2011-01-13, 19:37
** wait for the PC CASE... im creating a list of nice ones as we speak
2011-01-13, 19:44
Have a Look at these Cases!!
--> Athena Power 400W ($50+$15) http://goo.gl/4J7cp
--> Athena Power 470W ($75+$13) http://goo.gl/W6gA
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/3aVAS
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
--> Athena Power 400W ($50+$15) http://goo.gl/4J7cp
--> Athena Power 470W ($75+$13) http://goo.gl/W6gA
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/3aVAS
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
2011-01-13, 19:45
eskro Wrote:Because you chose a Antec NSK2480 Case ($117.99 + $14.99)....
you might wanna consider these...
--> Athena Power 400W ($50+$15) http://goo.gl/4J7cp
--> Athena Power 470W ($75+$13) http://goo.gl/W6gA
--> APEVIA X-QPACK 420W ($80+$15) http://goo.gl/ZIcbs
--> APEVIA X-QPACK 420W ($80+$15) http://goo.gl/kJuqB
--> APEVIA X-QPACK 420W ($80+$15) http://goo.gl/bNrUh
--> APEVIA X-QPACK 420W ($80+$15) http://goo.gl/3USM
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/3aVAS
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
No need to consider those... the case includes Antec EarthWatts PSU
2011-01-13, 19:47
eskro Wrote:Have a Look at these Cases!!
--> Athena Power 400W ($50+$15) http://goo.gl/4J7cp
--> Athena Power 470W ($75+$13) http://goo.gl/W6gA
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/3aVAS
--> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
Thanks for the suggestions. That case is the one item I am definitely going to stick with (along with the GT430).
I love Antec cases and it will look great in my current setup. I know there are much cheaper options available, but Antec has great build quality and also includes an awesome PSU!
If I was looking for a HTPC PSU I would consider the Antec EarthWatts one of the best options... so I am glad it is included in the case I chose!
2011-01-13, 19:51
i think you should reconsider.....
at least look at this one,
my choice --> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
** Saves you $33
** 500W PSU (yours is 380W)
** front LCD display (yours doesnt have it)
** 1 x 80mm UV Blue Front Fan
** 1 x 120mm UV Blue Rear Fan
and then, with the saved $33, get yourself the AMD QUAD-CORE
at least look at this one,
my choice --> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
** Saves you $33
** 500W PSU (yours is 380W)
** front LCD display (yours doesnt have it)
** 1 x 80mm UV Blue Front Fan
** 1 x 120mm UV Blue Rear Fan
and then, with the saved $33, get yourself the AMD QUAD-CORE
2011-01-13, 19:56
The HTPC cases from Karma is what you could call a "nice" cabinet..
2011-01-13, 19:57
i think you should reconsider.....
at least look at this one,
my choice --> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
** Saves you $33 (antec costs $133)
** 500W PSU (yours is 380W)
** front LCD display (yours doesnt have it)
** 1 x 80mm UV Blue Front Fan
** 1 x 120mm UV Blue Rear Fan
and then, with the saved $33, get yourself the AMD QUAD-CORE
at least look at this one,
my choice --> APEVIA X-QPACK2 500W ($85+$15) http://goo.gl/vL2G5
** Saves you $33 (antec costs $133)
** 500W PSU (yours is 380W)
** front LCD display (yours doesnt have it)
** 1 x 80mm UV Blue Front Fan
** 1 x 120mm UV Blue Rear Fan
and then, with the saved $33, get yourself the AMD QUAD-CORE
2011-01-13, 20:00
I have taken a look at all the options you posted! It would be rude to blow them off completely after all of your help... but I am happy with the Antec.
The $33 savings is not worth the design change to me. The Antec has a nice silver finish to fit with my HT, and the dimensions will fit nicely on my current setup. I do not have a want/need for the front LCD display (I assume I can check the stats of XBMC Live using an Ubuntu utility like Im-Sensors or similar -- not sure if XBMC has a nice plug-in utility for hardware monitoring via the GUI).
