HTPC Build

Frozennova · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:26

Hi guys looking at building a htpc for the living room and heres what ive come up with

Will it be ok, and is there any alternatives I could use to cut cost without comprimising performace.

The system will also be used for Photoshop/Dreamweaver, as well as running a TV card that I already have

95thrifles · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:32

Hi, personally Id look at getting a newer gfx card, the 5770, performs about on a par with the 4870 but is more efficient, quieter and cooler, all good for a HTPC. I'd also get a better PSU, even if its just the VX450, again for same reasons, these two are actually pushing the cost up a touch I know but you'll be better off in long run
You could ditch the 2 F1's and get 1 500gig F3, recoup some of the cash and F3 is faster than F1

Frozennova · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:40

Looks like that might be a better idea, only costing another £6 or so.

Would I get more bang for my buck by going with a similar AMD system such as the Phenom II 810?

Whats the cooling like on this case or would I be better of with an alternative

95thrifles · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:50

If you were to go AMD, I'd recomend the Athlon (the Phenom is prob too hot really for a HTPC), the X2 620 for example, you're gonna save money, quite a bit, and they run nice n efficiently too, but it would be a performance hit, how much depends on intended uses, check out a couple of review sites like anandtech and techreport
I'd stick wiith the fusion, unless youre happy going with a tower to stand by the side, if so Antecs P series are good, you could get mini P180 and change mobo to the UD2 which is mATX or get the P183 which is midi tower, these P series have better cooling and better sound dampening too but obviously not quite as aesthetically designed, though they are nice, unfortunately you seem to have to pay a hefty premium for proper HTPC cases, another option, antec again, lol, is the NSK2480, out of stock here atm, very good desktop style case just without the remote basically

Frozennova · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:57

It'll a small amount of gaming mainly UT3, Photoshop, Fireworks and Dreamweaver, but I specifically want a HTPC case As I havent the room for a tower and would like for it to fit it nicely next to the sky box.

What do you think to the Lian Li C33B as an alternative case roughly the same price as the antec

95thrifles · 2 Dec 2009 at 14:03

Lian Li's are almost universally excellent cases, I'm sure that one is too, again google is your friend, if I were you I'd try and find some pics of a build in one first, just make sure youre happy with size and layout