[Topcon7]


So I've finally made the plunge and ordered my first components for my HTPC. Not much really, just my case and an SSD. but it is finally a step in the right direction.

CASE:                                                                                                                                               

My PC will be in a closet, and cables will be run through the ceiling/walls. so I didn't need an HTPC case. I ended up going with a Cooler Master N200.


It's mATX - has room for 3 3.5'' drives, and 4 2.5'' drives. and looks plain enough that if I ended up using it in the open. it doesn't look super gawdy. That and the case has tonnes of fan space for higher airflow.

OS Drive / Media Storage:                                                                                                          

And I've picked up an ADATA SSD 64gb, for the OS.  I managed to get both for 105$can , minus a 25 dollar mail in rebate. So got the case and SSD for ~80 bucks plus shipping and taxes. Not a bad start.and for storage, was thinking of going with two - 3tb hard drives in a raid. so 6tb of media space. and I've got a couple 500gb 2.5'' laptop hard drives kicking around, I'm going to put in for steam/games to run off of. 

CPU:                                                                                                                                                

As far as the rest of the build goes. I could use a bit of help.

I'm thinking either an i3-4130 or i3-4130t. Originally was leaning towards the 4130t, for lower power consumption. But as I'm going to have this as an 80%htpc, and 20% steambox. I was wondering if anyone thinks the 4130 or even 4330 might be better suited as a CPU.

PSU:                                                                                                                                                

Power Supply I'm completely stuck on, I want something efficient, but isn't going to break the bank.

MOBO:                                                                                                                                               

I'm going with a mATX board. thinking an H87 board so I can upgrade ram down the road more easily, and have an optical audio out. - still haven't decided fully on which one. but am thinking of  http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131994

RAM:                                                                                                                                          

RAM I'm going to wait and hope prices come down from this ridiculous high they're on.

Blu Ray:                                                                                                                                     

Blu ray drive - TBD






as of now, I'm just going to run with the onboard graphics in the i3. then upgrade down the road for dedicated graphics for the gaming side of things.


So does this sound like a decent build? for a low end - htpc/steambox. if anyone has some pointers, ideas, or advice I would love to hear it.


Thanks

 

 

[Topcon7]

bump?


Also really debating on stepping up to an i5 for upgradability. Wondering if it's worth the extra 70 bucks in the build.

 

[Mfusick]

I'ts always worth getting more CPU. A faster processor processes faster.

 

[StardogChampion]

As for i3-4130 vs i3-4130T, having built a couple of i3-4130 systems now you would think it is a "T" processor given how little power it uses and how cool it runs. The only justification I could find for the i3-4130T is if you need the low-profile cooler and it's cheaper than i3-4130 + aftermarket low-profile cooler. However, in that case you don't need a low-profile cooler at all.


As for i3-4130 vs i3-4330/4340, given how close the price (US prices) of the 4330/4340 is to the i5-4430 (~+$50) I would either stick with the $115 i3-4130 or go up to the $190 i5-4430 but no bother with anything in between. I like to look at marginal cost for marginal performance gains. There's not much performance gain from i3-4130 to i3-4330/4340 (some but not a lot) but there's a good jump i3-4130 to i5-4430 so in my math you get more for your money either with i3-4130 or i5-4430.


I like your motherboard choice very much. I would stick with it.


PSU depends entirely on what GPU you're thinking about for the future. Even high-end single GPU setups these days don't need more than 550W and most can get by with 400W or less. These are some nice power supplies:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151117


400W+
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151124


500W+
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703035
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151093
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139053


RAM prices will come down when HDD prices start going back up

. What's nice about having 4 slots is if you have to you can get 2 x 2GB now and 2 x 2GB or 4GB later so there's definitely an upgrade path.

 

[Topcon7]


Thanks for the input! 

I am really considering going with an i5 now. I think like you said, for performance/cost, it would be the best bang for buck if I go over the 4130.


I also really like the seasonic 450w PSU you suggested, I like that it's modular and gold rated. This is definitely now at the top of my list.


I was debating on a platinum rated Antec Earthwatts. but it would add (I think) an unneeded 40 bucks to the build that would take a few years for me to even see the savings from.


I did have one other board I was looking at. Would save 30 bucks for the build, while having all the same options.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157384


 

 

[Mfusick]

Pricing might be different in Nova Scotia than it is for StarDog and here in USA. I agree with everything he said, assuming the pricing models hold up. But if you can get a deal on any i3 or any i5 they honestly would all work fine. The modern haswell are incredibly powerful, both are enough for what you need. I too like the i5 because I like overkill, and because there is a good bump in performance for not a huge cost which makes it seem to me a good deal.

 

[Topcon7]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick  /t/1517435/starting-my-htpc-steambox-build-input-welcome#post_24386576


Pricing might be different in Nova Scotia than it is for StarDog and here in USA. I agree with everything he said, assuming the pricing models hold up. But if you can get a deal on any i3 or any i5 they honestly would all work fine. The modern haswell are incredibly powerful, both are enough for what you need. I too like the i5 because I like overkill, and because there is a good bump in performance for not a huge cost which makes it seem to me a good deal.

Pricing isn't too bad nowadays on some things between the two countries. And I'm pretty handy at finding deals.

The big difference would be where StarDog is in NH, there's no sales tax, and here there's 15%. lol so it does add a little overhead. I used to goto New Hampshire when I was younger for Tax Free shopping.