I also do not care for the blue LED lighting (I know I can just not provide them with power). Finally, and most importantly I feel like Apevia PSUs are complete garbage! The Antec EarthWatts may "only" be 380w... but I should not need much power to run a SSD and GT430. It is not like I will be running dual-GPUs and multiple spinning drives!
The $33 savings is not worth the design change to me. The Antec has a nice silver finish to fit with my HT, and the dimensions will fit nicely on my current setup. I do not have a want/need for the front LCD display (I assume I can check the stats of XBMC Live using an Ubuntu utility like Im-Sensors or similar -- not sure if XBMC has a nice plug-in utility for hardware monitoring via the GUI).
I also do not care for the blue LED lighting (I know I can just not provide them with power). Finally, and most importantly I feel like Apevia PSUs are complete garbage! The Antec EarthWatts may "only" be 380w... but I should not need much power to run a SSD and GT430. It is not like I will be running dual-GPUs and multiple spinning drives!
2011-01-13, 20:04
its your choice, its ok....
but they are not garbage PSU....
a reviewer said this
"I've been using this earlier version 24/7 for over three years without any problem what so ever. Mine is the 500 watt PS and it is supporting a quad-core cpu, dual HDs, DVD drive, multi memory drive, a host of USB devices, a couple of external drive enclosures and more."
but they are not garbage PSU....
a reviewer said this
"I've been using this earlier version 24/7 for over three years without any problem what so ever. Mine is the 500 watt PS and it is supporting a quad-core cpu, dual HDs, DVD drive, multi memory drive, a host of USB devices, a couple of external drive enclosures and more."
2011-01-13, 20:10
Finally, what would be the best option for SSD for my XBMC Live build. I know a 16Gb SSD is adequate and I will not be storing anything on the SSD besides the XBMC install.
I am looking for 16-32Gb. Good quality. Reasonable price!
The OCZ Vertex II SSDs are extremely nice quality but can be pricey.
I am looking for 16-32Gb. Good quality. Reasonable price!
The OCZ Vertex II SSDs are extremely nice quality but can be pricey.
2011-01-13, 20:18
well if you think 16GB is enough
[SSD] Kingston 2.5" 16GB SATAII ($60+FS) http://goo.gl/U1ABA
Sequential Access - Read up to 230MB/s
Sequential Access - Write up to 75MB/s
if not, get this 32GB one
[SSD] Corsair Nova 2.5" 32GB SATAII ($79+FS) http://goo.gl/STbH
Sequential Access - Read up to 195MB/s
Sequential Access - Write up to 70MB/s
but, you should consider the 32GB one....
someday, you might wanna install windows x64....
or in a near futur, windows x128
But seriously, its only $19 more
and you gain twice the capacity of the Kingston one,,,,
that would be a good investment!
[SSD] Kingston 2.5" 16GB SATAII ($60+FS) http://goo.gl/U1ABA
Sequential Access - Read up to 230MB/s
Sequential Access - Write up to 75MB/s
if not, get this 32GB one
[SSD] Corsair Nova 2.5" 32GB SATAII ($79+FS) http://goo.gl/STbH
Sequential Access - Read up to 195MB/s
Sequential Access - Write up to 70MB/s
but, you should consider the 32GB one....
someday, you might wanna install windows x64....
or in a near futur, windows x128
But seriously, its only $19 more
and you gain twice the capacity of the Kingston one,,,,
that would be a good investment!
2011-01-13, 22:30
That is the exact SSD I have already selected and was in my cart. I was planning to get that, but hearing other recommendations for that SSD is positive reinforcement.
2011-01-13, 23:00
Hey bmcclure937, look at these 2
[CASE] nMEDIAPC HTPC 1000B Micro ATX ($70+$15) http://tinyurl.com/yjvcmmz
*** 2 x 60mm Fans
*** 1 x 90mm Fan
*** Front eSATA/USB/AUDIO/Card Reader/IEEE Ports
*** 1 x External 5.25" Drive Bay
*** 4 x Internal 3.5" Drive Bays
*** 4 Full Size Expansion Slots
[PSU] Antec NEO ECO 400W ($45+FS+$10 mail-in rebate) http://tinyurl.com/2utzt7h
*** 1 x 120mm Double ball bearing fan
*** 1 x +12V Rails
*** 5 x SATA Power Connector
*** 1 x 6-Pin PCI-Express Connector
*** Active PFC
Thats a crazy combo!!!
and it costs $130!!!
