ALU7510BS
Zalman HD503
Zalman HD501
Origen X11-B

Please help me ... 😳

Well, for now I'm playing America's Army, Fifa 2011, so my demends on the playing part is not that huge ...
I currently have a 42" Full HD LCD (and a connection to Onkyo 608 reciever) but I can do some compromises because 80% of this system use is for watching movies, using the net, music, photo editing etc... gaming might be ~5-10% of the use.
 
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Some comments:
- It sounds like any of the ASUS or Gigabyte H67 uATX boards will be fine for you. Just pick the one that you can get a good deal on.
- 600W is ridiculous overkill for that system. A good quality (Antec, Seasonic) 350W is more than enough.
- Good for silence
- Pick something that you like the looks of and is a nice price. Lian-Li and Silverstone are going to be very high quality, whereas Thermaltake is going to be chintzy and cheap.
 
mfenn said:
Some comments:
- It sounds like any of the ASUS or Gigabyte H67 uATX boards will be fine for you. Just pick the one that you can get a good deal on.
- 600W is ridiculous overkill for that system. A good quality (Antec, Seasonic) 350W is more than enough.
- Good for silence
- Pick something that you like the looks of and is a nice price. Lian-Li and Silverstone are going to be very high quality, whereas Thermaltake is going to be chintzy and cheap.
Click to expand...

mfenn, thank you for your reply.
Few questions regarding your answer:
1. Does uATX and ATX have any tradeoff?
2. Regarding the PSU, are you sure? I've checked the min. power limitations with a PSU calculator and got ~528W, I'm choosing 600W to have more extra for future upgrades, sounds logical?
3. My problem is to choose a case that will fit all of these components, do you think each one of the cases is ok? do you have any experience with one of them?

Thanks.
 
lirsch said:
1. Does uATX and ATX have any tradeoff?
Click to expand...
Well, mATX, or μATX, is a smaller board, so you'll find fewer expansion bay slots and memory slots. Not sure if there's anything else.
2. Regarding the PSU, are you sure? I've checked the min. power limitations with a PSU calculator and got ~528W, I'm choosing 600W to have more extra for future upgrades, sounds logical?
Click to expand...
i5-2400s and 5670. Both of these have low power requirements. Heck, a i5-2500K and GTX 580 could run off a good 500W PSU.

Upgrading does not necessarily mean you'll need more power either. Generally, thermal design power (TDP) has not changed much over the years.

A lot of Pentium 4s back in the day had a TDP of around ~100W.
The more recent Core 2 Quads have TDPs around 95W and 105W.
Quad core Core i5s have TDPs at 95W again.
The top of the line cpus can peak at 130-150W, but most mainstream cpus sit around 100W.

The 4670 has a TDP of 59W.
The 5670 has a TDP of 64W.
Though the top of the line graphics cards like the 4870x2 and 5970 have max TDP pretty close to 300W.

Basically, you don't need more power until you want to move up from a mid-range graphics card to a high-end graphics card, but even then 500W is plenty of power.

Where I found TDP numbers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_AMD_graphics_processing_units
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_4_microprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_i5_microprocessors
 
fffblackmage said:
Well, mATX, or μATX, is a smaller board, so you'll find fewer expansion bay slots and memory slots. Not sure if there's anything else.

i5-2400s and 5670. Both of these have low power requirements. Heck, a i5-2500K and GTX 580 could run off a good 500W PSU.

Upgrading does not necessarily mean you'll need more power either. Generally, thermal design power (TDP) has not changed much over the years.

A lot of Pentium 4s back in the day had a TDP of around ~100W.
The more recent Core 2 Quads have TDPs around 95W and 105W.
Quad core Core i5s have TDPs at 95W again.
The top of the line cpus can peak at 130-150W, but most mainstream cpus sit around 100W.

The 4670 has a TDP of 59W.
The 5670 has a TDP of 64W.
Though the top of the line graphics cards like the 4870x2 and 5970 have max TDP pretty close to 300W.

Basically, you don't need more power until you want to move up from a mid-range graphics card to a high-end graphics card, but even then 500W is plenty of power.

