[edited, because after months of sleep depivation I wasn't able to make even the slightest amount of sense - sorry!]
Hello everyone!
I would appreciate some helpful comments on the following build. Thanks to eskro's invaluably helpful guides I am thinking about ditching my unreliable, slow and crashing Popcorn Hour C-200 and replacing it with a HTPC based on eskro's Windows build #5 suggestion. I would appreciate some input on the modifications I made:
MY HTPC should
* play about every format I throw at it (including 'regular' movies from SD to 1080p 3D and downloaded videos from various websites)
* play everything back in maximum picture and sound quality through HDMI and SPDIF (maybe using the external players option via MPC-HC and MADVR)
* lets me play most of my Steam library games (even the more modern ones like Skyrim, Alan Wake, Battlefield 3) via Steam's big picture mode.
* will work as a retro gaming machine (DOSBox and other emulators, also means that I should be able to connect 1 or 2 game controllers to the front)
* will play back my music library in decent sound quality (mostly FLAC and 24bit/96kHz files)
* I have only place for one small box the sizeof my old PCH C-200. I do not want to use an external HDD.
* It should be quiet - really, really quiet. For me the the hum and hdd sounds from the PCH C-200 are already irritatign as hell....
My modified build (based on suggestions in this thread):
CASE/PSU: Antec ISK 310-150, 150W, Mini-ITX
CPU/GPU: Intel Core i3-3225 55W / Intel HD 4000 ($134)
CPU COOLER: Scythe Kozuti (SCKZT-1000) (link)
MOBO: ASRock H77M-ITX, H77 (dual PC3-12800U DDR3) (90-MXGL20-A0UAYZ)
RAM: Kingston HyperX Plug n Play DIMM Kit 8GB PC3-12800U CL9 (DDR3-1600) (KHX1600C9D3P1K2/8G)
or
RAM: Kingston HyperX Plug n Play DIMM Kit 16GB PC3-12800U CL9-9-9 (DDR3-1600) (KHX16C9P1K2/16)
SSD: ADATA Premier Pro SP600 32GB SATA-III 2.5" Read:360MB/s Write:130MB/s
MOVIE/GAMES STORAGE: Western Digital Green Mobile 2000GB, SATA 6Gb/s (WD20NPVX)
But I still have question, if you don't mind:
1) Will it all fit into this case?
1b) I want to put a 2,5'' drive with 2TB in there (Western Digital Green Mobile 2000GB, SATA 6Gb/s [WD20NPVX]). This one is 15mm high. Will it fit?
2) Will it be too cramped for proper cooling?
3) Connecting 2 gamecontrollers to the front USB should work, should it?
4) Putting 8GB or 16 GB in there should be no problem, am I right? Personally I favor more RAM than less. My DAW machine at home has 24GB which lets me open medium to large project files with less hassle.
5) Is the case PSU strong enough for my intended build and use?
6) Is Windows 8 pro x64 overkill for this machine? Is regular Win8 good enough?
Sorry for the many questions. Looking forward to your replies and suggestions!
Greetings from Vienna!
Hello everyone!
I would appreciate some helpful comments on the following build. Thanks to eskro's invaluably helpful guides I am thinking about ditching my unreliable, slow and crashing Popcorn Hour C-200 and replacing it with a HTPC based on eskro's Windows build #5 suggestion. I would appreciate some input on the modifications I made:
MY HTPC should
* play about every format I throw at it (including 'regular' movies from SD to 1080p 3D and downloaded videos from various websites)
* play everything back in maximum picture and sound quality through HDMI and SPDIF (maybe using the external players option via MPC-HC and MADVR)
* lets me play most of my Steam library games (even the more modern ones like Skyrim, Alan Wake, Battlefield 3) via Steam's big picture mode.
* will work as a retro gaming machine (DOSBox and other emulators, also means that I should be able to connect 1 or 2 game controllers to the front)
* will play back my music library in decent sound quality (mostly FLAC and 24bit/96kHz files)
* I have only place for one small box the sizeof my old PCH C-200. I do not want to use an external HDD.
* It should be quiet - really, really quiet. For me the the hum and hdd sounds from the PCH C-200 are already irritatign as hell....
My modified build (based on suggestions in this thread):
CASE/PSU: Antec ISK 310-150, 150W, Mini-ITX
CPU/GPU: Intel Core i3-3225 55W / Intel HD 4000 ($134)
CPU COOLER: Scythe Kozuti (SCKZT-1000) (link)
MOBO: ASRock H77M-ITX, H77 (dual PC3-12800U DDR3) (90-MXGL20-A0UAYZ)
RAM: Kingston HyperX Plug n Play DIMM Kit 8GB PC3-12800U CL9 (DDR3-1600) (KHX1600C9D3P1K2/8G)
or
RAM: Kingston HyperX Plug n Play DIMM Kit 16GB PC3-12800U CL9-9-9 (DDR3-1600) (KHX16C9P1K2/16)
SSD: ADATA Premier Pro SP600 32GB SATA-III 2.5" Read:360MB/s Write:130MB/s
MOVIE/GAMES STORAGE: Western Digital Green Mobile 2000GB, SATA 6Gb/s (WD20NPVX)
But I still have question, if you don't mind:
1) Will it all fit into this case?
1b) I want to put a 2,5'' drive with 2TB in there (Western Digital Green Mobile 2000GB, SATA 6Gb/s [WD20NPVX]). This one is 15mm high. Will it fit?
2) Will it be too cramped for proper cooling?
3) Connecting 2 gamecontrollers to the front USB should work, should it?
4) Putting 8GB or 16 GB in there should be no problem, am I right? Personally I favor more RAM than less. My DAW machine at home has 24GB which lets me open medium to large project files with less hassle.
5) Is the case PSU strong enough for my intended build and use?
6) Is Windows 8 pro x64 overkill for this machine? Is regular Win8 good enough?
Sorry for the many questions. Looking forward to your replies and suggestions!
Greetings from Vienna!