HTPC Feedback

  • Thread starter Thread starter Syx
  • Start date Start date

Syx

Syx

Syx

Associate
Joined
26 Oct 2010
Posts
114
Location
Luton, UK
Hi chaps,

I've put together the following for a HTPC - plan is to use it mainly for streaming/watching movies with maybe some light gaming (The Sims!) thrown in.

Would appreciate any feedback on areas I've underspecced - and overspecced!
I'm 66p over budget by my estimate (And £100.66 according to my wife's...) but not that fussed as Santa will be helping out :)

HTPC2.png
 
Last edited:
Two reasons for that choice; firstly in that it leaves room to upgrade with any additional cards later, and second that OcUK don't do a reputable brand with less.
Noted that it's a bit overkill - so cheers for that.
 
How many and what type of cards are you planning on running later? For reference I have a box with a Q8400, 4GB DDR2, 500GB HDD and a ATI 5670 card running off a cheap 300w PSU. What you have there you could probably run off a 180w Pico PSU.
 
Fantastic point - I'd not even considered a small format PSU due to the case being able to take an ATX one. I was limiting myself to modular units but with a pico-PSU there's no need!

For future expansion purposes I was keeping the option open for a separate GFX card however that's not likely to be any time soon; so I might just go with a small format PSU for the time being and then upgrade later if needed.

Is the 4GB of RAM also a bit much for what I need - would 2GB be sufficient?
 
They do but it's not a modular PSU; which I'm informed may post more than a bit of a problem in the Fusion case! Unless I'm missing something?
 
Syx said:
Fantastic point - I'd not even considered a small format PSU due to the case being able to take an ATX one. I was limiting myself to modular units but with a pico-PSU there's no need!

For future expansion purposes I was keeping the option open for a separate GFX card however that's not likely to be any time soon; so I might just go with a small format PSU for the time being and then upgrade later if needed.

Is the 4GB of RAM also a bit much for what I need - would 2GB be sufficient?
Click to expand...

2GB should be sufficient. I personally would only use a PicoPSU where space and cooling are limited (I've used them a couple of times in various ITX builds). If you have a case that can take an ATX, I would go for that now. It will save you buying a PicoPSU now and then upgrading the PSU if you eventually do decide to add a graphics card. OCZ do a 500w modular that will provide you with more than enough power than an HTPC should ever need. There's a couple of OCuK modular PSUs that are cheaper again than the OCZ if you're willing to forgo having a "brand name" PSU.
 
Thanks - I did think that 2GB would be enough but wasn't sure.

Back to the PSU point; less concerned about the brand name and more concerned about the noise level. I've got a Corsair and a BQ PSU - both are virtually silent. Would be interested to know what the noise is like from the OcUK and OCZ models as having a look through the product list there are some definitely viable alternatives.
 
I've only used Coolermaster, OCZ and Antec PSUs and have had no problem with those regarding noise. Granted they were in tower builds where it wasn't as much of a factor as it would be in an HTPC.

As far as the OCUK PSUs are concerned, contact OCUK and ask them about those as I remember reading a thread where they mentioned they'd tested them extensively (hence why they stock them) so should be able to give good advice on noise and performance.
 
I will take a look through the forums and then if I can't find anything shoot OcUK a question.

Aside from the PSU issue, glad to see that nothing else has cropped up as being ridiculous! Thanks for all your input guys.
 
Black... Silver... I don't mind to be honest!

One thing I didn't mention was that I'd quite like to use a passive heatsink (as the CPU is sat right next to the dual 120mm case fans. I've heard of some success using a mini-ninja in just such a scenario - anyone have any first-hand experience of this?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom