Wife's computer - Future HTPC

[GoStumpy]

Well I've officially got the computer-building bug. My machine works flawlessly, and my friends build went better than expected... Everyone is amazed (including me) with the performance of recent builds!

Next one I want to be small.. As small as possible. Mini ITX small

Budget is as low as possible. Sub $400.

Parts I already have 'in stock': WD10EADS (1TB Green HDD), Keyboard/Mouse, 17" Monitor (1280x1024), Corsair CX430V2, G.Skill RipJaws 8GB Ram.

All parts will be from Newegg.ca. Canadian, naturally.

So basically I need Case, Motherboard, CPU, and Video Card??

Case: Lian-Li PC-Q07 $70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811112227

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-H61N-USB3 MiniITX $70 after MIR
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128526

CPU: Intel Pentium G530 2.4ghz Dual-Core $57
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116409

Since this Motherboard has HDMI, DVI, and VGA outputs, do I even need a video card? Not unless wife wants to play some games? I have a Zotac GeForce GT220 1GB I can throw in there, I'm sure that'll be better than any onboard video... Once I buy a 1080p LCD TV, this will become the HTPC

 

[Blain]

No need to get fancy...
Your wife simply needs a barebones Atom D525 or AMD E-350.

 

[piasabird]

Well even an inexpensive video card will significantly raise the MS Aero scores. This frees up RAM usage for the system. However, it may raise the noise level slightly. Dont know if I would use a 65W processor.

 

[GoStumpy]

Atom D525 is a no-go, not compatible with the Ram I have.

The E-350, however... Seems like thats almost a good option??? Scary though, only a 1.6ghz dual-core... non upgradeable. Worried it will be too slow in a year or two and I can't upgrade? With the MiniITX motherboard I could put an i5-2400 if I so desired...

 

[Ken g6]

What does your wife want to do with it? The E-350 is perfect as a HTPC - that's what it's designed for.

 

[GoStumpy]

Currently she has a Sony Vaio laptop, Intel Core2Duo 2.0ghz, 3gb ram, integrated GM965-ish video... She's watching movies, playing silly little facebook games... She may try Minecraft or similar... Interested in Eldar Scrolls, but obviously that would be on my computer not this little one

She really doesn't need anything more than an E-350.... yet. I don't know what the future holds for her computer-wise...

 

[mfenn]

Well even an inexpensive video card will significantly raise the MS Aero scores. This frees up RAM usage for the system. However, it may raise the noise level slightly. Dont know if I would use a 65W processor.

The G620 is 65W in name only. You would have to try very hard indeed to get it to pull 65W.

 

[mfenn]

Currently she has a Sony Vaio laptop, Intel Core2Duo 2.0ghz, 3gb ram, integrated GM965-ish video... She's watching movies, playing silly little facebook games... She may try Minecraft or similar... Interested in Eldar Scrolls, but obviously that would be on my computer not this little one

She really doesn't need anything more than an E-350.... yet. I don't know what the future holds for her computer-wise...

I guess my main problem with an E-350 is that it costs the same as the Pentium + mobo. The Pentium is a vastly superior processor that doesn't need to rely on GPU offloading to decode HD video. This comes in handy for situations where the GPU offload just doesn't work (*cough*Netflix*cough*).

 

[GoStumpy]

As well, the Pentium is upgradeable if plans change in the future I'm pretty sure I'll go with the Pentium / mITX mobo...

End Result:

Case: Lian-Li PC-Q07 $70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811112227
PSU: Corsair CX430V2 $15
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...26&Tpk=CX430V2
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-H61N $70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128526
Ram: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB $35
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820231314
CPU: Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz Dual-Core $57
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819116409
HDD: WD Green 1TB (used)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16822136317
GPU: Zotac GT220 (used)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814500129

Total: $247

Feels like I'm missing something...

Oh yeah! Windows 7 OEM $110

Total: $357

 

[Zap]

Looks good. Overkill on RAM, but I guess it is cheap enough. The Green HDD will make it feel sluggish... hmmm, does she actually store much on the HDD? If the movies are streaming and most of the games are online, then I would suggest... selling off the HDD and using that money on an SSD. Heck, I just picked up a 120GB SSD for $115 after rebate, and your WD 1TB Green HDD sells new for $130 at Newegg.

BTW does your wife (or you) care about noise? The CX430 PSU is not that quiet. Isn't particularly noisy, but not quiet.

 

[GoStumpy]

I have a CX430V2 in my current computer, and I can't even hear that it's on, except that high-pitch whine when your ear is right up against it. Wife likes to download her TV series onto her computer... She's had her laptop's 250gb drive full two or three times now, until I go and transfer them to my main computer... So I'm pretty sure she'll appreciate having a full TB to work with!

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Hi there, GoStumpy, my turn to visit your thread!

I'll be very curious to know whether the PSU is noisy or not. That's precisely what I'm concerned with, when it comes to current power supplies. So when you get this build together, you'll have two CX430V2 up and running - please let us know. You mention a high-pitch whine, and that really worries me. I have very sensitive ears, so I can really hear these noises, and I absolutely hate them! I even unplug my XDE500 DVD player, because I can't stand the noise it makes (and I changed two of them at the store because of that). I assume we're talking about the same thing: a very high tone, somewhat reminiscent of an old CRT being turned on...

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the high-pitch whine in a power assembly used to indicate that one of the capacitors was about to give up the ghost?

Speaking of noise, wouldn't you prefer a passively-cooled GPU?

 

[jasonb55]

Hey

That sounds like exactly what I need to put a HTPC together. Problem is, when I added those items to the cart on newegg.ca I don't get the same prices. The ram is coming out at $45 and the PSU is $40 (after MIR). Is there some kind of comboing to get the lower prices? Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks

 

[GoStumpy]

Sorry, I really shouldn't include sale prices The RAM was a shell-shocker deal, and the PSU was a 'daily special' with 15% off and a $20 MIR.

 

[jasonb55]

Haha, damn.

Still a good deal but those were some good prices and I'm glad I wasn't missing something.

Thanks

 

[mfenn]

As well, the Pentium is upgradeable if plans change in the future I'm pretty sure I'll go with the Pentium / mITX mobo...

End Result:

Case: Lian-Li PC-Q07 $70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811112227
PSU: Corsair CX430V2 $15
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...26&Tpk=CX430V2
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-H61N $70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128526
Ram: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB $35
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820231314
CPU: Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz Dual-Core $57
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819116409
HDD: WD Green 1TB (used)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16822136317
GPU: Zotac GT220 (used)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814500129

Total: $247

Feels like I'm missing something...

Oh yeah! Windows 7 OEM $110

Total: $357

Looks good to me! Agree with Zap about the RAM, but I'll hold my tongue for $35.

 

[GoStumpy]

I will quite likely only use 1 stick of ram in this build... I can't see a need for more than 4GB in this type of computer...

 

[GoStumpy]

Bleh, now I found 8GB of Corsair ram for $29!! must...not...buy...

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Bleh, now I found 8GB of Corsair ram for $29!! must...not...buy...

Where? Do tell!

 

[GoStumpy]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2205151

 

[mfenn]

Might as well as long as you haven't already bought some other RAM.