Critique this htpc build please!

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Critique this htpc build please!

Asmodeus

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#71367 9-Nov-2010 14:59

Trying to keep it to under $1000 and am pretty close.

Any suggestions, comments?

gehenna

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#402133 9-Nov-2010 15:00

Seems a little light on specs.

michaelmurfy

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#402142 9-Nov-2010 15:12

Well you can cut out $146.38 by using Linux instead of Windows.
You know you want to...

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Dreamy

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#402146 9-Nov-2010 15:18

is that a 300w power supply with the case? i'm not sure what the draw would be of the components, but that seems on the low side.

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#402151 9-Nov-2010 15:27

Dedicated video or onboard ?

Another $30 gets you a Samsung 1TB from Playtech atm instead of the 160GB.

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#402153 9-Nov-2010 15:29

Also, $13 for a MS Wireless Laser set ? I dont think so.... look at PriceSpys listings for it, 2 shops at around $20 then all others @ $100+. Id say for $13 youre jsut getting a replacement part.......

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Jaxson

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#402159 9-Nov-2010 15:41

And regardless of the $1000 limit, go for a bluray drive instead?
(I don't know how much more, but for a new build I would)

Kraven

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#402171 9-Nov-2010 15:52

The Core i3 should be fine, I have no issues with Freeview HD or Bluray playback on mine.

Are you going to add a tuner?

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richms

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#402213 9-Nov-2010 16:24

Wise move on the 2 drives, the greens are junk for the OS drive.

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vinnieg

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#402220 9-Nov-2010 16:29

Build looks good, but why are you going for a 2.5" 160GB drive? Why not fullsize for cheaper?

Or you could get two 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda drives for $38 more :)

Believe me, the WD Green Power drives start off good, but end up slowing down more and more. Mine is almost full now and is soo slow :(
I bought mine originally for the power saving, but now I wish I hadn't

- Just re editing @Richms = fully agree! They are terrible for system drives and even slow down as a secondary drive

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#402226 9-Nov-2010 16:37

richms: Wise move on the 2 drives, the greens are junk for the OS drive.

+1 +1

have to agree here, except i would change that to read "the greens are junk". i had 2 wd greens earlier this year, and they both died within a couple of months. i have 2 seagate barracudas 1.5 tb each now, which work great.

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Snowflake

#402244 9-Nov-2010 17:06

vinnieg: Build looks good, but why are you going for a 2.5" 160GB drive? Why not fullsize for cheaper?

Or you could get two 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda drives for $38 more :)

i suspect that the keyword ITX in the original quote means that there probably isnt room in the chassis for two full size disks.

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Asmodeus

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#402246 9-Nov-2010 17:12

Cheers for the replies. I couldnt see how to multiquote posts so I'll just answer them sequentially

Linux. This build is not for me, it's for a friend and he's notthe most tech savvy. He also specified 7MC so thats the one Im going for

Yes thats a 300W PSU with the case. Should be plenty for this build

Thinking will go with onboard video (as long as it will cut it but Im sure it will).

Looks like you are right about that wireless keyboard set, I'll change that for another cheapy

My mnate said he didn't care about Blu ray so at the moment I've just included a dvd drive. Had to be slim line so that doubled the price...

Yes Im happy with the core i3. Not sure about tuners yet. Its for a friend who will be living in Cairo next year. God knows what the tv situation is there...

The reason I went for a 2.5" for the OS was just noise and because this case only has 1x 2.5" internal and 1x 3.5" internal bays so no choice really...

Does anyone know if there will be an issue with this PSU in Cairo? I assume they run on 110-240v?

PANiCnz

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#404205 13-Nov-2010 12:32

If your using Windows the i3 GPU will be fine, however if you ever move to linux (XBMC live cd for example) you'll need a Nvidia GPU.

The 300w PSU will be fine, especially without a discrete GPU. If your only going to install the OS and software on the 2.5" drive I would consider a small SSD. I know with XBMC its makes a big difference to the snappyness of the menu's etc.