Gaming in a HTPC

[Twinblade]

Due to an impending arrival and limiting space at home I took the decision to sell my PC and replace it with a laptop (also scoring some brownie points with the wife).

However, I am already suffering from withdrawal symptoms as the laptop cannot play games that I thought I wouldn't miss (always the way I guess).

Now, because of the space issue, the only area I can put a new system would be in the spare shelf on my television stand. Initially I thought great, I can get an SFF rig and looked at the Silverstone Sugo SG01, however, this is too big and won't fit.

This leaves just one option, and thats to put it into a HTPC case, or basically, either the Antec Fusion or the Silverstone LC13b. Now, this is all good in theory, but will it actually work?

I am looking at a Q6600 (not overclocked) and probably an 8600/8000GT to go inside. Is this possible? Has anyone done it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Twinblade]

Well the smaller you get, the more limited you get in terms of airflow. And in a gaming system that can be a killer.

Have you looked at the Silverstone Sugo SG03, Lian-Li V350, or the X-Qpack II? They're all capable gaming cases.

Both have been considered, but as I said in my opening post, the space is an issue. It has to be able to sit on the spare shelf on my tv stand and both those mentioned above wont.

 

[Twinblade]

Thanks for the pictures guys, and James, those answer my concerns. Looks like it all fits nicely.

What temps are you getting on yours?

 

[Twinblade]

I've opted for the following spec now the wife has given me the green light to spend:

Asus P5N-E Motherboard (selected as have used this before, and the LC13 fits full ATX boards I believe)
Q6600 Processor cooled by a Zalman CNPS8700
Crucial Ballistix Ram
8800GT 512mb G/Card
Samsung Spinpoint 500gb H/Drive
Corsair 520w HX
Silverstone LC13

Anything glaringly wrong?

 

[Twinblade]

Looks pretty good to myself- id definitly get a 4850- much better card- check out the graphics card sub forum for benchmarks against nvidia cards.
Also if its possible go for a different cooler- the mini ninja is one of the best i believe- im not sure if therd be enough room though- that will have to be answered by one of the more experienced.
Hdd is spot on- good things been said about the samsungs
and the psu is a good choice especially as its modular- reducing cables and therefore improving airflow
how much ram are you going for?

Have looked at the 4850 and will probably swap to that, seems to be getting rave reviews everywhere.

As for the cooler, I might change that as well. I am torn between the LC17 and now thanks to Agr3sive's picks the Thermaltake case, and the Mini Ninja should fit in both.

Probably going to go for 4gb Ram, I have the 64bit Vista already from my last build.