Yet another HTPC thread ...
#1
Hello, I'd like to build myself an HTPC running Win 7 with Daniela's version of HD audio, and going by the various threads in this forum (thanks for all the time invested by all) I think I have somewhat of an idea of what I want but still have questions and need help.

I would prefer to get everything from Amazon as I won't pay tax and have Prime.

- For the case I can't decide between the SilverStone Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case ML03B or the SilverStone Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case GD05B
Is one much better than the other? It looks like neither has front USB 3.0, would that be a problem?
Also looks like the GD05B comes with 3 fans already but are they silent enough not to be replaced?

- For the cpu I'm thinking AMD A8-3850 APU Quad-Core Processor unless you have a better idea...
Would it be overkill for Videos and a bit of Emulators gaming? It's just a few more bucks than the AMD A6-3500 or AMD A6-3650 so...

- Not sure what kind of CPU Cooler I should get.

- For the mobo, I need help too.

- For the SSD drive I'll get the Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s

- For the PSU, I need help depending on which case I get.

- For RAM I was thinking Kingston Hyper X Plug n Play 4 GB (2x2GB Modules) 1866MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 Desktop Memory

- For the Bluray drive LG UH12LS28K LightScribe 12x SATA Blu-Ray Combo Internal Drive

- For keyboard
Perixx PERIPAD-701, Wireless Touchpad with Backlit Keyboard

I don't think I forgot anything Big Grin

Thanks!

Box 1: ODroid N2+ 4GB
Box 2: Intel NUC D34010WYK (Windows afedchin's Krypton MVC Build)
Box 3: Vero 4K
RIP schimi2k | I miss you buddy :(
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#2
People seem to like this cooler for the HTPC style cases.

That keyboard/touchpad thing looks neat. I hope you report back after using it for awhile. Looks intriguing.
Quick Links: debug log (wiki) | userdata (wiki) | advancedsettings (wiki) | adding videos to the library (wiki)
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#3
http://assassinhtpcblog.com/?page_id=160
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#4
That keypad looks ahead of its time, and may suffer from fat-fingering.
Plus, the manufacturer seems to be unknown,..and the directions that come with it, sparse.

As for everything else,..it appears that you've done some research and are close to pushing the purchase button.
I'd go with the ML03B. I'm extremely satisfied with mine.
If you do go with the A8,..definitely buy the Shuriken CPU cooler.
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#5
The ML03B has front USB 3.0.
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#6
(2012-08-05, 13:09)jaochoo Wrote: The ML03B has front USB 3.0.
Both Silverstone ML03B and GD05B included front USB 3.0 ports......

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V (it'll allow you to enjoy front USB 3.0 ports)
CPU cooler- Scythe SCBSK-2100
PSU- SeaSonic SS-300ET

If you want the silencer case fans, these "SilenX EFX-12-12 120mm Case Fan and SilenX EFX-08-12 80mm" should be very silent....

>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#7
(2012-08-05, 18:12)bluray Wrote:
(2012-08-05, 13:09)jaochoo Wrote: The ML03B has front USB 3.0.
Both Silverstone ML03B and GD05B included front USB 3.0 ports......

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V (it'll allow you to enjoy front USB 3.0 ports)
CPU cooler- Scythe SCBSK-2100
PSU- SeaSonic SS-300ET

If you want the silencer case fans, these "SilenX EFX-12-12 120mm Case Fan and SilenX EFX-08-12 80mm" should be very silent....

There are actually 2 GD05B versions --- one without USB3.0 and one with USB3.0.

Models SST-GD05B(Black) and SST-GD05B-USB3.0(Black), respectively.

And I would recommend first modding the stock fans to 5V before spending any potentially unnecessary money on additional unneeded fans.
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#8
I have both cases but settled on the GD05 in the end. A few points to note on each case.......

ML03 - Takes an ATX PSU, I recommend the Silverstone. strider 400watt which is a good fit and has a downward facing, silent fan which is needed to align with the base air vent in the case. Other PSU's will fit as long as they are no longer than 140mm, this is because the PSU is directly behind where the BD drive is located and is a tight fit. This case will only take half height expansion cards and is limited on CPU cooler height.

GD05 - This case is taller than the ML03 and takes full height expansion cards however the CPU cooler height is restricted by the position of the BD drive. The PSU above is a good option in this case too. The 3 supplied fans are noisy at full speed but mine have the 5volt mod and they are now silent.

