Rebuild into HTPC

Sukh · 26 Apr 2016 at 18:12

Circumstances have arisen which mean I will no longer have a traditional PC set up - i.e. monitor on desk and keyboard etc.

I think the most I will have is a TV screen to use as a display and space under the TV in a media unit to include a PC of some sort.

Now, I have the following PC which has served me very well for a at least 5 years:

Q6600
Tuniq Tower
Abit IP35
4gb OCZ reaper ram with the funky heatsinks
Ati 4890 2GB Vapour X

I think for the most part, I will use it for netflix media/ bit of browsing. No heavy gaming or anything else.

Is it best to keep everything the same spec and put it into a case like this?

Or is it worth going for a less power hungry graphic card and CPU then moving into a new case?

lsg1r · 26 Apr 2016 at 19:03

If everything is working fine I'd personally just swap case and look at maybe a quieter cooler setup (how noisy is the vapour x?) and 'media remote/keyboard' for sofa browsing etc.

Having said that there'd be no harm in looking into a newer gpu as that would likely run cooler and have better hdmi specs etc.

Sukh · 26 Apr 2016 at 19:32

The vapour is nice and quiet, I think I need to change one fan as it is a a bit loud.

Any recommendations on keyboard?

Stealthploit · 26 Apr 2016 at 20:43

if your not gaming and using it only for browsing music movies and so on . i would buy a small ssd

for my windows and 1-2 tb for movies and goodies and a wireless set mouse and keyboard

Sukh · 26 Apr 2016 at 21:28

Got a 120gb SSD for windows

Any top picks for quiet cases?

lsg1r · 26 Apr 2016 at 23:51

Sukh said:
Any top picks for quiet cases?

theres some passive cases out there by the likes of streacom (not cheap) but you'd likely need to change your cpu etc due to tdp on the q6600 being too high, then the gpu would need help with airflow on it's cooling too.

If you're changing the case and the cpu you might as well start looking at a smaller pc's like the intel hdmi stick or a nuc (assuming no gaming intended)

As to the keyboard... personally I'd grab a MS or Logitech Keyboard with built in touchpad and if you're prepared to spend the cash one with backlit keys.

mistersprinkles · 27 Apr 2016 at 03:39

Get a NUC they're awesome! Gigabyte Brix is similar and also awesome.

Alternatively just pop your stuff in an HTPC case and you're good to go. Fan speeds can be turned down. HTPCs dont do much intensive stuff.