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Please look over build before I hit the purchase key...

post #1 of 34
3/6/13 at 9:26am
Thread Starter 
I have worked on this for months - not a lot of spare time to research in my job. I am a new builder - so this is going to be a spring break project for me. Please look over everything - I am a little confused on the slots available on the motherboard. I have a TV Tuner card and a wireless adapter - will they both fit on this board? The tuner comes with a remote that I can use on windows 7 until I find one that works better. I know some of this might be a little overkill - but there is always a chance I will add on to it so I wanted to make sure it s good in the future. Is there anything I left off??? Going to use this to cut out cable and record over the air TV as well as watch netflix, Hulu...

Thanks

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HVhS) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HVhS/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HVhS/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i3-3225 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i33225) | $132.90 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77pro4m) | $109.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1600c9) | $59.48 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120kw) | $116.95 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd20ezrx) | $102.98 @ Outlet PC
**Case** | [Silverstone SST-GD05B-USB3.0 (Black) HTPC Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-sstgd05busb30) | $114.31 @ SuperBiiz
**Power Supply** | [Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-ea380dgreen) | $47.98 @ Outlet PC
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050) | $89.98 @ Outlet PC
**Other**| Hauppauge 1229 WinTV-HVR-2250 White Box for System Builders Dual Hybrid PCI-E TV Tuner Board| $96.11
**Other**| Rosewill Wireless N Dual Band Adapter IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n PCI Express Upto 450Mbps Data (RNWD-N9003PCe)?| $34.73
**Other**| Pioneer BDR-2208| $69.99
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $975.40
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-06 12:13 EST-0500 |
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post #2 of 34
3/6/13 at 9:32am
Great start.

You might want to consider the WD Red 2TB for the extra warranty alone. Its currently cheaper than your Green drive at Amazon.

I would also rather have the MKIII PSU (see my hardware guide for the link) or the Antec Neo PSU over the Greenwatts. Don't forget that the power cord is not included with some of the PSU (the Greenwatts and Neo).
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post #3 of 34
3/6/13 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Great start.

You might want to consider the WD Red 2TB for the extra warranty alone. Its currently cheaper than your Green drive at Amazon.

I would also rather have the MKIII PSU (see my hardware guide for the link) or the Antec Neo PSU over the Greenwatts. Don't forget that the power cord is not included with some of the PSU (the Greenwatts and Neo).

The WD Red is $10+ more...

You have 4 pcie ports so I would think 2 of them would work without BIOS problems.

That memory is overpriced.

Do you need a core i3?

Expensive build, but I'm cheap.
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post #4 of 34
3/6/13 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
Thanks - Have now changed to the PC Mk III power supply. Looked for the red drive - couldn't find it any cheaper. Is there a high failure rate on the Green drives?
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post #5 of 34
3/6/13 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
I looked on the Asrock site for compatible memory - hard to find anything cheaper with good ratings. Any suggestions?
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post #6 of 34
3/6/13 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JLD1968 View Post

I looked on the Asrock site for compatible memory - hard to find anything cheaper with good ratings. Any suggestions?

Compatibility shouldn't be an issue. Just get the cheapest 8GB single chip DDR3 1600 that you can.
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post #7 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by macks View Post

Compatibility shouldn't be an issue. Just get the cheapest 8GB single chip DDR3 1600 that you can.

Is it no longer beneficial to have two sticks of RAM for dual channel access (2x4GB) instead of single channel (1x8GB)?
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post #8 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by macks View Post

The WD Red is $10+ more...

You have 4 pcie ports so I would think 2 of them would work without BIOS problems.

That memory is overpriced.

Do you need a core i3?

Expensive build, but I'm cheap.

I read the list above incorrectly. Yes, you are correct. I saw a Red at Amazon for about $115 or so.
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post #9 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JLD1968 View Post

Thanks - Have now changed to the PC Mk III power supply. Looked for the red drive - couldn't find it any cheaper. Is there a high failure rate on the Green drives?

No, there is not. At least no reports with actual data behind it. smile.gif The actual failure or success rate is completely unknown as the companies aren't going to disclose this information.

I have 8 green/5400RPM drives and all are older than a year and many are older than 2-3 years. All are fine.

The Red does have a better warranty and if you think the company will honor it then the extra cost might be worth it to you if its only a few dollars more.
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post #10 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:17pm
You can get a 3TB external for $110, if your not worried about warranty.
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post #11 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

Is it no longer beneficial to have two sticks of RAM for dual channel access (2x4GB) instead of single channel (1x8GB)?

