ITX HTPC

ps00n

ps00n

ps00n

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Joined
30 Jul 2011
Posts
27
Hi everyone

I'm ditching my gaming rig and setting up a HTPC. I had the following in mind:

YOUR BASKET
1 x intel core i3-3225 3.30ghz (ivybridge) socket lga1155 processor (55w) - retail **high performance igp** £109.99
1 x streacom nano 150w htpc power supply/adapter £77.99
1 x streacom st-f7cb evo htpc aluminium case - black £74.99
1 x noctua nh-l9i cpu cooler low profile - 92mm (socket 1150 / 1155 / 1156) £34.99
total : £309.35 (includes shipping : £9.50).



+ ZOTAC H77-ITX WiFi [H77ITX-B-E] - £100
+ SSD and HDD I already have
+ 8gb 1600mhz ddr3 xms3 from my gaming rig

TOTAL: £409.35

Then I wondered if I could save £110 by using the i5-2500k from my gaming rig, but I'm not sure if its too power hungry and and I don't want to add a graphics card so also not sure of its IGP capabilities.

Also not sure if the motherboard I've picked is best bang for buck.

Any advice?

Thanks :)
 
Hi ,

Personally with that case and psu , yes the 2500K would be to much i think. But your on the right lines with the i3 3225 there. Excellent little cpu and will deliver with a better IGPU. But id say thats about all you could do with 150w of power.

Regards

McstylisT
 
McstylisT said:
Hi ,

Personally with that case and psu , yes the 2500K would be to much i think. But your on the right lines with the i3 3225 there. Excellent little cpu and will deliver with a better IGPU. But id say thats about all you could do with 150w of power.

Regards

McstylisT
Click to expand...

Thanks! Any thoughts on the motherboard? There are a couple cheaper alternatives;
 
What about an AMD Richland APU and A85X FM2 board?

Google the Asrock A85X Mini ITX board and it can be had for about £85, and a A6 6000 series APU would be more than fine - better graphics than the Core i3 and cheaper.
 
Would it be an option to undervolt and underclock the core i5?
Ran an old Phenom I X3 on an Antec Mini Skeleton (think it was) 120w PSU like this in the past, did the job nicely.
 
Have you considered the FC8 which is the fanless version of the case? Its a bit more expensive but does away with the cooler and makes the case completely silent. I have the same with the same cpu and it runs great. Silence is excellent for HTPC duties :)

I'd also look around at the other Pico PSU's, they're exactly the same as the streacom (i have one of each) but are usually a fair bit cheaper :)
 
LePhuronn said:
What about an AMD Richland APU and A85X FM2 board?

Google the Asrock A85X Mini ITX board and it can be had for about £85, and a A6 6000 series APU would be more than fine - better graphics than the Core i3 and cheaper.
Click to expand...
I would prefer to stick to Intel as I have in the past just for familiarity.

Emlyn_Dewar said:
Would it be an option to undervolt and underclock the core i5?
Ran an old Phenom I X3 on an Antec Mini Skeleton (think it was) 120w PSU like this in the past, did the job nicely.
Click to expand...
I don't want to fiddle about to be honest, I also imagine doing this would result in even less gpu power than the i3? I could get some money back by selling the i5.

Marvt74 said:
Have you considered the FC8 which is the fanless version of the case? Its a bit more expensive but does away with the cooler and makes the case completely silent. I have the same with the same cpu and it runs great. Silence is excellent for HTPC duties :)

I'd also look around at the other Pico PSU's, they're exactly the same as the streacom (i have one of each) but are usually a fair bit cheaper :)
Click to expand...
I'll keep the case recommendation in mind - thanks.
I have no experience with pico psus, any specific model or brand I should look for?
 
ps00n said:
Thanks! Any thoughts on the motherboard? There are a couple cheaper alternatives;
Click to expand...

Hi mate ,

Both those boards are excellent. Either is not a bad option.
I actually have the P8H77-I myself and im very happy with it so far. I run this with my i7 2600 and it works flawlessly. But using an ivy CPU would be the best option on a H77 ( as you've chosen )

Regards

McstylisT
 
Another vote here for the FC8 :)

I have one (for sale currently) that was used for as a HTPC and it's brilliant. I also created a custom heatpipe cooler for the northbridge of the Intel 1155 mobo (also for sale) I was using and tied that into the heatsink too. Kept the whole box 100% silent and very reasonable temps too.

AS for a Pico PSU, I used a 120watt version I had lying around from a previous build. I would say go for at least 120w and a power brick to match
 
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