£1000 media PC spec

crazyDAJT · 14 Apr 2008 at 17:20

just noticed this case,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-047-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1114

£132.76 inc VAT has 6 internal HDD bays,

thats one more than the Zalman HD160+ and £66.98 cheaper, or £254.95 than your original option

EDIT:

silver

me like

gazza0371 · 14 Apr 2008 at 18:29

Cases....Hmm, choices, choices....

Back on the internals for a bit - anyone know an ETA for the 4850e? That sounds (no pun intended) good to help keep the noise down.

Also, CPU coolers; the processor socket looks pretty close to the memory slots and have been reading about problems with some coolers fitting to the micro-ATX boards. Any views on quiet coolers that would fit ?

crazyDAJT · 14 Apr 2008 at 18:53

gazza0371 said:
Cases....Hmm, choices, choices....

if you looking for cases best bet is to take a few steeps forward, if your going to get a gigabit lan network set up, with a good centralized storage server, and can connect the box via lan, then i whould go for a slimmer box, the Antec Fusion is a grate choise.

if your going to struggle with wifi, i whould sugest making it an all in one box, storage server and HTPC, then get a bigger box, the Silverstone Grandia or the Zalman HD160+.

all look grate, but its best to get wife approval first

gazza0371 said:
Also, CPU coolers; the processor socket looks pretty close to the memory slots and have been reading about problems with some coolers fitting to the micro-ATX boards. Any views on quiet coolers that would fit ?

my guess would be something like this, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-028-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=821

gazza0371 · 15 Apr 2008 at 07:01

Thanks for the advice all - decision is currently:

Pioneer DVR-215DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - £19.96
Samsung SpinPoint F1 750GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD753LJ) - £78.71
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+ 2.20GHz (Socket AM2) - £41.11 - might wait for the 4850e is it is going to be around in the next few weeks
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H AMD 780G Micro-ATX (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £62.26
Zalman HD160+ Aluminium HTPC Case - Silver £199.74
Akasa AK-392 CPU Cooler (Socket AM2) £29.36
Akasa Ultra Quiet 400W Paxpower Active PFC ATX2.2 PSU - £41.11

So that's £485 inc VAT and delivery

I'm going to try it on my wireless and then make a decision on whether to go for more internal storage or wired LAN.

Thanks everyone for your help, I think you saved me a heap of money

keyser · 15 Apr 2008 at 11:41

Yup touch screen seems a waste of money, since, if it were me, I'd want to do everything via remote control anyway.

hp7909 · 15 Apr 2008 at 12:14

gazza0371 said:
Akasa AK-392 CPU Cooler

Don't think that can handle a Dual-Core processor :confused:

Besides, you'll find because of the fan size it will be loud

Recommend you have a look at the Zalman range (here) in particular CNPS8700. Should fit fine in the HTPC case & run much quieter

timciren · 15 Apr 2008 at 15:12

my 160xtplus runs quiet and cool with a single 92mm fan blowing through a mini ninja cpu cooler on intel e2200 ,and out of the openings for the two rear case fans.
touchscreen isnt that useful but it saves turning the tv on for music
splash the cash on the 160xtplus!!!

gazza0371 · 16 Apr 2008 at 23:19

hp7909 said:
Don't think that can handle a Dual-Core processor Besides, you'll find because of the fan size it will be loud

Recommend you have a look at the Zalman range (here) in particular CNPS8700. Should fit fine in the HTPC case & run much quieter

Looks like those coolers will cover one of the RAM slots, which will be a pain for me as I want to use 4 GB from another rig so will use all slots.

hp7909 · 17 Apr 2008 at 06:13

gazza0371 said:
Looks like those coolers will cover one of the RAM slots, which will be a pain for me as I want to use 4 GB from another rig so will use all slots.

I've searched around & don't think so. See the height of the cooler should easily clear the memory slots (see here).

BUT to play it safe, maybe go for the CNPS8000 instead. It seems the most compact & should easily run a 45/65w Athlon X2 very quietly

gazza0371 · 17 Apr 2008 at 07:37

I think the problem is that on the AM2 board that the processor socket is much closer to the DIMM slots - interesting the RAM in the picture is similar physically to the type I will be using so at least I can now judge a bit better.

hp7909 · 17 Apr 2008 at 08:27

But don't forget the Zalman uses its own mounting bracket