[cher00]

Hi, this is my first build http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Cher00/saved/4pZv. I wanted to build a HTPC w/ some browsing etc, wanted to install XBMC and media steaming to HDTV.
Could you please give me suggestions on this build. Thanks in advance !
CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B85M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Silverstone GD05B-USB3.0 (Black) HTPC Case ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 37.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($22.40 @ Newegg)
Total: $701.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-19 21:11 EDT-0400)

[cher00]

I made some changes. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Cher00/saved/4pZv
Could you please comment on this build?
CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B85M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Silverstone GD05B-USB3.0 (Black) HTPC Case ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 37.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($22.40 @ Newegg)
Total: $701.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-19 21:07 EDT-0400)

[cher00]

Bump!

[nooryani84]

Core i5 is overkill for this system. I would go with something like this http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34340

Your setup probably won't even use 150W, though you'd have to go with a PicoPSU then. Maybe something like this modular PSU from Corsair? http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-pow...ply-cx430m

With such a large case I wouldn't add more noise with a case fan... You can definitely save quite a lot here if this is just for HTPC and web browser etc.

That's just my take though, perhaps someone else cares to chime in?

Edit: Since you're not adding any cards to your build you could probably go with this as well http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-mo...rd-gah81mh

No need to buy something just because it costs more

[cher00]

Thanks nooryani.
I added i5 just for the deal. I had i3 in my list, but with $40-70 more I can get i5.
It shows about 190 W for this setup. Your suggestions on mobo and fan are good.
Thanks,

[nooryani84]

Thanks nooryani.
I added i5 just for the deal. I had i3 in my list, but with $40-70 more I can get i5.
It shows about 190 W for this setup. Your suggestions on mobo and fan are good.
Thanks,

The thing is... You won't even max out an i3 for HTPC useage, so that's $40-70 down the drain. Use that extra money on a remote and Flirc dongle for example http://www.flirc.tv/

or set it aside towards a NAS.

The PSU I linked is 430W and also a lot cheaper.

Edit:


Here's a review: http://www.legitreviews.com/corsair-cx43...n-buy_2169

From the conclusion:

Due to the low power output and good efficiency, little heat is generated, which translates to both respectable thermal performance and very low noise figures.
Read more at http://www.legitreviews.com/corsair-cx43...lezmWyr.99

Another review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?nam...y&reid=214

For the memory I picked Corsair as they're very reliable. I switched out the SSD for one of the fastest from Samsung, a top performer. I also switched out the WD Blue for a Green as they run cooler and are better suited for HTPC uses. They're also cheaper. Look here for a quick explanation http://www.wdc.com/en/products/internal/desktop/


I took the liberty at giving you an example of what you could build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uXHO

So all in all, with a better SSD, etc you still save quite a bit. Just my two cents.

[cher00]

Nooryani,
Thanks a lot for your suggestions and detail explanation. Questions:
Should I buy a CPU cooler? You are not suggesting for case fan. Also, what is the good solution for XBMC remote control?

[bluray]

Should I buy a CPU cooler? Also, what is the good solution for XBMC remote control?

You'll be fine with stock Intel CPU cooler. You can find info on XBMC remote here- Remote controls...

[nooryani84]

The WD Blue and the PSU are both a waste of money imo. You should definitely look into those two.

[cher00]

Should I buy a CPU cooler? Also, what is the good solution for XBMC remote control?

You'll be fine with stock Intel CPU cooler. You can find info on XBMC remote here- Remote controls...

Thanks bluray

The WD Blue and the PSU are both a waste of money imo. You should definitely look into those two.

nooryani84,
I think I am okay with that hdd. Are you saying I don't need a PSU for this build ?
Thanks

[tential]

What you put together OP is a PC for doing work on. You're not doing work on this PC. Light Browsing, XBMC, and Serving Media is the LOWEST end on the spectrum of what takes a lot of CPU power.

i3 is overkill. Pentium/Celeron is probably your best price/performance ratio. BayTrail/Kabini is actually what you need as long as you're using the machine for what you designed it for (Server duty/XBMC).