Like $3 less than yours!!!
And you only have FRONT USB/Audio ports....
No eSATA/Card Reader/IEEE ports!!!
You have 2 Internal Drive Bays instead of 4...
Its not as good looking either,,,,
and their the same size!!
If you want, later on, you can buy the LCD module display ($30) http://tinyurl.com/4gr5mvn
your complete custom build could be this!!
[SSD] Corsair Nova 2.5" 32GB SATAII ($79+FS) http://goo.gl/STbH
[MOBO] GIGABYTE AM3 Micro ATX ($65+$8) http://goo.gl/WoneH
[RAM] Kingston HyperX 2x2GB DDR3 1333Mhz CL7 ($62+FS) http://tinyurl.com/4v2syux
[CPU] AMD Athlon II X4 3.0GHz AM3 95W ($100+FS) http://fwd4.me/tkV
[GPU] ASUS GT430 1GB 128-bit DDR3 ($70+FS) http://tinyurl.com/4gu7ojs
[CASE] nMEDIAPC HTPC 1000B Micro ATX ($70+$15) http://tinyurl.com/yjvcmmz
[PSU] Antec NEO ECO 400W ($45+FS) http://tinyurl.com/2utzt7h
and cost ya:
$491 + $23 Shipping
minus $10 mail-in rebate (MOBO)
minus $15 mail-in rebate (RAM)
minus $10 mail-in rebate (GPU)
minus $10 mail-in rebate (PSU)
FINAL TOTAL ---------------------------------> ~ $469!!!!!!!
And everybody will say --> Wish i had bought the same HTPC as you... i got ripped off !!!
[CASE] nMEDIAPC HTPC 1000B Micro ATX ($70+$15) http://tinyurl.com/yjvcmmz
*** 2 x 60mm Fans
*** 1 x 90mm Fan
*** Front eSATA/USB/AUDIO/Card Reader/IEEE Ports
*** 1 x External 5.25" Drive Bay
*** 4 x Internal 3.5" Drive Bays
*** 4 Full Size Expansion Slots
[PSU] Antec NEO ECO 400W ($45+FS+$10 mail-in rebate) http://tinyurl.com/2utzt7h
*** 1 x 120mm Double ball bearing fan
*** 1 x +12V Rails
*** 5 x SATA Power Connector
*** 1 x 6-Pin PCI-Express Connector
*** Active PFC
Thats a crazy combo!!!
and it costs $130!!!
Like $3 less than yours!!!
And you only have FRONT USB/Audio ports....
No eSATA/Card Reader/IEEE ports!!!
You have 2 Internal Drive Bays instead of 4...
Its not as good looking either,,,,
and their the same size!!
If you want, later on, you can buy the LCD module display ($30) http://tinyurl.com/4gr5mvn
your complete custom build could be this!!
[SSD] Corsair Nova 2.5" 32GB SATAII ($79+FS) http://goo.gl/STbH
[MOBO] GIGABYTE AM3 Micro ATX ($65+$8) http://goo.gl/WoneH
[RAM] Kingston HyperX 2x2GB DDR3 1333Mhz CL7 ($62+FS) http://tinyurl.com/4v2syux
[CPU] AMD Athlon II X4 3.0GHz AM3 95W ($100+FS) http://fwd4.me/tkV
[GPU] ASUS GT430 1GB 128-bit DDR3 ($70+FS) http://tinyurl.com/4gu7ojs
[CASE] nMEDIAPC HTPC 1000B Micro ATX ($70+$15) http://tinyurl.com/yjvcmmz
[PSU] Antec NEO ECO 400W ($45+FS) http://tinyurl.com/2utzt7h
and cost ya:
$491 + $23 Shipping
minus $10 mail-in rebate (MOBO)
minus $15 mail-in rebate (RAM)
minus $10 mail-in rebate (GPU)
minus $10 mail-in rebate (PSU)
FINAL TOTAL ---------------------------------> ~ $469!!!!!!!
