Is it possible - gaming and HTPC mini ITX

Soldato
Joined
12 May 2005
Posts
8,384
Right… Is this possible, what I’d like to do is build a small mini ITX based system that is a HTPC and capable of playing gamepad type games on a 40” telly.

Basically its to site under the telly and be used as a gaming and home cinema PC, so it needs to be relatively powerful to run games like Bioshock infinite or the new tomb raider at 1080p at a reasonable level of detail and when finished gaming use it for XBMC with catchup TV plugins.

Needs USB 3.0, HDMI 8GB memory should be enough and an SSD to boot + if possible a 2TB internal storage but could use external as USB 3.0 is quick or even eSATA could do the trick.

Case would be better in black, smaller the better.

Won’t need screen or a keyboard or mouse, just need a case and the bits to make it all work.

Possible for £500?
 
Thats actually not too bad, why would I need to get the BIOS flashed?

It seems the board does`nt have the Bios update for IB Cpus. I specced the same mobo and chip for another member and he had to send it back. That`s when we found out the board needed a newer Bios. For the price it is a decent board, with it having USB 3.0 and sata 6gb ports and is a good price at the moment.
 
I would also recommend using a sg05 or gd05 case by silverstone. Both tiny (sg05 more so I feel) and both will fit a 7850 quite easily. If you really want you could fit the 10.28 inch 7950. The twin frozr 3 version. Just about the limit of what the sg05 will fit with a bit of trouble.
 
Look at my Sig, didn't need to cut the case to fit the GTX 670 in, I aslo have a SG05 based HTPC under my TV with i5 2600k, 8GB, 256GB SSD, 3TB HD and a 7850 again no mods and doesn't give me a ounce of trouble playing F1 2012 maxed :)

I use Corsair Liquid Coolers with only one fan mounted on the radiator with all my SG05 builds and remove drive cages and suspend 3.5" HD internally with a shoelace bungee and blue tac a SSD to the 3.5" HD. Very easy and effective :)
 
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