[nooryani84]

The PSU is just more expensive than you need, though a good PSU can be used on later builds - so just leave it at that.

The point about the hdd is that it's a 7200RPM which will make more noise than a 5400RPM drive in general. The green drives run cooler and are less noisy. When putting all this inside the case, heat and noise should always be a priority - especially for an HTPC.

---

What you put together OP is a PC for doing work on. You're not doing work on this PC. Light Browsing, XBMC, and Serving Media is the LOWEST end on the spectrum of what takes a lot of CPU power.

i3 is overkill. Pentium/Celeron is probably your best price/performance ratio. BayTrail/Kabini is actually what you need as long as you're using the machine for what you designed it for (Server duty/XBMC).

Well, it's alright to future proof for h.265 and the core i3s are generally more efficient for multi-tasking. It all depends on what the OP will be using the PC for. If it's ONLY for XBMC, then he could go with something like this http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product...id=4918#ov

That's a MB with a built-in Bay Trail cpu

[FishOil]

Total: $701.55

You can run XBMC and browse web pages for MUCH cheaper

Overkill to the tune of $500

[tential]

The PSU is just more expensive than you need, though a good PSU can be used on later builds - so just leave it at that.

The point about the hdd is that it's a 7200RPM which will make more noise than a 5400RPM drive in general. The green drives run cooler and are less noisy. When putting all this inside the case, heat and noise should always be a priority - especially for an HTPC.

---

What you put together OP is a PC for doing work on. You're not doing work on this PC. Light Browsing, XBMC, and Serving Media is the LOWEST end on the spectrum of what takes a lot of CPU power.

i3 is overkill. Pentium/Celeron is probably your best price/performance ratio. BayTrail/Kabini is actually what you need as long as you're using the machine for what you designed it for (Server duty/XBMC).

Well, it's alright to future proof for h.265 and the core i3s are generally more efficient for multi-tasking. It all depends on what the OP will be using the PC for. If it's ONLY for XBMC, then he could go with something like this http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product...id=4918#ov

That's a MB with a built-in Bay Trail cpu

If you want to future proof there isn't a reason to spend $190 on a CPU and corresponding mobo.

That's $250+ on a codec that isn't even out yet. You can pick up a Baytrail Mobo+CPU for less than half of that. You can also pick up a corresponding upgrade with HARDWARE decode when it's there is actually h265 content to play. That will still cost less than $250, and you won't have your CPU running an intensive task that will require your fans to ramp up and cause unnecessary noise.

Kabini is the same story as well, except you won't even need to upgrade the mobo most likely because AMD isn't like intel.

[tential]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...bo.1594348 - 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820313426 - 50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820178455 - 60
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=119920 - Pick the powersupply based on your location. You only need the lowest power one. - $38
Total, $248

I recommend this OP if you want to use AMD.

If you want to use intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813138393 - 70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820313426 - 50
Case - I need more informatoin on your plans for this build to recommend the correct case.
PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk The price on this has changed by $30 again to 90. Just pick up a cheap SSD though with decent reviews. You aren't running games or anything so SSD performance differences won't be huge to you. For gamers/enthusiasts, they will whine about the 1 second extra they have to wait or will brag about buying a faster SSD just to shave an incremental amount of time off a task. I doubt you care that much.

I change my power supply recommendation to Pico:
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=119920

Only reason I recommended anything else was to keep it all newegg but Pico Power supplies are the best price to performance ratio you can get in a Mini ITX.

You won't need case fans with either of these builds because it'll be essentially silent. You can still use a CD Drive. Personally, I'd get a USB CD Drive. It's so rare that you ever need a CD drive that I wouldn't bother installing one on any build now and will just use a USB CD Drive if I need it. I'd only put a CD/DVD/Bluray Drive in my main PC. I can't remember the last time I needed a CD Drive for anything other than burning a DVD/CD for family members who still live in the extreme past in terms of hardware.