You only gain about 3% or so benchmarked performance gain when going from single to dual channel. I have posted on this before and there was an actual test done that showed this difference. Do a search here on AVS and you might find my post about it (I hate the new search function at AVS).
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post #12 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

You can get a 3TB external for $110, if your not worried about warranty.

Just use the serial number of the internal drive and most companies will honor the RMA.
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post #13 of 34
3/6/13 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

You only gain about 3% or so benchmarked performance gain when going from single to dual channel. I have posted on this before and there was an actual test done that showed this difference. Do a search here on AVS and you might find my post about it (I hate the new search function at AVS).

Well 3% > 0%. I'm not planning a new build anytime soon so I'll avoid the search function a little longer. However, I would like to build a new server...
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post #14 of 34
3/6/13 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

Well 3% > 0%. I'm not planning a new build anytime soon so I'll avoid the search function a little longer. However, I would like to build a new server...

Well, that 3%>0% depends.

You also get a few less watts used by going single channel and a single stick (especially 4GB) usually costs less than 2 sticks. I personally am not going to notice a benchmarked 3% difference. But I also still use and recommend dual channel kits.
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post #15 of 34
3/6/13 at 1:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

Well 3% > 0%. I'm not planning a new build anytime soon so I'll avoid the search function a little longer. However, I would like to build a new server...

That 3%=0% for most htpc applications as they are not memory bandwidth limited.
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post #16 of 34
3/6/13 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by macks View Post

That 3%=0% for most htpc applications as they are not memory bandwidth limited.

If you want to get technical then the OP should just get a single stick of 4GB RAM since there isn't much of a gain to be had with 8GB.
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post #17 of 34
3/6/13 at 3:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

Is it no longer beneficial to have two sticks of RAM for dual channel access (2x4GB) instead of single channel (1x8GB)?

You only gain about 3% or so benchmarked performance gain when going from single to dual channel. I have posted on this before and there was an actual test done that showed this difference. Do a search here on AVS and you might find my post about it (I hate the new search function at AVS).

Your data is old. It used to be correct. On H61/67 and older Sandy it's true.

On Z77 and Ivy the difference is about 4-7%, with a correlation to the memory clock speed and latency used.

The memory controller on Z77 is much improved- but still it's not a big difference overall. There was a good article on it recently I'll try to dig it up.
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post #18 of 34
3/6/13 at 3:43pm
Dual Channel > Single any time you can. I am not sure the cost savings if worth it unless your a total miser on a very small budget.
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post #19 of 34
3/6/13 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JLD1968 View Post

Thanks - Is there a high failure rate on the Green drives?

Should work fine for your intended purpose. Green drives make good basic storage inside HTPC's.
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post #20 of 34
3/6/13 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

If you want to get technical then the OP should just get a single stick of 4GB RAM since there isn't much of a gain to be had with 8GB.

Agreed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Your data is old. It used to be correct. On H61/67 and older Sandy it's true.

On Z77 and Ivy the difference is about 4-7%, with a correlation to the memory clock speed and latency used.

The memory controller on Z77 is much improved- but still it's not a big difference overall. There was a good article on it recently I'll try to dig it up.

HTPC tasks aren't memory bandwidth limited so there is 0 difference. MadVR might be a different story.

If you look at memory limited tasks and synthetic memory benchmarks then it makes a little difference.
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post #21 of 34
3/6/13 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by macks View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

You can get a 3TB external for $110, if your not worried about warranty.

Just use the serial number of the internal drive and most companies will honor the RMA.


+1

Done it multiple times.
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post #22 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by macks View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

If you want to get technical then the OP should just get a single stick of 4GB RAM since there isn't much of a gain to be had with 8GB.

Agreed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Your data is old. It used to be correct. On H61/67 and older Sandy it's true.

On Z77 and Ivy the difference is about 4-7%, with a correlation to the memory clock speed and latency used.

The memory controller on Z77 is much improved- but still it's not a big difference overall. There was a good article on it recently I'll try to dig it up.

HTPC tasks aren't memory bandwidth limited so there is 0 difference. MadVR might be a different story.

If you look at memory limited tasks and synthetic memory benchmarks then it makes a little difference.

I was actually thinking of MadVR when I wrote that. What else would it matter for ?

Bottom line is single channel and 4GB will still work fine for anything a basic HTPC will do. Using 8GB or dual channel can provide benefits but is not necessary.

But using a 4GBx2 kit and 8GB in dual channel is most preferential IMO. And, if your doing SVP and MadvR then you'll see some benefit, and might even want to consider faster memory.

I just upgraded my HTPC from 1600mhz Gskill RipJAWS to TRIDENT X (PC2400) and I'm pretty happy with the results. The TRIDENT X was on sale and I was buying 8GB anyways so it ended up costing me $2 more.