And everybody will say --> Wish i had bought the same HTPC as you... i got ripped off !!!
2011-01-14, 07:07
I am going to stick with the Gigabyte MOBO, AMD X4, G.Skill Ripjaws RAM, GT430, and Antec Case (including PSU)...
I currently have everything ready to buy... including Corsair SSD but I just came across a HOT deal on a Kingston SSD. My current build cost is about $465.
The Kingston SSDNow V Series is on a SlickDeal at Amazon... it costs $59 AR with FS.
*EDIT*: I may simply wait until later to get a SSD because the current SSD models will be going on insane deals as the new ones come out. I have a spare laptop 2.5" drive I can use for now!
I currently have everything ready to buy... including Corsair SSD but I just came across a HOT deal on a Kingston SSD. My current build cost is about $465.
The Kingston SSDNow V Series is on a SlickDeal at Amazon... it costs $59 AR with FS.
*EDIT*: I may simply wait until later to get a SSD because the current SSD models will be going on insane deals as the new ones come out. I have a spare laptop 2.5" drive I can use for now!
2011-01-14, 07:44
My final build includes the following:
[CPU] AMD Athlon II X4 3.0GHz AM3 95W ($100+FS) http://fwd4.me/tkV
[MOBO] GIGABYTE AM3 Micro ATX ($65+$8) http://goo.gl/Won
[RAM] G.SKILL RIPJAW SERIES (2x2GB) ($55+FS) http://goo.gl/5ZpOR
[GPU] ASUS GT430 1GB 128-bit DDR3 ($70+FS) http://tinyurl.com/4gu7ojs
[CASE] Antec NSK2480 ($118 FS) http://goo.gl/BkHxX
[PSU] Antec EarthWatts 380w (included with case)
Future Purchases:
[SSD] I know it is highly recommended to use a SSD. I had one ready to purchase but then realized I had 2 spare 2.5" drives sitting here. I might as well put one to good use until SSDs drop in price in the coming months. There will be tons of deals as the newer SSD technology is announced!
[HP IR Receiver] Sooner than later! I will not have a way to easily control my HTPC until I purchase the IR Receiver. This will be purchased much sooner than a SSD.
[Logitech Harmony Remote] I need to choose a model... but I am going to purchase a Logitech Harmony to make things easy! I am hoping for seamless integration with my XBMC Live box. I have always had a hard time navigating with a keyboard in XBMC anyhow!
[CPU Cooler] If I am not satisfied with the stock CPU heatsink/fan then I will purchase a third-party cooler!
Thank You to everyone for their help! I am going to place my order soon... so if you have any last words regarding my hardware choices speak them now!
[CPU] AMD Athlon II X4 3.0GHz AM3 95W ($100+FS) http://fwd4.me/tkV
[MOBO] GIGABYTE AM3 Micro ATX ($65+$8) http://goo.gl/Won
[RAM] G.SKILL RIPJAW SERIES (2x2GB) ($55+FS) http://goo.gl/5ZpOR
[GPU] ASUS GT430 1GB 128-bit DDR3 ($70+FS) http://tinyurl.com/4gu7ojs
[CASE] Antec NSK2480 ($118 FS) http://goo.gl/BkHxX
[PSU] Antec EarthWatts 380w (included with case)
Future Purchases:
[SSD] I know it is highly recommended to use a SSD. I had one ready to purchase but then realized I had 2 spare 2.5" drives sitting here. I might as well put one to good use until SSDs drop in price in the coming months. There will be tons of deals as the newer SSD technology is announced!
[HP IR Receiver] Sooner than later! I will not have a way to easily control my HTPC until I purchase the IR Receiver. This will be purchased much sooner than a SSD.
[Logitech Harmony Remote] I need to choose a model... but I am going to purchase a Logitech Harmony to make things easy! I am hoping for seamless integration with my XBMC Live box. I have always had a hard time navigating with a keyboard in XBMC anyhow!
[CPU Cooler] If I am not satisfied with the stock CPU heatsink/fan then I will purchase a third-party cooler!
Thank You to everyone for their help! I am going to place my order soon... so if you have any last words regarding my hardware choices speak them now!
