Long time PC builder, first time HTPC builder (as well as a first time poster). ![Tongue]( "Tongue")
The Story
In my previous setup I had a Boxee Box + A media server that it streamed from. I left it behind for the folks to use and I'm going to be setting up a solution where I currently reside. Although the combo I had before worked well, I'm looking to get a bit more flexibility by setting up a HTPC.
What pushed me to the idea is that our cable connection here is only in one room (well, split from another room that has the cable modem). It leaves us with a TV to watch when guests are around, but when people are in their rooms, they don't have the capability to watch TV. We've gotten by on Netflix subscriptions, but not utilizing our TV package seems to be a waste. My thought is to have a HTPC that can act as a Slingbox, a DVR, runs 1080p playback, can serve 1080p video over the network, can stream 1080p video from other machines in the network, 3D capable Blu-Ray playback (not currently needed, but always good to plan for), and light gaming (with the ability to expand into more moderate gaming if needed).
I read the sticky, did some research, and the following is what I came up with:
Parts
Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MrN6
Case: Silverstone ML03B
CPU: Intel Core i3-3225
Mobo: ASUS P8H77-M CSM
PSU: Silverstone Strider Essential 400W
RAM: G.SKILL Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Primary HDD: Samsung 840/830 64GB OR Intel 520 60GB SSD
Secondary HDD: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5
Optical: LG Electronics Blu-ray Disc Combo
Wireless: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 PCI-E 1X
Tuner: Ceton InfiniTV 4
OS: Windows 7 Pro x64 (re-purposing an old key I have)
Additional Notes
- I decided to go with a MicroATX just in case a video card needs to come into play in the future, with the additional positives that it can fit the Tuner and Wireless cards along with it.
- H77 chipset was chosen over Z77 for price, I don't believe I need any of the Z77's features.
- The Ceton InfiniTV 4 was chosen because of this thread: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=119865 - It looks like the HTPC can be setup like a slingbox with this method so people can watch TV from their computers/tablets in other rooms.
- The 2TB drive is so that television shows could be recorded through the Ceton InfiniTV 4 tuner. I chose the ivy i3 and 8GB of ram to make sure it has enough oomph to be recording these shows while possibly streaming to other computers (overkill?).
- The common room TV is actually an old CRT that will be replaced. Considering putting a computer monitor in place of it that has 3D support, or a new TV soon. Will just use VGA -> RCA Video adapter and an audio adapter for stereo in the meantime (understand that HDCP won't work in this scenario until things change).
- The light gaming will probably consist casual games on steam big picture mode.
- Considering an aftermarket fan and some silent exhaust fans if my budget fits it
Wrap-up/Questions
I'm looking for some feedback on if this idea is sound. Is there anything I'm going too overboard on, or do I look to be in the ballpark? I don't want to overspend on the machine, but I want to make sure it's powerful enough to handle what I'm looking for in it.
Should I be considering the AMD trinity alternative for the faster integrated GPU at a smaller price point? My only concern is sacrificing clock for clock single core performance.
And also, if you did, thank you for reading my long winded post.
The Story
In my previous setup I had a Boxee Box + A media server that it streamed from. I left it behind for the folks to use and I'm going to be setting up a solution where I currently reside. Although the combo I had before worked well, I'm looking to get a bit more flexibility by setting up a HTPC.
What pushed me to the idea is that our cable connection here is only in one room (well, split from another room that has the cable modem). It leaves us with a TV to watch when guests are around, but when people are in their rooms, they don't have the capability to watch TV. We've gotten by on Netflix subscriptions, but not utilizing our TV package seems to be a waste. My thought is to have a HTPC that can act as a Slingbox, a DVR, runs 1080p playback, can serve 1080p video over the network, can stream 1080p video from other machines in the network, 3D capable Blu-Ray playback (not currently needed, but always good to plan for), and light gaming (with the ability to expand into more moderate gaming if needed).
I read the sticky, did some research, and the following is what I came up with:
Parts
Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MrN6
Case: Silverstone ML03B
CPU: Intel Core i3-3225
Mobo: ASUS P8H77-M CSM
PSU: Silverstone Strider Essential 400W
RAM: G.SKILL Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Primary HDD: Samsung 840/830 64GB OR Intel 520 60GB SSD
Secondary HDD: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5
Optical: LG Electronics Blu-ray Disc Combo
Wireless: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 PCI-E 1X
Tuner: Ceton InfiniTV 4
OS: Windows 7 Pro x64 (re-purposing an old key I have)
Additional Notes
- I decided to go with a MicroATX just in case a video card needs to come into play in the future, with the additional positives that it can fit the Tuner and Wireless cards along with it.
- H77 chipset was chosen over Z77 for price, I don't believe I need any of the Z77's features.
- The Ceton InfiniTV 4 was chosen because of this thread: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=119865 - It looks like the HTPC can be setup like a slingbox with this method so people can watch TV from their computers/tablets in other rooms.
- The 2TB drive is so that television shows could be recorded through the Ceton InfiniTV 4 tuner. I chose the ivy i3 and 8GB of ram to make sure it has enough oomph to be recording these shows while possibly streaming to other computers (overkill?).
- The common room TV is actually an old CRT that will be replaced. Considering putting a computer monitor in place of it that has 3D support, or a new TV soon. Will just use VGA -> RCA Video adapter and an audio adapter for stereo in the meantime (understand that HDCP won't work in this scenario until things change).
- The light gaming will probably consist casual games on steam big picture mode.
- Considering an aftermarket fan and some silent exhaust fans if my budget fits it
Wrap-up/Questions
I'm looking for some feedback on if this idea is sound. Is there anything I'm going too overboard on, or do I look to be in the ballpark? I don't want to overspend on the machine, but I want to make sure it's powerful enough to handle what I'm looking for in it.
Should I be considering the AMD trinity alternative for the faster integrated GPU at a smaller price point? My only concern is sacrificing clock for clock single core performance.
And also, if you did, thank you for reading my long winded post.