HTPC build

[Boo_hoo]

Help me spend my money...but not too much

Right, I want to build a powerful HTPC.

Objectives would be :

-Watch 1080p content(via Plex/XBMC)
-Play Bluray(obviously need a drive)
-Play some minor games. Think Emulators and and steam games like Castle Crashers
-Stream netflix
-Play Tv via 2 different a PCI-e card


The parts I already own:
-Silverstone(EATX-mATX)
-OCZ OCZ600MXSP-UK ModXStream Pro 600W
-Corsair H60 honosuseri was right. The rad is too big for the case
-TBS Dual DVB-S2 High Definition Digital Satellite Tuner PCI Express
no competitor links please! Sorry


Parts I need to buy:
-CPU(limited by H60 cooler)
-Motherboard
-Ram
-SSD(128GB)
-Bluray Drive
-Graphics card - Do I need one?(I do have a spare GTX460)
-CPU cooler

I would like to go Intel CPU. I just don't know which one to buy, there are too many options from i3 to i5 and i7 and varying architectures that I just haven't kept up with.
I was thinking maybe a mid range i5?

I think an m-atx motherboard would be easier to work with but not essential.

 

[honosuseri]

You need to edit your post dude. You can't link to competitors just the OCuk page or the manufacturers website....forum rules.

Any who. Something is niggling at me that the H60 isn't going to fit. I doubt you'll be able to mount the rad to the chassis, I'd love for you to prove me wrong though. Might pay to look into low profile air coolers just incase

The i5 isn't a bonkers idea if you are building a potential nemesis to next gen consoles. Haswell (socket 1150) has new improved power saving states (which I'm pretty sure your PSU supports) and better integrated graphics, plus a better memory controller for fast RAM kits. Your 460 GPU is better than a current gen console so might as well use it, why limit your steam library of games? You can always just use the IGP at first to see if the GPU is unnecessary.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £113.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £83.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLD38G1600HC9DC01) £56.99
1 x Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
Total : £496.34 (includes shipping : £9.50).



The i5K can be overclocked on a Z series mobo, what happens about the cooling will be a limiting factor. RAM is the "standard" 1600Mhz you can pay the extra for faster if you so wish. 1600Mhz will work fine and you can always at least try to OC it to 1866Mhz to get a step up the ladder for free. Your choice.

I'd use a full sized ATX mobo as the case allows it (make sure PSU length isn't an issue). Someone will go bonkers that I didn't use the Gigabyte D3HP but the MSI G45 will offer you better expansion for PCI-E, as you want to add tuners maybe a soundcard later etc. Remember that using a GPU can easily take up two slots because of the cooler so you effectively lose a PCI-E slot from a mobo having one.

Best of luck with the build bud. I look forward to seeing how it goes

 

[RJC]

Boo hoo please edit the competitor links out of your post please and check the FAQ regards these.

 

[Boo_hoo]

You need to edit your post dude. You can't link to competitors just the OCuk page or the manufacturers website....forum rules.

Sorry, i don't know what I was thinking. Is it okay to link to manufacturers websites, for future reference?

Any who. Something is niggling at me that the H60 isn't going to fit. I doubt you'll be able to mount the rad to the chassis, I'd love for you to prove me wrong though. Might pay to look into low profile air coolers just incase

You were totally right. Good call. I just tried to fit the H60 and the rad was too big. Not to worry, I got it for free anyway.

Any recommendations on a good low profile cooler.

The i5 isn't a bonkers idea if you are building a potential nemesis to next gen consoles. Haswell (socket 1150) has new improved power saving states (which I'm pretty sure your PSU supports) and better integrated graphics, plus a better memory controller for fast RAM kits. Your 460 GPU is better than a current gen console so might as well use it, why limit your steam library of games? You can always just use the IGP at first to see if the GPU is unnecessary.

Sounds good. I will start off with IGP and see how things go. I may even buy a new GFX card for it

The i5K can be overclocked on a Z series mobo, what happens about the cooling will be a limiting factor. RAM is the "standard" 1600Mhz you can pay the extra for faster if you so wish. 1600Mhz will work fine and you can always at least try to OC it to 1866Mhz to get a step up the ladder for free. Your choice.

I will definitely overclock the CPU to see what it's capable of, but I will probably leave it at stock. It should be plenty of power at stock.
1600MHz ram will be just fine. I don't really like overclocking ram and the performance boost to 1866MHz wouldn't be too great.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £113.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £83.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLD38G1600HC9DC01) £56.99
1 x Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
Total : £496.34 (includes shipping : £9.50).

Those parts look awesome. Thank you.

I have decided to use my current 120GB Crucial M4 in the HTPC and buy a 256GB for my pc. Any thoughts on a 256GB SSD?

P.S I just received a Corsair AX860 due to an RMA. I now also have that spare. Which PSU do you think I should use?

 

[honosuseri]

The Corsair PSU is OTT unless you will run dual GPUs, as you are undecided about having even a single GPU then 600W is more than enough. The MSI G45 and GB Z87X-D3H can do dual GPUs but I've used them more for the extra PCI-E slots as I explained earlier rather than the Xfire/SLi feature.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Samsung 250GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE250BW) £149.99
1 x Gigabyte Z87X-D3H Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £119.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite Black 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £56.99
1 x Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
1 x Be Quiet! Shadow Rock Topflow SR1 CPU Cooler £39.95
Total : £608.29 (includes shipping : £9.50).



The GB mobo offers a dual BIOS and a UK based RMA, it's a little more than the G45 but arguably worth it. The Z87X-D3H also gives you a legacy PCI slot too should you need one. The RAM is a higher CAS rating (technically worse) but it's black and keeps the build looking tidy.

Max cooler height is 138mm for the GD08 case, this Bequiet cooler has a large quiet fan and is 126mm tall with the fan attached. Remember the i5K CPU comes with a stock fan so you can change it out later when you feel the need to overclock to help keep costs down for now.