Looking to build first HTPC - any input appreciated

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inflikt Offline
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Posts: 2
Joined: Jun 2012
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Post: #1
Hey all, as the title states im looking to build a HTPC for my 1080p content. Plan on running XBMCbuntu. Ive gone intel cause i feel its stronger and with the GPU i should avoid the stuttering problems that i heard occur with the i3's. The media will be stored on the HDDs until i commit to building a seperate media server. Its alot higher specced than most i see so please let me know if you think its overkill.

BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Case Black $99.00
ASUS P8H77-I Mini ITX Motherboard $129.00
Intel Core i3 2120 $127.00
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler $39.00
G.Skill Ares F3-1600C9D-8GAO 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 $65.00
Silverstone Strider 500W ST50F-ES $65.00
GTX460 [HAVE ALREADY] $0.00
Intel 330 Series 60GB SSD $95.00
Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 2TB 7200RPM x 2 (@ 139 each) $278.00

TOTAL COST $937.00

(Prices from pccasegear.com since i am from Australia.)

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers.
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poofyhairguy Offline
Resident Hardware Guru
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Post: #2
Only recommendation I can make offhand is get the modular version of that PSU:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4908/silve...ular-power

Or better yet get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817703035

Seasonic makes those and they are probably my favorite cheap modular PSU. The higher efficiency would be welcome for the same price after rebate.

Mini/Micro ITX Frontend (with SSD) + Mediaserver/NAS + Logitech Harmony + LCD/LED/Plasma TV + Nice AV Receiver + XBMC + USENET + sabnzbd + sickbeard +couchpotato

My Setup--HTPC Building Guide- Start Here--Advice on Hard Drives and SSDs--Mediaserver Guide--Harmony Guide
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Jetster Offline
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Location: Oregon
Post: #3
The Hyper 212 EVO is not needed, stock will do. The EVO is actually louder that stock at full speed its also louder than the 212+. But you could turn it down if your going to overclock but you really don't need to And you really only need 4 gb of ram. Ive also seen way better deals on the SSD and you could get by with a 32 Gb SSD
(This post was last modified: 2012-06-16 09:57 by Jetster.)
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poofyhairguy Offline
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Posts: 2,954
Joined: Apr 2010
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Post: #4
Actually that SSD is on sale, $50 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820167120

Mini/Micro ITX Frontend (with SSD) + Mediaserver/NAS + Logitech Harmony + LCD/LED/Plasma TV + Nice AV Receiver + XBMC + USENET + sabnzbd + sickbeard +couchpotato

My Setup--HTPC Building Guide- Start Here--Advice on Hard Drives and SSDs--Mediaserver Guide--Harmony Guide
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inflikt Offline
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Posts: 2
Joined: Jun 2012
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Post: #5
As mentioned im in Australia so cant order from newegg.com unfortunately. The 500watt i listed is fairly short so i can avoid any problems with it in the prodigy. Ill drop the cooler if the stock is fairly decent and drop RAM to 4gb.

Cheers for your input so far.
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