Sandybridge Midrange HTPC+ build

[RandomFool]

I've been lurking the forums for the past few weeks looking to replace the Dell Zino I bought awhile back with a new "super" HTPC. The Zino was choking during video recording/encoding and it was a little choppy playing back 1080p content.

I was orginally hoping to buy before Christmas but after reading a bit decided I could and should wait for Sandybridge. I've spend the past few weeks researching and figured I'd post the final result on here.

Anyway, here's what I decided on:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
ASUS P8P67 PRO
ASUS EAH6870 Radeon HD 6870 1GB
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Corsair Force 120GB SSD (OS + Apps)
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM SATA (Apps + Data drive)
Western Digital 640GB SATA 7400RPM hard drive (temp storage for video encoding)
SAMSUNG Black Blu-ray Drive
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W
LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-C33B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Total: $1,545.22

All the parts are due in tomorrow but I won't be able to put it together until next weekend. I'm looking forward to it since I haven't put a new desktop for myself together in years. The last one was an Athlon XP 2000+ system for college, which at the time was beastly. :\

-loof

 

[mfenn]

Is this an HTPC or workstation? You picked some awfully expensive parts for the former.

 

[Patmage]

Has the definition of HTPC changed? I'm sure you will love that build, but if all you are doing is recording/encoding/playback of 1080p a i5 2500 on a H67 board using the SB hd 2000 for graphics and 4gigs of ram would have done nicely.

With the p67 you aren't going to be able to do the hardware accelerated transcoding.

 

[Spikesoldier]

if you are dead set into going sandy bridge with this build, i would recommend one of the SB duallies. i dont think that any of the common htpc tasks would require a quad just yet. im going to agree and say you have way too much horsepower for the htpc.

if you want something that sips the power since a htpc is likely to be on 24/7, ditch the graphics card. a ssd is a good idea.

i personally run mine with a i3 530, 4gb ram, hd4550 1gb gddr3 passively cooled, lite-on blu ray drive, and 30gb ocz agility. i put all content on the network, so thats the only disk in there.

i chose the dinovo edge keyboard from logitech because i liked the touchpad on the keyboard. what kb/mouse do you plan to use?

 

[mnewsham]

This looks like a decent gaming htpc. Overkill for normal htpc duties tho.

 

[Davidh373]

Wow, so you basically came in here to brag up your system... wonderful...

 

[RandomFool]

I realize it's way overkill for normal HTPC work but after running into issues with the Zino, I decided I wanted something that can handle just about anything. I'm also using it to record (1080p) from a couple of webcams, gaming, random services, normal HTPC stuff etc. so it's not completely unwarranted.

I figured, I had the budget and my upgrade cycle seems to get longer every time (1997, 1999, 2002, 2011) so I wanted it to last awhile. Sorry, if this came across as bragging, just thought I'd see what people thought of the build.

Anyway, I finally made it home and put it together this weekend. Damn fast and works great so far, I did have to exchange the video card since I accidentally got the version that doesn't have an HDMI connection.

 

[mnewsham]

I realize it's way overkill for normal HTPC work but after running into issues with the Zino, I decided I wanted something that can handle just about anything. I'm also using it to record (1080p) from a couple of webcams, gaming, random services, normal HTPC stuff etc. so it's not completely unwarranted.

I figured, I had the budget and my upgrade cycle seems to get longer every time (1997, 1999, 2002, 2011) so I wanted it to last awhile. Sorry, if this came across as bragging, just thought I'd see what people thought of the build.

Anyway, I finally made it home and put it together this weekend. Damn fast and works great so far, I did have to exchange the video card since I accidentally got the version that doesn't have an HDMI connection.

Hope you enjoy it and that it lasts as long as you need.

 

[mfenn]

I realize it's way overkill for normal HTPC work but after running into issues with the Zino, I decided I wanted something that can handle just about anything. I'm also using it to record (1080p) from a couple of webcams, gaming, random services, normal HTPC stuff etc. so it's not completely unwarranted.

I figured, I had the budget and my upgrade cycle seems to get longer every time (1997, 1999, 2002, 2011) so I wanted it to last awhile. Sorry, if this came across as bragging, just thought I'd see what people thought of the build.

Anyway, I finally made it home and put it together this weekend. Damn fast and works great so far, I did have to exchange the video card since I accidentally got the version that doesn't have an HDMI connection.

No worries, I just was concerned that you spent a bunch of money without realizing that it could be done for less. 🙂 Glad you like it!