Will this build work?

JobbyRatch

JobbyRatch

JobbyRatch

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Joined
12 Feb 2012
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13
Location
Stoke
Hello folks,

Thanks for your advice.

First build. Slight know how on computer building from back in my college day's but it's way in the back of my head now so could do with some advice. Anyhow, looking to build a HTPC mainly for HD streaming and Blu-Ray downloads along with the usual internet browsing etc

I've got the case it's a Fractal Design Mini Array R2 which is accepts a mini ITX motherboard and comes with built in 300w PSU.

So I've been looking at a few and then a few more and I think I've found one I like that fit's the bill. It's the FUSION350-A-E ZOTAC FUSION350-A-E. This comes with intergrated CPU and passive cooling. Is this passive cooling enough? Space will be limited in the case you see. I presume this CPU is good enough for HD vieweing without an extra graphics card.

Planning on using Corsair CMX4GX3M1A1333C9 XMS3 4GB RAM which will be good enough to run Windows 7 64bit.

Not sure on the HDD yet whatever 1TB I can get cheapest by a reliable brand.

So my queston is will this go together fine? Do I need more any extra cooling? Would you recommend a better motherboard/cpu or will this do the job?

Cheers again and thanks for your time!

Chris
 
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If I remember correctly the R2 has a 120mm (or was it 140mm) fan in the front so you will be fine. I am cooling my E450M1-I Deluxe with only a 40mm fan and that has a higher clock speed so you will be ok.

Totally passive may work but I would be careful and run some prime95 tests with a temp monitor running just to double check worst case scenario.
 
Cheers, gropingmantis.

Yeah the R2 has a 140mm fan at front but I'll run some tests once together to be on safe side.

Before I make the plunge, the Zotac FUSION350-A-E Motherboard is a good all rounder then for my first build? Going to cost in the region of £110 could I do better or not?

Once I've got my head around the motherboard can get it ordered!

Cheers!
 
For do you need wifi? If not get the Gigabyte/Msi as they are cheaper. If so you can spend £15 more and get the Asus which is really good.

I am not a huge Zotac fan because of issues with QC on some of their other ITX boards, so I tend to stay away.
 
Wifi is a must. I don't mind spending a little extra for the ASUS. Does this come with built in CPU and cooling system? If you could provide full model name or a link to it on overclockers if it's available and I'll take a look.

Cheers!
 
Decided to stump for the Asus E45M1-I DELUXE looks a gem and worth the extra coin for the ASUS name alone. Plus if I'm right doesn't this come with 1.4 hdmi which is always nice to have.

Will this RAM be okay? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-299-CS Might get the low profile version be on safe side.

Seems a good price. I presume so long as the RAM is 240pin it'll fit?

Just need to sort out a hard drive and I'll get it all ordered!

Cheers for advice guys.
 
Hello there,

Thanks for your time.

So I went ahead with the build. Components are Asus E45M1-I DELUXE, Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 4GB, 2TB WD Black Caviar and running Windows 7.

Literally put it together today. Checked the CPU temprature in the bios and it's reading 52celsius while idle? Surely this cannot be normal?

The case comes with a built in 140mm fan, the PSU's fan is directly above the motherboard and the motherboard comes with a build in passive cooling system. The bios does not detect the cooling system though. Under CPU fan it say's N/A. I don't know much about passive cooling systems and can't really tell whether it's working or it isn't.

Am I to be worried about those tempratures and is there anyway to see if the passive cooling system is working?

Cheers guys!

Chris
 
52C is not too bad. With one 40mm fan in my wesena I tend to hit around 60C when in use. You will get higher temps than normal but 52C is well within reasonable limits. I haven't checked the spec sheet but most CPUs will go to 90-100C before being damaged.

Edit: just checked and 90C is the max temp.
 
Am I to be worried about those tempratures and is there anyway to see if the passive cooling system is working?
Click to expand...

Well if it wasn't working I imagine it'd be a lot hotter, 52c isn't too much to worry about really if the max temp is 90c.

You could buy a 140mm fractal fan to waft some air over it, they are about 9dBa so nice and quiet, but obviously this depends on the space you have
 
Cheers for the info gents.

As I said I don't know much about a passive heatsink. Does it just screw/clip ontop of the CPU and it does it's own thing? ie it's not attached to the motherboard for power? Basically I'm asking if there is anything I can do to see if it's attached correctly etc?

I have around 40-50mm gap between the top of the heatsink and the CPU fan so there is enough room to mount another fan ontop of the heatsink if things get worse.
 
You do need to accept much higher temps for ITX.

Mines not passive but it's a very cramped gaming build and 80 degrees on both CPU and GPU while gaming is normal with about 40-50 idle.

It was going up to over 90 on the gpu under load before I rigged a different way of cooling it :o

Check what temperature it will go up to under load, if that's too high then adjust the cooling.
 
Back again!

Don't know if any of you guy's can ansewer this for me.

The computer was originally connected via HDMI into one of my TV HDMI ports. I've now connected the computer to my AV receiver via HDMI as it will carry both picture and 7.1 sound and my resolutions are now all messed up. Picture was fine going directly into TV but now going via receiver it's way to big. I can't see any of the right side or bottom of the screen? Even adjusting resolution doesn't help.

Are PC's meant to be connected to AV receivers or should I be using HDMI for picture direct to TV and optical from PC to AV Receiver?

Cheers folks any help appreciated!
 
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