HTPC, which way to go.

RimBlock

RimBlock

RimBlock

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Joined
10 Nov 2004
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Expat in Singapore
Hi,

I have been running a HTPC (well windows 7 P.C. hooked up to the living room TV) but recently it has failed. The motherboard is no longer working and has been disposed of. Due to various reasons, the HTPC has recently been in a Fractal Array R2 case which is not great as there is no slot for my slim Bluray drive.

I also have my sons P.C. which is probably due for a refresh so I have a couple of sets of spare parts with which to build a HTPC and upgrade my sons machine.

The question is, should I use the old PC parts for the HTPC and then get a new motherboard for my sons upgrade.

Parts available and current allocations;
Intel i3-2100 - HTPC
Intel i5-2500 - Spare
Intel C2D (not sure what speed) - Sons machine
MSI LGA775 MATX motherboard
Slimline Bluray.
320GB WD Blue - HTPC
4GB DDR2 ram (for MSI board)
4GB DDR3 ram (for i3/i5 board)
OCZ Vertex 2 60GB - Sons machine
1.5TB Seagate Barracuda - Sons machine
Acer MATX case
Fractal Array R2 case
Palit GTX260 Sonic 216sp - Sons machine
ASUS EAH5450 SILENT/DI/1GD3(LP) - HTPC

Possibilities;
Get a new HTPC case, use MATX board and C2D cpu with the Asus 5450.
Upgrade my son to the i5, get a mITX board and small case which will fit the GTX260 (Silverstone or the like).
Get an Intel 520 120GB SSD for my son and move the Vertex GB to the HTPC.

Cost is very much a consideration ;).

Any Suggestions ?.

Thanks
RB
 
mickyflinn said:
Work out the cost implications and benefits, then make a choice.
Click to expand...

Sorry, maybe I was a little unclear.

What I could like are comments and suggestions on various combination I may be able to make with the parts listed and maybe a few additions. From these suggestions plug and idea or two of my own I can then work out the cost implications and benefits and make an informed choice.

So any suggestions on builds based on the above inventory.

Thanks
RB
 
What are they used for?

I'd be tempted to give your son the i5 when funds allow. But rebuild around the i3 for a HTPC as it will be cooler and quieter than a C2D.
 
ChileanLlama said:
What are they used for?

I'd be tempted to give your son the i5 when funds allow. But rebuild around the i3 for a HTPC as it will be cooler and quieter than a C2D.
Click to expand...

Yep, that was the general direction I was looking at but am looking for recommendations on inexpensive motherboards to pair the processors with.

RB
 
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