First HTPC Build Idea - Suggestions Wanted

[steve O]

Hi All,

I have been using WDTV SMP for a year now and fed up with the lack of customisation. It is time to get a HTPC! This is my first time building a HTPC so very difficult finding the hardware necessary, I will list my requirements first and then my idea of a build afterwards.

Requirements

1. HDMI Output
2. Small Case (Micro-ATX mainly)
3. Play 1080p files locally or streamed
4. Near silent or at least quiet
5. Play "Classic" games

First Build Idea

1. MSI B85-G43 Intel B85 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
2. Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail
3. Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Single Channel Kit (HX313C9F/4)
4. BitFenix Colossus M Micro ATX - Black
5. SuperFlower Amazon 450W "80 Plus Bronze" Power Supply
   
6. Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST2000DM001) HDD

This seemed to cost around £300. higher then i wanted but please let me know on any improvments to cut cost or make sure it meets requirements

thanks

 

[Morfinel]

I would change mob to gigabyte or Asus and this psu I think comes with 12cm fan not 14 which makes it a bit loud, SSD would be nice as well

 

[steve O]

I would change mob to gigabyte or Asus and this psu I think comes with 12cm fan not 14 which makes it a bit loud, SSD would be nice as well

Thanks. Any particular reason for changing the mob to gigabyte or Asus? Double checked PSU and says:

Fan Size: 14cm Silent Fan with temperature control

I meant to do SSD but forgot ha. i shouldnt need too big a capacity for it

 

[RJC]

Done a slight re-shuffle:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte F2A88XN-WIFI AMD A88X (Socket FM2+) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £79.99
1 x AMD A8-6600K 3.90GHz (Socket FM2) APU Richland Quad Core Processor (AD660KWOHLBOX) £71.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17100C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLD38G2133HC11ADC01) £55.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £39.98
1 x Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced Mini-ITX Case - Black £39.95
1 x Antec VP450P 450W '80 Plus' Continuous Power Supply £28.99
Total : £326.50 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 

[Morfinel]

Check this http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18591447&highlight=super+flower+amazon+12
and on official website it's says 12cm, I have send enquiry to double check if this is correct.

In terms of mob the one you selected is ATX not matx Asus and gigabyte have better quality and better RMA service for the same money you can have
YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus VANGUARD Intel B85 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £69.95
1 x Gigabyte B85M-D3H Intel B85 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £56.99
Total : £136.54 (includes shipping : £8.00).


Gigabyte is very nice especially as it benefit from dual bios and some other protection features

I would avoid AMD for their ridiculously high TDP not suitable for HTPC

 

[StevieP]

Intel NUC for my money!

Cracking piece of kit and runs XBMC flawlessly!

 

[Imdur]

I know you're set on M-Atx, but, have you thought about M-ITX? I've had a M-Atx setup for my tv and wished it was smaller. Something that could fit under the tv, even.

 

[steve O]

Thanks for all the advice, manic few weeks so havent had time to think about this anymore.

In regards to M-ITX, i had started with that but the cases never seemed to support 3.5" drives and it always seemed more costly to buy 2.5" drives; for upgrade purposes a M-ATX seemed better really; clearly correct me if im wrong! I'm here to learn

 

[RJC]

The Cooler master in my build supports 3.5" drives. usually its the very small media cases that only support 2.5" drives.