New HTPC/Gaming Build

[Exentrick]

Hello All,

I'm looking to build a fairly quiet HTPC that will work for gaming and isn't entirely embarassing to have someone see (i.e., no flashy lights, cheap plastic or clear panels). I don't have a firm budget - but I dont need anything extraneous, like an SSD.

Here are the parts I already have that I'll be reusing:
ATI 5850
i7-2600k
WD Black 1TB HDD
Seasonic X-650
Windows7

The tv I'll be using has a 1920x1080 resolution.

Here are the parts I'm considering purchasing:

Silverstone MicroATX HTPC Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163179

ASUS P8P67-M Pro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131707

Lite-On Bluray Player:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106346

CPU Cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118030

So - here are my questions:
Are there better HTPC case options for less than $200, keeping in mind I'm looking for a minimalist aesthetic and good ventiliation? That said, I would prefer an ATX case if possible as I already have an ATX mobo, and I don't mind buying additional or better fans if its recommended.

Is this a decent bluray player I've selected? Will it have any issues player bluray dvds? Do I need any extra software to play movies on it, such as PowerDVD or Arcsoft? Any recommendations?

Am I missing anything? ANything I should keep in mind when building an HTPC?

Thanks,

X

 

[dma0991]

That case looks good to me. If you have an ATX sized motherboard try this case.

For the CPU cooler I would recommend a cooler from Scythe. It should fit but check for clearance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-097-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-129-_-Product

 

[Zap]

Are there better HTPC case options for less than $200, keeping in mind I'm looking for a minimalist aesthetic and good ventiliation?

I just did a build for myself using a Lian Li PC-C50B. I think it runs around $150 and is all aluminum. It has a stealth optical drive cover, and I think is a hair taller than the Silverstone, so possibility of a larger HSF plus has a vent over the CPU area. The Silverstone puts the optical drive right over the edge of the CPU area so you'll probably have to do a low profile heatsink. The Silverstone does have better venting behind the CPU with two 80mm fan spots versus one with the Lian Li. The Silverstone takes more 3.5" drives (4 versus 3) while the Lian LI takes more 2.5" drives (3 versus 2). Also, looks as if one of the Silverstone drive spots can be either 2.5" or 3.5", thus a total of five for the Silverstone versus six for the Lian Li.

In my PC-C50B, I have three 3.5" HDDs, one SSD, one optical drive, a GTX 460 graphics card and a Scythe Mini Ninja heatsink. It was a... challenge... to put it all together. ()

 

[mfenn]

Is this a decent bluray player I've selected? Will it have any issues player bluray dvds? Do I need any extra software to play movies on it, such as PowerDVD or Arcsoft? Any recommendations?

I have the previous generation drive and it works fine and is very quiet. You will need some Blu-ray player software though. I use ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre. Oh, and it will play normal DVDs as well.

 

[Slugbait]

I went with a Silverstone LC17. Like with Zap's recommendation, it has stealth optical drive covers (two bays), with the difference that the USB/audio/FireWire ports are also stealth. It has excellent ventilation, and supports full-sized ATX mobos, which gives you more mobo options if you upgrade later. I've had two Cooler Master HTPC cases that had a door to access the optical drives, I much prefer a design without something like that.

Did a quick look thru the reviews on the Lite-On, and was kinda shocked that almost nobody complained about noise (death knell for an HTPC).

I've got a different Zalman in the living room HTPC (9700), and it's kinda loud for an HTPC...ok, it's definitely louder than my Antec NEO 520C and aux exhaust fan combined. Same with my previous Zalman flower-style, it was also a little loud. The LC17 is just barely not large enough for a Tuniq Tower 120, so the Scythe coolers that dma suggested might be a better option.

 

[Exentrick]

Thanks for the feedback, all.


I'll go with ArcSoft software and go with the bluray player I selected.

I've decided I'm going to stick with an ATX case, so I don't have to buy a new motherboard. I like the LC17, but I'm concerned that it won't have adequate airflow with just 2 80mm fans to deal with a 5850 and 2600k. I've also realized that I'm limited to cases with a depth of no more than 17".


I'm leaning towards this Lian Li case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112229
But, if I could find something like this that covered the USB/Firewire etc and had stealth optical bays, that would be ideal.


Lastly, will the scythe shuriken cool well enough for the 2600k given that htpc cases don't usually have ideal thermals? I've done some digging around on Frostytech, but the only cooler that looks good and doesn't cost $100, the scythe zipang 2, doesn't seem to be available on any sites I know of.


Thanks again,


X

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the feedback, all.


I'll go with ArcSoft software and go with the bluray player I selected.

I've decided I'm going to stick with an ATX case, so I don't have to buy a new motherboard. I like the LC17, but I'm concerned that it won't have adequate airflow with just 2 80mm fans to deal with a 5850 and 2600k. I've also realized that I'm limited to cases with a depth of no more than 17".

I wouldn't worry about the thermals too much. The 5850 and Sandy Bridge CPU are both very cool running parts.

 

[Slugbait]

I like the LC17, but I'm concerned that it won't have adequate airflow with just 2 80mm fans to deal with a 5850 and 2600k.

The Lian Li has only one 80mm exhaust fan.

I've also realized that I'm limited to cases with a depth of no more than 17".

The depth of the LC17 is a smidgeon shorter than that Lian Li case...by just a few millimeters.

Lastly, will the scythe shuriken cool well enough for the 2600k given that htpc cases don't usually have ideal thermals?

The HSF will be butt-up against the side air intake of the LC17, with the rear exhaust fans pulling air thru and out. Can't do much better than that for airflow of an HTPC case (especially for the CPU), and can't do that at all with the Lian Li since there is a PSU north of the mobo instead.

One option to help with pulling air out of the LC17 is to get a PSU like my Mushkin XP-650AP: it has a pull-push fan design, so one fan is drawing internal air, the second fan is pushing air out. Plus, modular is always welcome in cramped cases. A PSU with a single 120 fan has to be oriented to pull external air in the LC17, not pull internal air.

 

[Exentrick]

Alright, well, I've been convinced to get the LC 17 and the shuriken. Unless I see any negative posts before this evening, I'll send out my order tonight.

Thanks everyone for the input.

X