Both cases are well built but the ML03 has a plastic facia whereas the GD05 has an aluminium facia plus it has more expansion potential than the ML03.

David
HTPC1: Intel Pentium G620, 4GB RAM, AMD HD6570, Samsung 830 SSD, Silverstone GD05 case.
HTPC2: AMD Athlon II X2 255, 4GB RAM, AMD HD5450, Western Digital HDD, Silverstone ML03 case.
HTPC3: AMD E350, 4GB RAM, AMD HD6310, OCZ Agility 3 SSD, Akasa Crypto case.
Media Server: i3-3220, 8gb RAM, WHS 2011, 8tb capacity, Fractal Design ARC Midi R2 case.
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#9
I always recommend to pick the largest case that is aesthetically pleasing in your home theater. Easier to cool, usually quieter, more expansion possibilities, etc. After a while the cuteness of a tiny little case wears off and you are stuck with the noise, heat and decreased expansion issues. If you need a tiny/smaller case for some reason then go for it. Otherwise bigger is better imo (obligatory "that's what she said" comment).
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#10
(2012-08-04, 22:11)thrak76 Wrote: People seem to like this cooler for the HTPC style cases.

That keyboard/touchpad thing looks neat. I hope you report back after using it for awhile. Looks intriguing.
Thanks for the rec on the cooler. I'll get this one.
And I'll definately report on the keyboard!


(2012-08-05, 18:12)bluray Wrote:
(2012-08-05, 13:09)jaochoo Wrote: The ML03B has front USB 3.0.
Both Silverstone ML03B and GD05B included front USB 3.0 ports......

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V (it'll allow you to enjoy front USB 3.0 ports)
CPU cooler- Scythe SCBSK-2100
PSU- SeaSonic SS-300ET

If you want the silencer case fans, these "SilenX EFX-12-12 120mm Case Fan and SilenX EFX-08-12 80mm" should be very silent....
Like I said I will buy from Amazon and not Newegg but anyway, looking at the mobo you posted it looks like it has only 2 memory slots and after reading about the Big Shuriken CPU cooler it seems it blocks atleast 1 slot of ram so I guess this one is a no go.



(2012-08-05, 18:47)assassin Wrote:
(2012-08-05, 18:12)bluray Wrote:
(2012-08-05, 13:09)jaochoo Wrote: The ML03B has front USB 3.0.
Both Silverstone ML03B and GD05B included front USB 3.0 ports......

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V (it'll allow you to enjoy front USB 3.0 ports)
CPU cooler- Scythe SCBSK-2100
PSU- SeaSonic SS-300ET

If you want the silencer case fans, these "SilenX EFX-12-12 120mm Case Fan and SilenX EFX-08-12 80mm" should be very silent....

There are actually 2 GD05B versions --- one without USB3.0 and one with USB3.0.

Models SST-GD05B(Black) and SST-GD05B-USB3.0(Black), respectively.

And I would recommend first modding the stock fans to 5V before spending any potentially unnecessary money on additional unneeded fans.
Looks like the USB 3.0 is not available on Amazon so 2.0 will do it for now, I can always mod it later.
Also I tried to look on Google for modding fans to 5v but nothing concrete came up.
Do you have a link you could share?
And thanks for your guide.
Box 1: ODroid N2+ 4GB
Box 2: Intel NUC D34010WYK (Windows afedchin's Krypton MVC Build)
Box 3: Vero 4K
RIP schimi2k | I miss you buddy :(
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#11
(2012-08-05, 20:48)DavidT99 Wrote: I have both cases but settled on the GD05 in the end. A few points to note on each case.......

ML03 - Takes an ATX PSU, I recommend the Silverstone. strider 400watt which is a good fit and has a downward facing, silent fan which is needed to align with the base air vent in the case. Other PSU's will fit as long as they are no longer than 140mm, this is because the PSU is directly behind where the BD drive is located and is a tight fit. This case will only take half height expansion cards and is limited on CPU cooler height.

GD05 - This case is taller than the ML03 and takes full height expansion cards however the CPU cooler height is restricted by the position of the BD drive. The PSU above is a good option in this case too. The 3 supplied fans are noisy at full speed but mine have the 5volt mod and they are now silent.