@ OP

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226288 $50 is a good value choice

The Gkill is also nice: $56

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

But I would go with 1866mhz for $1 everytime. (yes one dollar biggrin.gif )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455
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post #23 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Your data is old. It used to be correct. On H61/67 and older Sandy it's true.

On Z77 and Ivy the difference is about 4-7%, with a correlation to the memory clock speed and latency used.

The memory controller on Z77 is much improved- but still it's not a big difference overall. There was a good article on it recently I'll try to dig it up.

So now you want to argue 3% vs 4%???

Geesh.

Guess I should have said 3-6% and given a range like you did.

The point is the performance gain is very minimal. And we are talking, again, about benchmarks.
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post #24 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Your data is old. It used to be correct. On H61/67 and older Sandy it's true.

On Z77 and Ivy the difference is about 4-7%, with a correlation to the memory clock speed and latency used.

The memory controller on Z77 is much improved- but still it's not a big difference overall. There was a good article on it recently I'll try to dig it up.

So now you want to argue 3% vs 4%???

Geesh.

Guess I should have said 3-6% and given a range like you did.

The point is the performance gain is very minimal. And we are talking, again, about benchmarks.

I was not arguing. I was actually trying to be informative. If I had not just read this I would not have bothered making comment.
I already agreed it was not a big difference. But cost wise it's not either so I generally think the sweet spot for DDR3 memory is 1866mhz and 8GB in dual channel right now.

4GB is enough
single channel is enough.
Slower than 1866mhz is enough.


But: wink.gif 1866mhz in dual channel and 8GB is "preferred" (At least by me biggrin.gif )

I just don't see any benefit to giving up the performance even if it's only "3%" I actually was trying to stress how these factors are interrelated and the total difference is probably greater. By this I mean a small boost with dual channel over single channel can be compounded and find synergy with faster clock, lower latency sticks and 8GB will likely provide a small boost over 4GB (if your running 64bit) The end result is better performance, but you'll be hard pressed to find much significance in any one factor as each of them is only a few percent.

For someone wanting to run SVP or MadVR+ReClock with AR+Jinc3 I think it makes sense, especially since 1866mhz and dual channel is not going to cost much more (if anything at all).
I recommended a nice 1866mhz kit and dual channel for less than he's looking at for the 1600mhz stuff. If you run it at 1600mhz you can even tighten up the timings.
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post #25 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

I was not arguing. I was actually trying to be informative. If I had not just read this I would not have bothered making comment.
I already agreed it was not a big difference. But cost wise it's not either so I generally think the sweet spot for DDR3 memory is 1866mhz and 8GB in dual channel right now.

4GB is enough
single channel is enough.
Slower than 1866mhz is enough.


But: wink.gif 1866mhz in dual channel and 8GB is "preferred" (At least by me biggrin.gif )

I just don't see any benefit to giving up the performance even if it's only "3%" I actually was trying to stress how these factors are interrelated and the total difference is probably greater. By this I mean a small boost with dual channel over single channel can be compounded and find synergy with faster clock, lower latency sticks and 8GB will likely provide a small boost over 4GB (if your running 64bit) The end result is better performance, but you'll be hard pressed to find much significance in any one factor as each of them is only a few percent.

For someone wanting to run SVP or MadVR+ReClock with AR+Jinc3 I think it makes sense, especially since 1866mhz and dual channel is not going to cost much more (if anything at all).
I recommended a nice 1866mhz kit and dual channel for less than he's looking at for the 1600mhz stuff. If you run it at 1600mhz you can even tighten up the timings.

Thanks for the lengthy post but that's not what we were discussing. The OP was pretty clear in his goals for the htpc.
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post #26 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post



Thanks for the lengthy post but that's not what we were discussing. The OP was pretty clear in his goals for the htpc.

I said the same thing when I started. I just wanted to play a movie. Now I use MadVR most of the time and while the benefit is small I enjoy it. Certainly not a deal breaker but limiting yourself seems silly when it costs so little now.
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post #27 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:19pm
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post #28 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:20pm
I think you just missed it. Ended yesterday frown.gif
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post #29 of 34
3/6/13 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

I said the same thing when I started. I just wanted to play a movie. Now I use MadVR most of the time and while the benefit is small I enjoy it. Certainly not a deal breaker but limiting yourself seems silly when it costs so little now.

Edit: Forget it.
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post #30 of 34
3/6/13 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Edit: Forget it.

Assassin's "Forget it." posts always make me laugh.

We are arguing about something silly again though.
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