Spec check please - HTPC and occasional games

[grumpybeard]

Hey guys,

Been out of the loop for a number of years so out of touch with hardware side of things.

I want to build a new system as a good spec HTPC running XBMC for Linux, with dual boot for Windows 7 for occasional gaming and surfing.

Most grateful if you guys can check my spec, any comments/suggestions most welcome. In particular I have no idea about graphics card, I want Nvidia based for better compatibility with XBMC/Linux, but I want it quiet, so thinking of fanless passive 9800 GT, perhaps 2 in SLI? I imagine the newer cards all have fans and are gonna be a little noisy for HTPC use.


OVERCLOCKED* Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHz @ 3.20GHz / Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P Intel P45 Motherboard / Kingston HyperX 4GB 8500C5 DDR2 Bundle

Mini Ninja cooler.

OCZ Vertex Series 30GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive (OCZSSD2-1VTX30G)

Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB

Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 650W ATX2.2 Modular SLi Compliant Power Supply

SilverStone case Lascala LC13B HTPC Black.

LG GGW-H20L Blu-Ray Rewriter

Additional silent case fans, such as the Noctua?? Asking for too much from one system - quiet as possible for media playing but with games capability?


Thanks, very much appreciated!

JP.

 

[95thrifles]

youre better off going with an AM3 set up than intels 775, better and more of an upgrade path, I wouldnt recomend SLI in a HTPC as theyre likely to overheat, particuarly if you want to run paasively

AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £105.00 (£91.30)
Asus M4A78T-E AMD 790GX (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £98.99 (£86.08)
OCZ Platinum AM3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C7 1333MHz Dual Channel (OCZ3P1333LVAM4GK) £47.99 (£41.73)
Sub Total : £219.11
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £9.50
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £34.29
Total : £262.90

 

[grumpybeard]

Thanks for the reply 95thrifles.

I dont mind whether I go the Intel or AMD route.

GPU I was looking at was a Gigabyte GV-N98TSL-1GI Fanless 9800GT 1GB GDDR3 PCI-E, but if anyone has any ideas for silent newer card much appreciated.

 

[grumpybeard]

Guys,

If I decide "hell to it" and go all out, building a HTPC as per mentioned spec but use this as games machine too, is there any chance I can get a higher spec graphics card like 290/295 GTX cool and very quiet on air, or will I have to go watercooled?

Quiet as in PS3 quiet, which I find bearable whilst watching blurays.

Cheers,
JP.