Haswell Cooling requirements

[helium]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to build a haswell based HTPC just using the on board graphics. I want to try and make the build as quite as possible. The cpu cooler will probably have to be low profile as well.

I guess my questions are:

Do the haswell chips generally run quite hot? Or for a HTPC only build can i get away with passive cooling? Going to invest in a passive PSU if i can. All of the data will be coming from a NAS system so the the only HD in the build will be a small SSD with the os only.

Any tips to make this a silent / optimal build are appreciated. Don't really want to go down the water cooling route unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Cheers all

 

[Doomedspeed]

May I ask why you're going for a haswell HTPC build rather than trinity/richland?

Haswell nay struggle heatwise under load. How much load will you be putting on your chip?

 

[SirChumpalot]

If you're going HTPC, I wouldn't recommend Haswell.

I built my HTPC with a 3770K and whilst this is was probably overkill I have just about got a hold of the temps.

One thing you have mentioned is what you're going to be using the PC for.

 

[Khazzer]

Which Haswell were you thinking of? Since the mobile versions may be good for an HTPC, with low power and low heat.

 

[helium]

The box will be purely for running xbmc, so HD movies will be the most taxing thing it does. Not sure what OS yet. Id like it to to be able to support 4k too if possible (without the need for an additional graphics card).

Power consumption isn't a problem. If it can do the job and be run quietly the i'm game. I already have one box (just created from old spares) running xbmc and i'm converting it into a nas box.

Haven't touched on AMD chips in years, will give them a look. Moving away from Haswell seems to be the general consensus so far i guess. Chip / mobo combos with hdmi would be great (Got to be micro atx).

Cheers guys

 

[Khazzer]

If you want 4k video at 60Hz you will need display port, not HDMI. HDMI 1.4 only does 4k video at 24Hz.

 

[helium]

Hey Guys, spect a trinity build, gone more budget than originally planned.

My Max is £600, but i don't see the point in adding any unnecessary power. If people have any recommendations id really appreciate it. Especially along the lines of, spend an extra £20 on this, it will be well worth it the long run.

I've used my current HTPC for about 2 years now and love it, but its loud, old and ugly. I don't want to have to replace this until all the parts arn't even worth their scrap anymore if i can get away with it! (Though knowing me i'll upgrade again in a few years ¬_¬)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus F2A85-M PRO AMD A85X Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £109.99
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5 SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £68.99
1 x Silverstone Milo ML03 HTPC Case - Black (SST-ML03B) £56.99
1 x AMD A4-5300 3.40GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD5300OKHJBOX) £37.99
1 x OCZ CoreXtreme 500w '80 Plus' Power Supply £34.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (TW3X4G1333C9A) £32.99
Total : £341.94 (includes shipping : FREE).



Thanks again guys

 

[Avenged7Fold]

If you were going trinity, i would go for the newest ones, i hear good things about richland. Also would bump up the RAM to 2133 since it goes a long way on these APUs. I would also change the PSU to something a little more reliable (and modular, in a htpc you'll appreciate it) and possibly drop the SSD if the budget is too stretched.

If you wanted a fair bit more oommph to your build (though not really required for a htpc) you can go up to an A8 or A10 for a quad core. Well worth the money.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus F2A85-M PRO AMD A85X Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £109.99
1 x AMD A8-6600K 3.90GHz (Socket FM2) APU Richland Quad Core Processor (AD660KWOHLBOX) £99.95
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5 SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £68.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Predator 8GB (2x4GB) PC3-17066C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (KHX21C11T2K2/8X) £65.99
1 x Silverstone Milo ML03 HTPC Case - Black (SST-ML03B) £56.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £43.99
Total : £459.40 (includes shipping : £11.25).



Now your thinking, what does this get me for en extra £120? Well, it gives you a newer trinity which is quad core and performs better. It also gives you double the RAM which is also much faster. You wont need 8GB of RAM but it was just a little more than 4GB of the same speed, the speed is what makes the difference on these APUs. The power supply is more reliable and also modular. When you are short on space, this is very important! I cant recommend water cooling a HTPC, a small loop will still need a fan and be just as noisy as air cooling and a passive loop will be to bulky to make it convenient. There are many near silent small profile air coolers available, if you are worried about heat, they are worth a go.