As an update, my current system has a gigabyte ga-ma785gm-ud2h motherboard.
About to order all the parts for a new HTPC build, looking for input.
I currently have a HTPC setup and I love it, I am just getting the itch to set up a new one. I built it about 4 years ago. Here is my current setup:
Cooler Master Micro ATX Mid Tower Case
Phenom II x2 555
Crucial Ballistix DDR3 1333 2gbx2
Crucial 120gb SSD
I don't remember the motherboard, has built in Graphics.
WD Green Drives 2TBx3
Sony Blue-ray/DVD-R
Liteon DVD-R
Cooler Master 500W Power supply
Hauppage dual TV Tuner
This is what I am thinking about setting up:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2W1jk
CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($56.06 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $698.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-19 06:24 EST-0500)
I was just looking for some input on this build. I plan on reusing the Blu-ray drive. I could also potentially re-use the ram, SSD, PSU, and two of my 2tb drives in order to save some cash for right now, I will otherwise sell the parts on craigslist or reuse them in another HTPC for a friend. The main purpose of the machine is to watch movies (DVD, Blu-Ray, Ripped, downloaded), watch and record over-the-air HD TV (I don't have cable), Netflix, and some web surfing. I will also do almost all of the DVD and Blu-ray ripping on it. Yes, I do need a decent amount of storage, the machine doubles as a media storage. I stream to an Xbox and a laptop and an ipad. I thought about getting a NAS, but I would rather save the cash and put it straight into the computer.
Thanks for the input, I am very open to suggestions, if you have any questions just let me know. I used to be much more knowledgeable in this stuff, but I haven't stayed up to date over the last 4 years or so as I have been finishing up school.
Cooler Master Micro ATX Mid Tower Case
Phenom II x2 555
Crucial Ballistix DDR3 1333 2gbx2
Crucial 120gb SSD
I don't remember the motherboard, has built in Graphics.
WD Green Drives 2TBx3
Sony Blue-ray/DVD-R
Liteon DVD-R
Cooler Master 500W Power supply
Hauppage dual TV Tuner
This is what I am thinking about setting up:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2W1jk
CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($56.06 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $698.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-19 06:24 EST-0500)
I was just looking for some input on this build. I plan on reusing the Blu-ray drive. I could also potentially re-use the ram, SSD, PSU, and two of my 2tb drives in order to save some cash for right now, I will otherwise sell the parts on craigslist or reuse them in another HTPC for a friend. The main purpose of the machine is to watch movies (DVD, Blu-Ray, Ripped, downloaded), watch and record over-the-air HD TV (I don't have cable), Netflix, and some web surfing. I will also do almost all of the DVD and Blu-ray ripping on it. Yes, I do need a decent amount of storage, the machine doubles as a media storage. I stream to an Xbox and a laptop and an ipad. I thought about getting a NAS, but I would rather save the cash and put it straight into the computer.
Thanks for the input, I am very open to suggestions, if you have any questions just let me know. I used to be much more knowledgeable in this stuff, but I haven't stayed up to date over the last 4 years or so as I have been finishing up school.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
So I have update my build. I changed the SSD to a bigger one. I am going to sell off my old drives and get these new 3tb drives. I will also keep the old computer and sell it to my friend that just needs a basic HTPC.
Any suggestions otherwise? Would an Intel CPU be a better choice? I just dont know. Any input is appreciated.
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
So I have update my build. I changed the SSD to a bigger one. I am going to sell off my old drives and get these new 3tb drives. I will also keep the old computer and sell it to my friend that just needs a basic HTPC.
Any suggestions otherwise? Would an Intel CPU be a better choice? I just dont know. Any input is appreciated.
Why are you using a liquid CPU cooler for that APU? You should be able to get a decent quiet heatsink and fan for that, even in a mini ITX. The only reason to switch to Intel (in my opinion) would be if you do CPU intensive tasks, like transcoding, or desire lower power consumption. I like AMD's price point with their APUs, and they're adequate for gaming, if you plan on doing any.
I Am doing the water cooler just because. I probably could get a decent heatsink. I read one very well written review about the case that mentioned that with the combination of a normal optical drive (I am pulling the Blu-ray from my previous setup) and a normal sized psu, there was very little room for standard heatsink. It recommended a water cooler because a low profile, high quality, and quiet heatsink would end up being $50 and so it's not a bad idea to spring for the water cooled.
I do some ripping of DVDs and Blu-ray. Not tons though. I have been very impressed with my current AMD phenom and I like the price of AMD and the built in graphics a little better. I really don't game. Just to show how old I am, the last time I played a processor intensive game was Star Craft and Lara Croft. Not the sequels, the original.
I do some ripping of DVDs and Blu-ray. Not tons though. I have been very impressed with my current AMD phenom and I like the price of AMD and the built in graphics a little better. I really don't game. Just to show how old I am, the last time I played a processor intensive game was Star Craft and Lara Croft. Not the sequels, the original.
Or is this build completely overkill? Should I just stick with my current build and maybe upgrade something?
The only thing I would say is overkill is the large SSD. I guess it depends on what all your purposes of the build.
I'm going through a build now, But intel based. and am just going with a 64gb SSD, to put on the OS and maybe a couple main programs to run off of. All media will be going on two, 3tb hdd's. and I'm going to toss in a 500gb drive I"ve got laying around to put steam games on in the future.
I would say stick with the watercooling. I am doing the same, Even if it's not needed, it'll keep everything cool, and that hopefully means the other fans won't have to run as high - thus quieter.
only other thing I'd look into is seeing if you can find a gold or platinum rated PSU for around the same pricepoint as the one you have. If you can't find one near the same price. don't bother, To outweigh the extra cost it would take 2-3 years of power savings to pay for itself.
Really though it looks like a solid build. And if you think the larger SSD is worth the cost, then I say go for it. but really with a smaller SSD you could upgrade to one of the new Kaveri chips
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1551658
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1551659
draws a tiny bit less power, I haven't had a full read on them, but they look pretty damn good to me.
The only thing I would say is overkill is the large SSD. I guess it depends on what all your purposes of the build.
I'm going through a build now, But intel based. and am just going with a 64gb SSD, to put on the OS and maybe a couple main programs to run off of. All media will be going on two, 3tb hdd's. and I'm going to toss in a 500gb drive I"ve got laying around to put steam games on in the future.
I would say stick with the watercooling. I am doing the same, Even if it's not needed, it'll keep everything cool, and that hopefully means the other fans won't have to run as high - thus quieter.
only other thing I'd look into is seeing if you can find a gold or platinum rated PSU for around the same pricepoint as the one you have. If you can't find one near the same price. don't bother, To outweigh the extra cost it would take 2-3 years of power savings to pay for itself.
Really though it looks like a solid build. And if you think the larger SSD is worth the cost, then I say go for it. but really with a smaller SSD you could upgrade to one of the new Kaveri chips
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1551658
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1551659
draws a tiny bit less power, I haven't had a full read on them, but they look pretty damn good to me.
In my current build I have a 128gb Crucial M4. I have tried to minimize what is install onto it. I have plenty of room on my other drives. Currently there is about 70gb used up on my SSD. I have windows 7. I am betting if I go to Win8, it will just use more space. I could probably get by with just 120 rather than the 240, but the price difference was only about $30-40.
As for the other processor, I haven't really looked into them. For the most part, I try to get the most bang for my buck, so I have a hard time shelling out more cash for a new CPU because the price per CPU power is a bit inflated.
As for the other processor, I haven't really looked into them. For the most part, I try to get the most bang for my buck, so I have a hard time shelling out more cash for a new CPU because the price per CPU power is a bit inflated.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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