Working on my first HTPC - need feedback

[sarangm]

Hi All,

This is my first time to take on a a project such as this. I plan to use the HTPC mostly for storing/watching shows through OTA antenna and internet. No gaming.
Here is what I have ordered:

"SilverStone Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case ML03B (Black)" $70.00

"FAVI Entertainment Wireless Keyboard (Built-in TouchPad/Laser Pointer) - Black" $26.99

"Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2x4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX" $49.99

"SiliconDust HDHomeRun Dual High Definition Digital Television HDHR3-US (Black)" $99.00

"Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2" $94.99

"ASRock H67M-ITX Socket 1155/ Intel H67/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&V&GbE/ Mini-ITX Motherboard" $86.99

"Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack" $99.99

"Core I3-2120T, 2X 2.60GHZ" $128.00

"Antec EA-380D Power Supply EA-380D" $44.99

"SILVERSTONE SDP08 3.5 to 2 X 2.5-Inch Bay Converter" $7.99

"Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST2000DL003" $119.99

The i3-2120T uses only 35W, so it should run very cool and should cut down on the heat and noise, and should still have enough power as I don't do any gaming at all. 8g memory is a bit overkill, but for $24 more than for the 4g, I think it's worth it. I was going to have another 2TB disk, but it's a bit too expensive. I would rather wait till the prices get down a bit. I also have a 1TB USB drive sitting around that I would like to try out. I like the idea of having a network box for the duel tuner. I can always add another one later if I need to record 4 shows at at time.
I am also considering using Plex so I can have access to the media from anywhere.

What do you think guys? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
sarangm

 

[Ken g6]

Unless you're doing video conversion (which is very possible), an i3 is overkill for an HTPC system. A G530, or G620T if you want to keep it very cool, would work fine. If you are doing video conversion with software that supports Intel Quick Sync, consider an i3 2105 instead, for the bigger GPU. Or consider waiting about a month and a half for the Ivy Bridge processors to come out.

If you're so concerned about heat and power, why are you getting 1.65V RAM? Sandy Bridge processors shouldn't use more than 1.5V anyway. Here's some 1.25V RAM if you want to keep it very cool.

Edit: I see you've already ordered all this stuff, including the RAM. "Don't panic!" It's likely to run fine at 1333MHz/1.5v.

 

[sarangm]

Thanks Ken. Changing the RAM. Fortunately it's not delivered yet. Easy to cancel. I am certainly concerned about the heat. Thank you for the great suggestion.

 

[Charlie98]

Actually, I had very much the same question with pretty much the same qualifications... here. I considered the i3 but am pretty much convinced it's overkill and would wind up costing about $110 more (with the mobo.)

You probably don't even really need the SSD (I may wind up using my old one when I replace it with a 128GB) even though it would be nice to have.

 

[mfenn]

First rule of ATGH: Post before you buy!

Your build looks OK overall, but we could have saved you a hundred bucks and the headache of having to cancel items if you would have posted before you pulled the trigger.

I'm curious as to why you went with the HDHomeRun? Do you plan to use its tuners on multiple systems?

 

[sarangm]

HDHomeRun sounds like a good option as it's not a card, so won't add to the heat inside the case. It's a box, but doesn't need to be in the living room, and I can access the media from any TV or computer/tablet, all good aspects. I can also add another box if needed later on.