2012-10-26, 04:17
Built a few computers but this is my 1st mini case and 1st HTPC.
I have spent many hours reading guides here and a couple blogs with great info on how to start from building a HTPC, thank-you everyone that has posted for making the job easier. I plan to run this setup openelec, but powerful enough to fall back to XBMCBuntu or Win7 if I have to. I have a server in the house that hosts media drives and other ripping repairing downloading etc, so this is just for playback and hopefully future proof lol (no such thing
). I consider myself a category 7 minus 3D but my next TV might be 3D so... I know HD audio bitstreaming isn't a go yet in openelec, I am hopeful that will change
I am posting here before I order tonight or tomorrow to fish for feedback on hardware compatibility and MoBo layout for this case/hardware combo to hopefully avoid any surprises. My hardware choices are filtered / limited by what ncix.ca here in Canada carries so that I can use their online price matching tool to get best Canadian prices on the whole package with shopbot.ca etc. I am not overly stuck on my choices just seemed best prices in Canada and availability for immediate shipping at NCIX.ca when searching around western Canada computer part sites.
Case - Apex MI-008 looked at many cases, like antec but they don't work in my entertainment cabinet. Not the best but sometimes simple is better to work on. Fits on the shelf I have available and is cheap.
CPU - Intel Core i3 3220T Dual Core Processor LGA1155 2.8GHZ Ivy Bridge 3MB Retail Box (was shopping for 2100T sandy bridge but this was same price) going T so I can use stock cooler and fit under power supply with some spare space.
MoBo - ASUS P8H77-I mITX LGA1155 H77 DDR3 1PCI-E16 SATA3 DVI HDMI D-Sub USB3.0 Motherboard
RAM - Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit (was shopping for 4GB 2x2GB but this was what I found at NCIX that was on the ASUS QVL and ready to ship no delay. other options I found had heat sinks that would get in the way if I chose to use a 3.5 HDD in the future.
SSD - Intel 330 Series 60GB 2.5IN SSD MLC 25nm SATA3 Solid State Disk Drive Retail Maple Crest
120mm Fan for side of case PWM for MoBo control should run slow and quiet but summer is hot want it to be able to rise if needed when ambient temp rises. Newer Z77 chipset Asus MoBo's support fan speed on non pwm 3 pin fans but this H77 chipset needs PWM . Not fully decided yet considering the following,
Scythe Slip Stream PWM 120MM Sleeve Bearing Fan 200~1300RPM 0~26.5DBA 0~74.25CFM
Noctua NF-P12 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 300-1300RPM 63.4-92.3M3/H 12.6-19.8DBA 4-PIN PWM
Noctua NF-F12 PWM 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 300-1500RPM 93.1M3/H 22.4DBA 4-PIN PWM
I appreciate any feedback or tips from anyone. Especially any experience with this MoBo or CPU in this case.
I am hopefull the iGPU will suffice if not I will add a discrete GPU to pick up the slack if needed.
I can't wait to have this up and running
Amazing that I am sorta happy my 200 $$ boxee box died lol
I have spent many hours reading guides here and a couple blogs with great info on how to start from building a HTPC, thank-you everyone that has posted for making the job easier. I plan to run this setup openelec, but powerful enough to fall back to XBMCBuntu or Win7 if I have to. I have a server in the house that hosts media drives and other ripping repairing downloading etc, so this is just for playback and hopefully future proof lol (no such thing
). I consider myself a category 7 minus 3D but my next TV might be 3D so... I know HD audio bitstreaming isn't a go yet in openelec, I am hopeful that will changeI am posting here before I order tonight or tomorrow to fish for feedback on hardware compatibility and MoBo layout for this case/hardware combo to hopefully avoid any surprises. My hardware choices are filtered / limited by what ncix.ca here in Canada carries so that I can use their online price matching tool to get best Canadian prices on the whole package with shopbot.ca etc. I am not overly stuck on my choices just seemed best prices in Canada and availability for immediate shipping at NCIX.ca when searching around western Canada computer part sites.
Case - Apex MI-008 looked at many cases, like antec but they don't work in my entertainment cabinet. Not the best but sometimes simple is better to work on. Fits on the shelf I have available and is cheap.
CPU - Intel Core i3 3220T Dual Core Processor LGA1155 2.8GHZ Ivy Bridge 3MB Retail Box (was shopping for 2100T sandy bridge but this was same price) going T so I can use stock cooler and fit under power supply with some spare space.
MoBo - ASUS P8H77-I mITX LGA1155 H77 DDR3 1PCI-E16 SATA3 DVI HDMI D-Sub USB3.0 Motherboard
RAM - Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit (was shopping for 4GB 2x2GB but this was what I found at NCIX that was on the ASUS QVL and ready to ship no delay. other options I found had heat sinks that would get in the way if I chose to use a 3.5 HDD in the future.
SSD - Intel 330 Series 60GB 2.5IN SSD MLC 25nm SATA3 Solid State Disk Drive Retail Maple Crest
120mm Fan for side of case PWM for MoBo control should run slow and quiet but summer is hot want it to be able to rise if needed when ambient temp rises. Newer Z77 chipset Asus MoBo's support fan speed on non pwm 3 pin fans but this H77 chipset needs PWM . Not fully decided yet considering the following,
Scythe Slip Stream PWM 120MM Sleeve Bearing Fan 200~1300RPM 0~26.5DBA 0~74.25CFM
Noctua NF-P12 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 300-1300RPM 63.4-92.3M3/H 12.6-19.8DBA 4-PIN PWM
Noctua NF-F12 PWM 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 300-1500RPM 93.1M3/H 22.4DBA 4-PIN PWM
I appreciate any feedback or tips from anyone. Especially any experience with this MoBo or CPU in this case.
I am hopefull the iGPU will suffice if not I will add a discrete GPU to pick up the slack if needed.
I can't wait to have this up and running
Amazing that I am sorta happy my 200 $$ boxee box died lol