HTPC Zalman Extreme

[Scoob145]

Welcome to my build log

I Have wanted to build a htpc for a long time as my ageing laptop just doesnt cut it anymore and my PS3 sounds like it is going to take off when watching a Bluray

Anyway lets get down to the build shell we

The spec is as follows

• Corsair TX550M 550W Modular PSU
• Corsair Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
• TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz x 2
• LG Bluray Writer
• 1 x 128gb Samsung 830 SSD
• Zalman HD 503
• Logitech MX5500 Keyboard & Mouse
  

Unfortunatly this will not be just built in one day as i do not have the money for such a rig lol. This can be partly blammed on fellow OCUK forum members who managed to talk me out of building a low budget AMD trinity setup to building a super HTPC Not that im complaining

Anyway ive just got home and found that whilst i was at work last night a parcel arrived for me

So whats in the Box ?

Hopefully over the next few days i should have some more bits being delivered

Thanks for looking

Scoob145

 

[Scoob145]

Part 2 of the build thanks to OCUK

Some more parts arrived today ! Here is another small update for all you ocuk members

The 16GB Team xteme 2133MHZ memory

The LG Bluray writer

MMMMMMMMMMM New 550wt Modular PSU

The cooler

PSU fitted

The H60 causing me problems allready Doesnt fit were it needs to

As you can see above it interfears with the IO Shield . Any suggestions ?

 

[honosuseri]

Replied in your other help me thread. If you flip the pipes to the otherside and mount the fan externally how does it fair?

Thank you for taking the time to do a build log. This looks quite the rig you're building, hope we can over come the heatsink issue

 

[Space Monkey]

Looks like a nice setup, HTPCs never used to interest me but as the years roll on, I've become more interested in them

Also, agree with honosuseri, try what he suggested and see what it's like?

 

[trickynickyuk]

hhhhmmmm i think that might be one of my next challenges a htpc

 

[GodAtum]

Could you cut costs down by using an i3 or Atom? Will those even play blue-ray?

 

[Tattysnuc]

That CPU, and cooler is a bit over overkill for HTPC. Still, a very nice machine. You're only missing a discrete graphics card to be able to game properly on it!

 

[Scoob145]

Decided to go with my original plan and make it low powered so I went back to the original spec and bought the amd set up . Got some new goodys to . Spec now as follows

• Amd 5700 APU
• 16gb team extreme
• Gigabyte F2A85X UP4
• 128 GB Samsung 830 Ssd
• Asus 6670 silent edition

I'll try and work out how I can upload pictures off of my iPad as I don't have a pc to use now lol

 

[SFFNoob]

Great case that, had one before I swapped it out for something smaller, can't fault the features TBH, lovely finish on the front too.

Must say the parts will complete a fine HTPC, funnily (if you don't mind me saying) you've hit the same problem I did with the H60 (the same cooler too but I guess its probably likely to be the same case with others due to the depth with the fan). Incidently had the same issue on my now current case - a Silverstone GD04B. In the end went with a Scythe Shuriken, saying that it has somewhat limited me to what OC I can put on my i7 3770K without it getting toasty.

However, I must admit, this never hit me:

Replied in your other help me thread. If you flip the pipes to the otherside and mount the fan externally how does it fair?

Thank you for taking the time to do a build log. This looks quite the rig you're building, hope we can over come the heatsink issue

honosuseri, great thinking fella, but I'm still unsure on whether I want a fan on the outside of my case even though it couldn't be seen.

Finally, your revised setup looks better IMO, may I ask, will you be gaming at all? As I would have presumed the on-board GPU? of the motherboard/CPU would be able to run Blurays, wouldn't they?

 

[Scoob145]

Great case that, had one before I swapped it out for something smaller, can't fault the features TBH, lovely finish on the front too.

Must say the parts will complete a fine HTPC, funnily (if you don't mind me saying) you've hit the same problem I did with the H60 (the same cooler too but I guess its probably likely to be the same case with others due to the depth with the fan). Incidently had the same issue on my now current case - a Silverstone GD04B. In the end went with a Scythe Shuriken, saying that it has somewhat limited me to what OC I can put on my i7 3770K without it getting toasty.

However, I must admit, this never hit me:



honosuseri, great thinking fella, but I'm still unsure on whether I want a fan on the outside of my case even though it couldn't be seen.

Finally, your revised setup looks better IMO, may I ask, will you be gaming at all? As I would have presumed the on-board GPU? of the motherboard/CPU would be able to run Blurays, wouldn't they?

I will be gaming on it but I'm not expecting 7970 gfx and will be by happy if it runs them smoothly on medium settings . As for the cooler I have solved my issue and will reveal all when I've figured out how to upload photos from my iPad as I've sold my laptop to fund new build lol .

 

[Scoob145]

So my order turned up at last and I worked out how to upload images thanks to people on these forums .

So lets see the hardware















And for those of you wondering how I'm going to get the h60 in the case !

Spoiler

Tomorrow will be build day as waiting on TIM so I can finish the build off always forget to order the smallest thing lol

 

[SFFNoob]

LOL, forgot about the hole on the lid, but couldn't it possibly warp over time due to the weight of the cooler?

 

[Scoob145]

Yeh it might well do but I have thought about everywhere else and seeing as I can't return the cooler I might as well try it