HTPC Build

Hi, I am selling off my current HTPC box and building a new one..

Here is what I have picked out How does this look?
Case - APEX MI-100 - $55
CPU - Pentium-G620 - $74
MOBO - Asrock H67M-ITX/HT - $150
GPU - ZOTAC ZT-40603-10L GeForce GT 430 Low Profile - $60 (and $30 MIR)
Fan - Noctua NF-P12-1300 120MM - $25
Ram - G.SKILL Value Series 4GB 1333 - $20
SDD - OCZ Vertex 30GB - $61 (and $15 MIR)
= $445 + Tax and shipping = $536 - $45 MIR = $491


What I want to be able to do is watch 1080p. Don't really care (presently) about streaming from hulu/netflix since I am in canada and we don't get that. Will most likely use the xbmc live or ubuntu. (May run windows 7 in future)
Is the G620 good or would switching to the G840 be worth the extra $25. I don't mind upgrading to the G840 (or heck even the i3) if it will clearly make xbmc run better, but if there is zero difference, then no point.

Motherboard seems a bit overkill but I really love the internal WiFi and IR..
I think I will probably swap out the motherboard for GIGABYTE GA-H61N-USB3 to save $80 since I can live with a wired connection, and have a ISB IR Receiver anyways..
So will everything I picked fit in the case ok? And how does this build look? Although this build is getting fairly expensive and wouldn't mind something cheaper...
If I switch the motherboard comes to $412 after shipping and MIR

for htpc, you're probably not going to see very much different between g620 and g840.

you'll get better performance with gt430 than gt210.

a lot of htpc users stay away from ocz ssd, and this one might be a better choice- Corsair Force CSSD-F40GB2-A 2.5" 40GB

ok cool thanks for the info. Not sure if I will swap out the SSD or not... extra $35... although guess also get extra 10 gigs to.. I have been running an OCZ ssd in my desktop computer for 8 months and no problem.. but ill do some research on it.. one I linked has 550 reviews with 4 star average.

bluray Wrote:for htpc, you're probably not going to see very much different between g620 and g840.

just a little, G840 only $10 more anyways

bluray Wrote:you'll get better performance with gt430 than gt210.

your PC wont feel faster

bluray Wrote:a lot of htpc users stay away from ocz ssd

+1

bluray Wrote:this one might be a better choice- Corsair Force CSSD-F40GB2-A 2.5" 40GB

+1

eskro Wrote:just a little, G840 only $10 more anyways

in htpc usage, i'm not sure you can see any ui improvement w/ extra 200MHz.

eskro Wrote:your PC wont feel faster

well, better gpu is not necessary make your pc faster, but it will give you smoother playback experience!

You might wanna check out the Rosewill equivalent case too; has gotten better reviews than the Apex.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6811147131

Do you think you'd have room for a 2.5" SSD + 3.5" HDD?

Just curious, because I have a very similar 'portable' XBMC HTPC like this in mind for a winter project. I'd be more inclined for this route over an ION1/2 solution as well.

thethirdnut Wrote:You might wanna check out the Rosewill equivalent case too; has gotten better reviews than the Apex.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6811147131

Do you think you'd have room for a 2.5" SSD + 3.5" HDD?

Just curious, because I have a very similar 'portable' XBMC HTPC like this in mind for a winter project. I'd be more inclined for this route over an ION1/2 solution as well.

if you are concern about review, this APEX MI-008 has better reviews than both cases that are listed here. even though the case is very small, it still have enough room for both 2.5" ssd and 3.5" hdd and full side bd-rom too.

Never mind. See the expansion slot now - hope it works for you.

Lemme know how it goes - might follow with a similar build.

APEX MI-008 and APEX MI-100 are exactly the same as you know,,,

APEX MI-100 has a mirror finish all around + more ventilation holes which is a good thing

I am only going with a 2.5" ssd. I don't need a HDD, I am grabbing all the content off my NAS box.