HTPC Feedback

Syx · 7 Dec 2010 at 02:00

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

Syx · 7 Dec 2010 at 02:31

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.

Syx · 7 Dec 2010 at 11:07

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?

Syx · 7 Dec 2010 at 11:21

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 · 7 Dec 2010 at 11:48

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.

Syx · 7 Dec 2010 at 12:13

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.

Syx · 7 Dec 2010 at 15:12

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?