[leftax]

Hello. I have built several PCs, but this is my first HTPC build and I feel like a noob. I simply cannot settle on a case. I love the Lian Li PC-C37, but I cannot find a 4670 card that will fit (I refuse to rely on any mobo's onboard graphics processor). Space is one major limiting factor; the case cannot be higher than 7 inches or deeper than 16.5 inches. The only thing I can find that seems to work are the Origen boxes, but I really don't want to spend $350+ on the case. I would very much appreciate any recommendations. Thanks.


Lou

 

[hirent]

You mean you need a low-profile card?

Why not get the HD4350?

And just out of curiosity, why so set against an onboard IGP?

I have built 5 HTPCs recently, 2 with onboard, 3 with discrete graphics; no perceptible difference with any of them.

 

[leftax]

Thank you for the reply. I like the 4670, so it is the card I want to use. I just need to find a case that fits both the card and my space limitations.

 

[hirent]

As far as I know the 4670 doesn't come in Low-profile.

Can you use a PCIE extension card in your case?

Looks like you might either have to change your case or your card preference.

 

[leftax]

Yes, that is exactly the point of my post. I am looking for case recommendations, since my v-card of choice precludes low profile cases, and I haven't found a non-low profile case that I like that isn't deeper than 16.5 inches or taller than 7 inches (other than the $$$Origen$$$). Thanks!

 

[hirent]

Sorry, the original post kinda slipped my mind.

I assume you have looked through newegg?

What board do you have, ATX or microATX?

 

[leftax]

I expect I will go with mATX, since the possible cases are likely to be somewhat smaller.


Oh, and yes I have spent hours and hours looking at cases on Newegg. Very hard to decide. I like the Chieftec HM-02, but it is too deep.

 

[Servicetech571]



Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent /forum/post/16852184


You mean you need a low-profile card?

Why not get the HD4350?

And just out of curiosity, why so set against an onboard IGP?

I have built 5 HTPCs recently, 2 with onboard, 3 with discrete graphics; no perceptible difference with any of them.

+1, IGP has come a LONG way recently. Newer chipsets can run 1920x1080 @ 60 frames per second, something unheard of in the IGP world 2yrs ago.


Not to mention all the extra power the HTPC will use feeding a high end graphics card. Many people leave their HTPC on 24/7 adding insult to injury.

 

[Deezee3677]

Here are some options. Check the specs and you will see they fit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163055

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811204032

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163137


Or you could get the larger Lian Li version of the one you are looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112147


edit: I'm a slow replier, looks like my question was answered.

 

[rdunnill]



Quote:
Originally Posted by leftax /forum/post/16852093


Hello. I have built several PCs, but this is my first HTPC build and I feel like a noob. I simply cannot settle on a case. I love the Lian Li PC-C37, but I cannot find a 4670 card that will fit (I refuse to rely on any mobo's onboard graphics processor).

With the PC-C37, you have the choice of two full-height cards via a riser or four low-profile cards.

 

[renethx]



Quote:
Originally Posted by rdunnill /forum/post/16854005


With the PC-C37, you have the choice of two full-height cards via a riser or four low-profile cards.

It's PC-C36.

 

[renethx]



Quote:
Originally Posted by leftax /forum/post/16852093


Space is one major limiting factor; the case cannot be higher than 7 inches or deeper than 16.5 inches.

There are lots of choices. For mATX mb, for example,


- Antec Fusion Remote (Black)

- Antec NSK2480

 

[leftax]

Well, I just decided to go ahead and get the Origen S16V and skip a vacation this summer. The dimensions are perfect for my space, and it seems like a very nice case. It also allows me to use a full ATX mobo, which I prefer. That said, please let me have feedback on the following planned build:

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4 PCI-Express Video Card HDMI DVI-I VGA,Model 100255DDR4 (deactivated item at Newegg)
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X3 705e Heka 2.5GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 65W Triple-Core Processor
ENERMAX MODU82+ EMD625AWT 625W ATX12V Ver.2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink


I picked the GA-MA790GP-UD4H over the $20 cheaper GA-MA790X-UD4P mainly because of a slight preference for the layout (including more onboard USB headers), even though I won't be utilizing the onboard HD3300. I would certainly appreciate any comments/suggestions/criticisms before I start buying components.


Thanks,

Lou

 

[Bigbird999]

I don't see the logic of selecting a low powered CPU (65w) and relatively low powered GPU (

 

[leftax]

Good point! I picked the PS because it is quiet and reliable, but I can get a lower power model of the same line. The stock cooler for these chips is terrible and noisy, so I wanted something quiet but not too big for the case. Any better suggestions? Thanks!

 

[rdunnill]



Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/16854031


It's PC-C36.

The reviewers stand corrected.

 

[Bigbird999]

If you use the Gigabyte hardware controller you can set a custom fan speed vs temp profile. Your cpu should not break a sweat in an HTPC application so the fan speed will be slow = quiet. If your case ventilation is OK, you should get by with ~1000 rpm on the CPU fan which should be almost inaudible. YMMV and you may be more sensitive to noise or are in quest of a silent HTPC, but, for most folks, the stock cooler in an HTPC environment is good enough. Try the stock and add a custom cooler later if you need/want.


BB