I've been toying with the idea of building my own silent HTPC with some extra storage so I can use it as a multi purpose download box/server to other laptops around the house. The pc will be connected to a 32" 1080p panasonic tv
Then further down the line if it seems appropriate i'd build a separate server box using some of the parts for this build (ie the hard drives and case) and make the htpc have a smaller foot print if possible and stick a ssd hd in it.
currently i have three ideas for a build.
Spec 1. AMD
CPU - athlon 240e -only 45W!
Mobo - ASUS M4A785TD-M Evo or Gigabyte MA785GMT. -doesnt seem much to split them up. its a shame that i cant find a mini-itx amd mobo.
Case -Lian Li Micro ATX Case http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-154-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187 - Couldnt really find any micro atx cases.
Spec 2. ION
CPU/Mobo - Atom N330 or D510. Can't figure out why the N330 is more expensive then the D510 when i thought the D510 was better. Probably go with Zotac as i've heard good things
Case - Now i have a lot more choice. I quite like Lian Li offering of
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-180-LL
or Silverstone's - advantage that it does have a PSU with it
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-063-SV
I do like fractal's offering for the mini-itx. but as it only has room for 1 hard drive, i'll have to wait down the road until i build a server to have it for the htpc!
Spec 3. Intel
CPU - intel dual core e5300
Mobo - Zotac geforece 9300
Cases - same as above
With all 3 builds, there will be 2 x 1tb WD green HD, 2gb or 4gb of ram and the PSU i'd like a low powered modular one but cant seem to find many in the 300w region.
Out of all 3, i quite like amd setup. The only issue for me is the lack of mini-itx motherboards. otherwise i'd have this setup as i know the cpu can be passively cooled.
The ion setup makes a lot of sense if i get the separate server built. This is by far the quietest and lowest power consumption setup. though im worried the cpu might not be able to cope with all the tasks i throw at it.
The intel setup. Probably the most powerful setup. but arguably its overkill and i dont think i'd get it as quiet as the other two setups. I'm not sure if i could passively cool the cpu. It would also consume more power but the major plus for me is that it is a mini itx case.
I think the onboard video for all the motherboards is good enough with the intel one being the most powerful and the atom one being the least.
Opinions are much appreciated!
Then further down the line if it seems appropriate i'd build a separate server box using some of the parts for this build (ie the hard drives and case) and make the htpc have a smaller foot print if possible and stick a ssd hd in it.
currently i have three ideas for a build.
Spec 1. AMD
CPU - athlon 240e -only 45W!
Mobo - ASUS M4A785TD-M Evo or Gigabyte MA785GMT. -doesnt seem much to split them up. its a shame that i cant find a mini-itx amd mobo.
Case -Lian Li Micro ATX Case http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-154-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187 - Couldnt really find any micro atx cases.
Spec 2. ION
CPU/Mobo - Atom N330 or D510. Can't figure out why the N330 is more expensive then the D510 when i thought the D510 was better. Probably go with Zotac as i've heard good things
Case - Now i have a lot more choice. I quite like Lian Li offering of
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-180-LL
or Silverstone's - advantage that it does have a PSU with it
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-063-SV
I do like fractal's offering for the mini-itx. but as it only has room for 1 hard drive, i'll have to wait down the road until i build a server to have it for the htpc!
Spec 3. Intel
CPU - intel dual core e5300
Mobo - Zotac geforece 9300
Cases - same as above
With all 3 builds, there will be 2 x 1tb WD green HD, 2gb or 4gb of ram and the PSU i'd like a low powered modular one but cant seem to find many in the 300w region.
Out of all 3, i quite like amd setup. The only issue for me is the lack of mini-itx motherboards. otherwise i'd have this setup as i know the cpu can be passively cooled.
The ion setup makes a lot of sense if i get the separate server built. This is by far the quietest and lowest power consumption setup. though im worried the cpu might not be able to cope with all the tasks i throw at it.
The intel setup. Probably the most powerful setup. but arguably its overkill and i dont think i'd get it as quiet as the other two setups. I'm not sure if i could passively cool the cpu. It would also consume more power but the major plus for me is that it is a mini itx case.
I think the onboard video for all the motherboards is good enough with the intel one being the most powerful and the atom one being the least.
Opinions are much appreciated!
