Thinking about upgrading my main HTPC box, any suggestions.
#1
Here is my original build:
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=99831

I'm thinking about a refresh, mainly motherboard, processor and PSU. My windows install is having issues and if I'm going to reinstall I would like to do it on newer equipment.

I've already got an upgraded graphics card in there and a larger SSD. The case is fine too.

I'm currently running a 7780 graphics card and two Satellite TV PCI cards.

My motherboard and cpu is currently:
ASRock H55M-LE LGA-1156 Micro-ATX Motherboard
Intel Core I3-540 3.06GHz LGA-1156 Dual-Core 73W CPU

The PSU is:
Antec EarthWatts 380W 80%+ Efficiency PSU

I want at least the same amount of grunt but with less power consumption.
What would be the recommendation for replacing these?
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#2
If you want to go with something similar but new:

ASRock H97M Pro4 micro-ATX motherboard
Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz LGA1150 dual-core 54W CPU

though with the GPU already in there, you probably don't really need an i3 since you don't seem to be gaming. In the LGA1156 days there was only one Pentium and it was overpriced and lousy. Times have changed quite a bit though so check out this one:

Intel Pentium G3258 Haswell Dual-Core 3.2GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor BX80646G3258
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#3
Apologies for that I forgot to say that I do use for gaming now.

So the:
ASRock H97M Pro4 micro-ATX motherboard
Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz LGA1150 dual-core 54W CPU

Will be just as powerful but more efficient then?

Does pentium mean just 32bit?
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#4
So would you say I don't need a PSU?
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#5
(2014-10-16, 09:19)T800 Wrote: Apologies for that I forgot to say that I do use for gaming now.

So the:
ASRock H97M Pro4 micro-ATX motherboard
Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz LGA1150 dual-core 54W CPU

Will be just as powerful but more efficient then?

Does pentium mean just 32bit?

Celeron and Pentium is just brand names. All the Intel processors are 64-bit. Depending on the gaming you do, you might even want to consider the i5-4460. The new processors are way more powerful and use less power.

If you 380W PSU is ok now with the i3-540 and 7780 GPU, it'll be just fine with the Haswell i3 or i5. They are very efficient CPUs.

FWIW, I just build a i7-4790K system for someone and with 4C + 4T maxed at 100% the whole system used under 150W. It had 16GB RAM, 300W PSU and 2 SSDs.
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#6
The i5 is a little bit too expensive right now. I've ordered the i3 and the AsRock. Thanks for the input.
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#7
It's no A6-PACK but it'll rock for sure Smile
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Thinking about upgrading my main HTPC box, any suggestions.0