Where I found TDP numbers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_AMD_graphics_processing_units
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_4_microprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_i5_microprocessors
Click to expand...

Wow fffblackmage, thank you very much for the detailed information ...
Do you have any recommendations regarding a case? I'm having a nightmare withthis issue.
 
lirsch said:
Wow fffblackmage, thank you very much for the detailed information ...
Do you have any recommendations regarding a case? I'm having a nightmare withthis issue.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I have no experience with any HTPC cases. I agree with mfenn though. You can be sure you'll have a really nice case with Lian-li or Silverstone.
 
fffblackmage said:
Well, mATX, or μATX, is a smaller board, so you'll find fewer expansion bay slots and memory slots. Not sure if there's anything else.

i5-2400s and 5670. Both of these have low power requirements. Heck, a i5-2500K and GTX 580 could run off a good 500W PSU.

Upgrading does not necessarily mean you'll need more power either. Generally, thermal design power (TDP) has not changed much over the years.

A lot of Pentium 4s back in the day had a TDP of around ~100W.
The more recent Core 2 Quads have TDPs around 95W and 105W.
Quad core Core i5s have TDPs at 95W again.
The top of the line cpus can peak at 130-150W, but most mainstream cpus sit around 100W.

The 4670 has a TDP of 59W.
The 5670 has a TDP of 64W.
Though the top of the line graphics cards like the 4870x2 and 5970 have max TDP pretty close to 300W.

Basically, you don't need more power until you want to move up from a mid-range graphics card to a high-end graphics card, but even then 500W is plenty of power.

Where I found TDP numbers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_AMD_graphics_processing_units
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_4_microprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_i5_microprocessors
Click to expand...

fffblackmage said:
Sadly, I have no experience with any HTPC cases. I agree with mfenn though. You can be sure you'll have a really nice case with Lian-li or Silverstone.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Making my job easy!

As an additional point, most "power calculators" that you'll find grossly overestimate the power that you need for two reasons (a) to sell you a more expensive unit and (b) as a CYA measure in case somebody buy's a terrible DiabloTek, etc. PSU.
 
lirsch said:
How would you place the Silverstone GD05 in your recommendations?
Click to expand...

a very good case, supports mATX, Mini-DTX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, should fit a regular sized ATX PSU, and has room for 11" GPU (Most of today's high-end GPU's will fit)
 
lirsch said:
Sorry to say, but it doesn't say anything practical to me, do you mean that the 6970 is much bigger and will fit inside?
Click to expand...

the 6970 is AMD's most powerful single card out at the moment (besides the $500 5970) it is one of the largest, so yea it will fit that little thing.
 
The case is more a matter of style and personal preference as long as it is also has good airflow and is quiet. The Silverstone GD05 is an excellent choice. It looks distinguised and rich looking without costing too much - and its aluminum - very durable. I have a Silverstone ATX tower case and am very pleased with it.

The choice of a graphics card is a little more difficult since you will be using the PC for two uses with possible conflicts. For HTPC you want something quiet and going with a passive cooler as you originally listed is a good choice. For gaming you want power - which at the top end means heat and fan noise. The real question is how much power do you need for YOUR gaming.

What games do you want to play, at what settings, and what screen resolution?

The HD 5670 you listed above is an excellent model for your combined uses for screen resolutions up to 1680x1050. If you go with a larger screen resolution game play may not be as good. You appear to have done your homework well. Upgradevideo cards lists that model at the top end for HTPC nongaming systems, althought noting that it provides the gaming performance noted above.

[removed]

On Newegg I found one passive HD 5670 card by Sapphire.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-902-_-Product

Further down on the upgradevideocards.com page you will see that the Sapphire HD 5670 is one of their recommended cards, although the list the version with a fan. For HTPC the fanless one may be even better. However for serious gaming the fanless version does have a negative with high termperatures, which might be why they recommended the "fanded" one. See this review which addresses the temperature issue - but still recommends the card - and provides gaming perfomrance stats.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_hd5670__hd5550/

However I am not sure if the fanless card will fit in the Silverstone case - or any low profile for that matter. The specs for the case say it will take a large video card up to 11" so I PRESUME that means a low profile card is not required. But when you look at the picture of the fanless Sapphire card note the heat sink sitting on the top edge of the card. That might be problematical for a low profile case - I just don't know.

