HTPC (i3 GT430 MiniITX)

[ltnmzh]

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

 

[ltnmzh]

What possesses you to want a GT430 in a HTPC when i3's VGA would be plenty?

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.

 

[ltnmzh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnGWo...eature=related

See this video. Interesting CPU cooler setup - liquid cooler with radiator attached to the case fan loosely from inside.

Overall in the video, his HTPC is so quiet! Is it because of YouTube being Low Def?

I'd be very happy if my box is on this noise level.

 

[ltnmzh]

Yeh, definatly go Nvidia with Linux.

I'm pretty sure it would be Nvidia. No doubt at all. The question is the fan vs fanless version.

I haven't used any modern non-laptop machines for years. Are they all very quiet now?

 

[ltnmzh]

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.

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?

 

[ltnmzh]

My 620t + GT 430 was pulling rougthly 50w from the wall when I tested it.
So a Pico 120-150w would be plenty.

Interesting. Was it under load or idle when you see 50W?

Found this: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/pentium-g850-g840-g620_8.html


Some online power calculator gives around 200W peak.

 

[ltnmzh]

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

 

[ltnmzh]

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]

Don't suppose you've tested DTS-MA / True HD bit streaming with that card, have you Itnmzh?

No, I don't have a device to test against.

my audio sys is a cheap 3.1 speaker set.


do you recommand any good ones?

 

[ltnmzh]

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.