ITX HTPC

[ps00n]

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

 

[ps00n]

-ignore-

 

[ps00n]

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

Thanks! Any thoughts on the motherboard? There are a couple cheaper alternatives;

• ASRock H77M-ITX - £82.99
• Asus P8H77-I - £83.99

 

[ps00n]

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.

I would prefer to stick to Intel as I have in the past just for familiarity.

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.

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.

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

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?