If you want to do further research on your gaming requirements, you might want to look at the gaming page of the above site:

[removed]

If you are not familiar with evaluating FPS rates you might particularly note their explanation of what the raw scores mean.

On the PSU requirement, I don't know whose calculator you used but it is way off, as others have noted above. Your actual requirement will depend on how large a graphics card you settle on and how much headroom you want to allow. The HD 4670 specs recommend a 400w as the minimum power supply requirement.

You might want to look at the Criteria tab at upgradevideocards.com where they address power requirements and include a link to a popular free and independent power supply calculator.

[removed]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
rockyjohn said:
The case is more a matter of style and personal preference as long as it is also has good airflow and is quiet. The Silverstone GD05 is an excellent choice. It looks distinguised and rich looking without costing too much - and its aluminum - very durable. I have a Silverstone ATX tower case and am very pleased with it.

The choice of a graphics card is a little more difficult since you will be using the PC for two uses with possible conflicts. For HTPC you want something quiet and going with a passive cooler as you originally listed is a good choice. For gaming you want power - which at the top end means heat and fan noise. The real question is how much power do you need for YOUR gaming.

What games do you want to play, at what settings, and what screen resolution?

The HD 5670 you listed above is an excellent model for your combined uses for screen resolutions up to 1680x1050. If you go with a larger screen resolution game play may not be as good. You appear to have done your homework well. Upgradevideo cards lists that model at the top end for HTPC nongaming systems, althought noting that it provides the gaming performance noted above.

[removed]

On Newegg I found one passive HD 5670 card by Sapphire.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-902-_-Product

Further down on the upgradevideocards.com page you will see that the Sapphire HD 5670 is one of their recommended cards, although the list the version with a fan. For HTPC the fanless one may be even better. However for serious gaming the fanless version does have a negative with high termperatures, which might be why they recommended the "fanded" one. See this review which addresses the temperature issue - but still recommends the card - and provides gaming perfomrance stats.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_hd5670__hd5550/

However I am not sure if the fanless card will fit in the Silverstone case - or any low profile for that matter. The specs for the case say it will take a large video card up to 11" so I PRESUME that means a low profile card is not required. But when you look at the picture of the fanless Sapphire card note the heat sink sitting on the top edge of the card. That might be problematical for a low profile case - I just don't know.

If you want to do further research on your gaming requirements, you might want to look at the gaming page of the above site:

[removed]

If you are not familiar with evaluating FPS rates you might particularly note their explanation of what the raw scores mean.

On the PSU requirement, I don't know whose calculator you used but it is way off, as others have noted above. Your actual requirement will depend on how large a graphics card you settle on and how much headroom you want to allow. The HD 4670 specs recommend a 400w as the minimum power supply requirement.

You might want to look at the Criteria tab at upgradevideocards.com where they address power requirements and include a link to a popular free and independent power supply calculator.

[removed]
Click to expand...

Wow rockyjohn, Best answer for sure ... 😀
I've verified the compatibility of the Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate (passive) with a local store - It should be compatible with the GD05.
So here is the final list -

CPU Intel Core i5-2400S 2.50GHz (65W, 6MB Cache, DDR3-1333 memory limit)
CPU Cooler Scythe Big Shuriken Low Profile CPU Cooler SCBSK-1000
MOB P8H67-M EVO
GPU Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5670 Ultimate Passive
SSD OCZ VERTEX 30GB
HDD SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA x 2
PSU Enermax Modu87+ 500W
Case Silverstone Grandia GD05 (3x120mm fans)
Memory G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 DDR3 1333 CL8 (F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM)

Now, few more issues -
1. What DVD-RAM (no dlueray needed) will I buy for this case? (need a quiet one ... black ...)
2. What Keyboard/Mouse to buy? (Does the Logitech DiNovo Edge is the best choise ... pretty pricy ...)
3. How do I connect all the SATA components in order to workaround the INTEL SATA issue for the sandy bridge motherboards?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
lirsch said:
Wow rockyjohn, Best answer for sure ... 😀
I've verified the compatibility of the Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate (passive) with a local store - It should be compatible with the GD05.
So here is the final list -

