HTPC - building a Media / Home Theatre PC

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:02 am

Due to getting some of my tax back recently, am building a HTPC. Have only really just started researching it. Will welcome any suggestions/criticisms on parts.

Requirements:
- MUST play 1080p movies no problem
- wont be used for gaming, just movies
- Quiet as possible, while trying to keep it budget as much as possible
- looking to spend between 400-500euro (the less the better, can maybe tweak the parts once have decided on some, to try make much cheaper)
- optical drive / wireless card / tuner etc not really needed (already have bluray player too)

Heres what Ive been looking at so far. Again, only started, so below is just a starting point, may change drastically lol Very Happy

CASE:
- looking for cases with good airflow and 120mm fans which should be quieter, but at same time conscious of size of case, as trying to keep small as can get with other components fitting okay of course.
SilverStone Case GD05B (Black) -> Here
Or may have to upgrade to something like below:
SilverStone Case GD06B -> Here

MOTHERBOARD:
- motherboard here prob be way too overkill but can downgrade if possible once further along with rest of parts.
ASUS P8H67-M EVO Micro ATX LGA 1155 -> Here

PROCESSOR:
- processor needs to have integrated graphics chip capable of 1080p playback and low heat output, so core i3 seems perfect. But may end up going with AMD processor to try save money.
Intel Core i3-2100 Processor 3.1GHz 3 MB Cache Socket LGA1155 -> Here

STORAGE:
- would like a 2TB drive, and one is loads to start out with, can add a 2nd if case allows at later stage, or just buy external one. No need for SSD either.
Seagate 2TB Barracuda Green SATA-600 64MB 5900RPM 3.5" -> Here

PSU:
Corsair 430 Watt CX430 V2 -> Here

Should be further along by tonight once get another chance to work on this, and make sure motherboard and case i pick fit okay and look at some PSUs and RAM etc. At moment i will probably be coming in a little over 500euro after getting PSU and RAM to go with above, but again I will be looking to downgrade above components where possible to save some money.

Appreciate any suggestions and feedback Wink

edit: added PSU

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:53 pm

i'd recommend going with a 7200 rpm hard drive, the 5900 ones have a bit of noticeable lag sometimes. eventhough on that site you linked the 7200 rpm model was 23 euros more, i hate that lag on the 5900s.

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 4:00 am

as i am kinda concerned about keeping noise to a minimal for this build, and as HDD performance should not be too much of a consideration when it comes to what I will be using for, I am leaning more to a lower rpm drive. Should also improve energy consumption and, some say, reliability. But havent made final decision on HDD yet. Still looking around and may well end up going with a 7200 one as am yet undecided.

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:39 am

bazzer101 wrote:

as i am kinda concerned about keeping noise to a minimal for this build, and as HDD performance should not be too much of a consideration when it comes to what I will be using for, I am leaning more to a lower rpm drive. Should also improve energy consumption and, some say, reliability. But havent made final decision on HDD yet. Still looking around and may well end up going with a 7200 one as am yet undecided.

Ive had bad luck with the WD Green drives, so i wouldnt recommend them.

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:03 am

cbilljones wrote:

Ive had bad luck with the WD Green drives, so i wouldnt recommend them.

Funnily enough have come across a few people saying this. I think will stick with seagate drive I have for moment anyways. Im finding that everyone seems to have differing opinions on reliability though(as with all products i guess), so Im trying to base my decision at moment on noise/cost/performance.

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:21 am

yah i had a western digital drive die on me after only 3 months recently. seagate seems to be higher quality.