HTPC (i3 GT430 MiniITX)

ltnmzh

ltnmzh

ltnmzh

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Joined
6 Aug 2011
Posts
480
Hi guys,

Really need your wisdom on a HTPC build that replaces my dead ION box.
This build will run Linux, XBMC and other services. (This setup is inspired by Destroyer's post here http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18302642)

CPU: G620/840/850 or i3 2100 series
Cooling: the heatsink and fan that come with the CPU
Mobo: Gigabytes or Asus H67 MiniITX
GraphicCard: Any GT430 cards
Memory: 4GB
Harddrive: the 2.5' 300GB from my dead ION box. I have a 2TB WD World Edition external drive so I'm fine.
Case: MiniITX. Silverstone SG05B 300W seems very nice.


So here comes the questions
1. CPU-wise, should I go for i3? I don't need HyperThreading and I usually switch it off anyway.
2. Memory, can I got for 4GB single slot or do I have to get 2x2GB?
3. 300W should be enough?
4. Do I need to buy SATA/power connector/adaptor for my 2.5' HD?

But you know humans are greedy. Cos this is HTPC will most like sit beside my sofa, I want it to be quiet.

Not sure whether a fanless setup would work (nice but a lot more expensive)
1. Fanless PSU
2. Fanless Graphics card (Zodac GT430 Zone Edition)
3. A fanless CPU cooler would be nice but would it fit? Maybe some water cooling system like Corsair Hydro Series H60?

Would Silverstone SG05B fit? Maybe should go for Lian Li PC-Q08B w/o PSU because I will replace it with fanless PSU anyway and don't want to waste SG05B's already very good PSW.


Second thought: probably should just go for the basic version. If too noisy, then replace the CPU fan and/or PSU.


Sorry for the long post guys.


Edit:
great videos on Youtube on casing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxF-5HczPr8
 
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Because the Intel iGPU's STILL cant manage to play back 24p properly most likely.
Under DXVA mine just kicks out a macroblocked mess as well :o
 
I have a GT 430 in mine and I think its pretty quiet.
I cant realy tell though atm, as the PSU drowns out everything (long story) so the case is going back and being replaced with something with a PICO PSU.
 
Venares said:
I have a GT 430 in mine and I think its pretty quiet.
I cant realy tell though atm, as the PSU drowns out everything (long story) so the case is going back and being replaced with something with a PICO PSU.
Click to expand...


I thought PICO PSU is 120W Max. Would it be enough? Espcially for my i3 SandyBridge setup? Would a fanless 400W PSU be better choice?
 
My 620t + GT 430 was pulling rougthly 50w from the wall when I tested it.
So a Pico 120-150w would be plenty.
 
That was typical load usage.
Tested with XBMC running, 1080p mkv movie and a BluRay.

200w is bonkers mate.
My cpu CANNOT by its very design pull more than 35w.
And GT 430 is at most 60w full load.
Id say worst case your looking at 100-110w.

Also bear in mind that the psu in the case I have atm is FAR from efficient.
I would expect a PICO to pull a good 10w less atleast.
 
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Report back:

Went with
1. Silverstone SG05 + 450W PSU
2. Gigabytes H67N-USB3-B3
3. i3 2120
4. 2x2GB mem
5. MSI GTX 550Ti Cyclone 2 OC
 
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it's a very cool and silent system. My projector is noisier than the box.

the graphics card makes some high pitch noise under load. Not from the fan. From the capacitors I think.
 
ltnmzh said:
I'm using Linux. The best driver support so far is for Nvidia cards.

My ION worked perfectly with Nvidia driver and using VDPAU acceleration in XBMC.
Click to expand...

Actually I used to say just that, however last week-end nvidia support borke dowm in debian and I had to switch to the intel built in HDMI...

And it worked! I got video acceleration and OpenGL all working, pretty much out of the box!

So it' worth trying...
 
Are you on debian unstable? I'm thinking of switching to debian. I hate ubuntu now. pulse audio, unity+gnome3 etc etc.

Re hardwarewise, I'm playing games so I doubt intel's card would be able to drive them.

All in all, I really should have gone for a full size beefy cpu+graphics card. Tessellation + high AA really kills the frame rate.
 
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