CPU Intel Core i5-2400S 2.50GHz (65W, 6MB Cache, DDR3-1333 memory limit)
CPU Cooler Scythe Big Shuriken Low Profile CPU Cooler SCBSK-1000
MOB P8H67-M EVO
GPU Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5670 Ultimate Passive
SSD OCZ VERTEX 30GB
HDD SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA x 2
PSU Enermax Modu87+ 500W
Case Silverstone Grandia GD05 (3x120mm fans)
Memory G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 DDR3 1333 CL8 (F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM)

Now, few more issues -
1. What DVD-RAM (no dlueray needed) will I buy for this case? (need a quiet one ... black ...)
2. What Keyboard/Mouse to buy? (Does the Logitech DiNovo Edge is the best choise ... pretty pricy ...)
3. How do I connect all the SATA components in order to workaround the INTEL SATA issue for the sandy bridge motherboards?
Click to expand...

That PSU sucks get a good 400 watt, mouse and keyboard is pretty much personal preference, DVD/CD just get any asus, lg, samsung, lite-on $18-$20 drive.

The SATA problem will not present itself anytime soon, if you plan on switching out your board once the new ones come out then go ahead and use any SATA ports you would like, if you arent switching out the motherboard you need to buy a PCI SATA expansion.
 
mnewsham said:
That PSU sucks get a good 400 watt, mouse and keyboard is pretty much personal preference, DVD/CD just get any asus, lg, samsung, lite-on $18-$20 drive.

The SATA problem will not present itself anytime soon, if you plan on switching out your board once the new ones come out then go ahead and use any SATA ports you would like, if you arent switching out the motherboard you need to buy a PCI SATA expansion.
Click to expand...

This PSU sucks?? Man, I've read any available review about all the best quality PSUs, read this one ,this one or just look at this one, If you have any other competitor, let me know ... 😀
 
lirsch said:
This PSU sucks?? Man, I've read any available review about all the best quality PSUs, read this one ,this one or just look at this one, If you have any other competitor, let me know ... 😀
Click to expand...

For how much most places are asking for it, it sucks.

The only place i can find it online it is $133... yea...a 500watt PSU for $133 try seasonic that one is $53 and has enough power to run all of your components easily.

As a side note i used the PSU calculator on the Enermax website and they recommend a 283 watt PSU, and i was being generous with your system so your actual usage will probably be less.
 
Last edited:
Guys, thank you for your support of my pocket 😀
But, I'd like to get a very silent system, remmember?
You can see in SPCR that even though it's only 380W it not silent at all.
I prefer to add few bucks and have a peaceful, silent, steady system

















/
 
lirsch said:
Guys, thank you for your support of my pocket 😀
But, I'd like to get a very silent system, remmember?
You can see in SPCR that even though it's only 380W it not silent at all.
I prefer to add few bucks and have a peaceful, silent, steady system
Click to expand...

A quite office/library is 30 dBa and you are whining about 21-25dBa??? REALLY!?


I give up
 
mnewsham said:
A quite office/library is 30 dBa and you are whining about 21-25dBa??? REALLY!?


I give up
Click to expand...

Hey, don't give up man ... I used your inputs in my but and learned from it alot...
I'm just saying the noise is very subjective matter, and I'm having a very sensitive hearing.
The measurements of noise are also different from a test to another, the tests of SPCR are taken 1m @ case and a quite office/library? I don't know how it was measured.
 
lirsch said:
Guys, thank you for your support of my pocket 😀
But, I'd like to get a very silent system, remmember?
You can see in SPCR that even though it's only 380W it not silent at all.
I prefer to add few bucks and have a peaceful, silent, steady system
Click to expand...

First, the unit that I suggested is not present in that chart.

Second, understand that decibels are measured on a log base 10 scale. Thus, a 21dB PSU is approximately ten times quieter than a quiet office. Bottom line, you ain't gonna hear it.
 
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