Both cases are well built but the ML03 has a plastic facia whereas the GD05 has an aluminium facia plus it has more expansion potential than the ML03.

David
I decided to go with the GD05 as well, as room is not an issue.
I also decided not to get a BD drive at this point. I'll install Win 7 from a USB drive.
For the PSU, I'll get the Antec EarthWatts EA-380D Green 380 Watt 80 PLUS BRONZE Power Supply. 380W is enough for XBMC and a bit of gaming, right?
And for the mobo I still can't find one. I've read somewhere in here that ASRock doesn't have front USB so that's a no go.
So should I go Asus or Gigabyte?
Thanks all for chiming in and for your time!


Box 1: ODroid N2+ 4GB
Box 2: Intel NUC D34010WYK (Windows afedchin's Krypton MVC Build)
Box 3: Vero 4K
RIP schimi2k | I miss you buddy :(
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#12
(2012-08-06, 11:25)ArieS Wrote:
(2012-08-04, 22:11)thrak76 Wrote: People seem to like this cooler for the HTPC style cases.

That keyboard/touchpad thing looks neat. I hope you report back after using it for awhile. Looks intriguing.
Thanks for the rec on the cooler. I'll get this one.
And I'll definately report on the keyboard!


(2012-08-05, 18:12)bluray Wrote:
(2012-08-05, 13:09)jaochoo Wrote: The ML03B has front USB 3.0.
Both Silverstone ML03B and GD05B included front USB 3.0 ports......

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V (it'll allow you to enjoy front USB 3.0 ports)
CPU cooler- Scythe SCBSK-2100
PSU- SeaSonic SS-300ET

If you want the silencer case fans, these "SilenX EFX-12-12 120mm Case Fan and SilenX EFX-08-12 80mm" should be very silent....
Like I said I will buy from Amazon and not Newegg but anyway, looking at the mobo you posted it looks like it has only 2 memory slots and after reading about the Big Shuriken CPU cooler it seems it blocks atleast 1 slot of ram so I guess this one is a no go.



(2012-08-05, 18:47)assassin Wrote:
(2012-08-05, 18:12)bluray Wrote: Both Silverstone ML03B and GD05B included front USB 3.0 ports......

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-A75M-S2V (it'll allow you to enjoy front USB 3.0 ports)
CPU cooler- Scythe SCBSK-2100
PSU- SeaSonic SS-300ET

If you want the silencer case fans, these "SilenX EFX-12-12 120mm Case Fan and SilenX EFX-08-12 80mm" should be very silent....

There are actually 2 GD05B versions --- one without USB3.0 and one with USB3.0.

Models SST-GD05B(Black) and SST-GD05B-USB3.0(Black), respectively.

And I would recommend first modding the stock fans to 5V before spending any potentially unnecessary money on additional unneeded fans.
Looks like the USB 3.0 is not available on Amazon so 2.0 will do it for now, I can always mod it later.
Also I tried to look on Google for modding fans to 5v but nothing concrete came up.
Do you have a link you could share?
And thanks for your guide.

It's in my faq.
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#13
Doh, thanks.
Box 1: ODroid N2+ 4GB
Box 2: Intel NUC D34010WYK (Windows afedchin's Krypton MVC Build)
Box 3: Vero 4K
RIP schimi2k | I miss you buddy :(
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#14
If you are willing to use newegg you can get some crazy deals. I just worked out the following build:

Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge (Refurbished) - $34.99
ASRock H61M/U3S3 MicroATX Motherboard (Open Box) - $48.99
MSI N430GT-MD1G/LP GeForce GT 430 Ready Low Profile Video Card - $26.99
PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 400W Modular 80+ Bronze Power Supply - $49.99
Silverstone ML03B HTPC Case - $49

Total cost is $209.96
Shipping is $11 for me and there is no sales tax except for California, New Jersey and Tennessee
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#15
I'd rather not buy open boxes or refurbished so I'll stick with Amazon.

I decided on my mobo : ASUS F1A75-V Pro
with Kingston Hyper X Plug n Play 4 GB Kit (2x2GB Modules)

That's it, I think I have it all!
Box 1: ODroid N2+ 4GB
Box 2: Intel NUC D34010WYK (Windows afedchin's Krypton MVC Build)
Box 3: Vero 4K
RIP schimi2k | I miss you buddy :(
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