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New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
#400768 02/07/14 03:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
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So here's the current part list of the machine I'm building for my living room. Its primary use will be media playback, and gaming.

It started with me seeing that SilverStone had announced a new Mini-ITX case, the Raven RVZ01. I knew I wanted to build a machine using that.

So I found a Mini-ITX motherboard. I had never used a Asus board in a machine for myself, but I've been impressed with their stuff for a long time, so I figured I'd give the Z87I-Deluxe a shot.

When I was initially planning this build, I was going to try to go cheap, and use a Core i5 CPU, but cheap started to go out the window, so I moved up to an i7. There's really only one i7 chip available to consumers, the 4770. Though there is also a clock-unlocked version for a few dollars more. So I figured what the heck, and will be using the Core i7 4770K processor.

Some more SilverStone stuff to fill up the case:
Power supply: ST45SF-G (I hope 450 Watts is enough, as it's hard to find SFX style PSUs bigger than that).
Short, modular cable set: PP05-E
CPU heat sink: NT06-PRO (I've heard this is a real bear to install, but blood sacrifices make computers run well).
Slot load, BD burner: SOB02

I'm going with SSDs for the main storage. Yes, plural. I'll be using three 240GB Intel SSD 530 Series in a RAID0 stripe set (720 GB total). This should get me about 1.6 GB/s read performance. (This is where cheap left the planet.)

Because I know better than to trust an SSD (even in Intel one), and striped drives are playing with fire (if even one disk fails the whole set becomes unreadable). I'm going to put a Seagate ST4000DM000 (their site is all HTML5/AJAX, and you can't link to individual drives any more), 4TB low-power, spinning disk in for backups, and storage of larger files.

I'm still not sure what video card or RAM I'm going with. I'd like to use a GeForce GTX 760, but the minimum recommended PSU is 500 Watts. I'll probably risk it, because the rest of the system doesn't seem to be too power hungry. For the RAM I want something that's DDR 1866, and CL 9, probably Crucial or G.Skill. But I've got to see what clearance I have with that CPU cooler. I think there's no overlap between the DIMM slots and the radiator, but have to see it in person before I order anything.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400769 02/07/14 04:07 PM
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Nice.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400770 02/07/14 04:48 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
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T
axiomite
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T
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You're crazed.

I like Silverstone cases.

Sounds like a great system. Windows 8.1?


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400771 02/07/14 05:35 PM
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I'm going to try out SteamOS, but also probably end up with Win 8.1 on it.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400772 02/07/14 05:49 PM
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Is steam multi-boot friendly?


With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400773 02/07/14 06:15 PM
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Not at this point (it is planned before it's out of beta), but I know my way around a boot loader well enough that I can manage.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400800 02/08/14 05:35 AM
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C
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club
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Great list of components. I'd like to build a completely new PC this year, but realistically, I'll probably simply update certain components (case, motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card) and transfer pieces out of this one (hard drives, BD and DVD drives, PSU).

I mainly want a new case and video card. The case I have right now is a fairly tall tower, so I'd like something that looks more appropriate in my component rack. I'm still leaning toward this one: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO

I don't really have any experience with Cooler Master, and I've been happy with Antec, so we'll see what options are out there when I finally do set aside the funds.

I'll wait until Steam Machines are out and doing damage before upgrading my video card. I'll probably straddle mid-range and high-end.

Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400806 02/08/14 12:50 PM
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I was shocked that this case could hold a full-length, double-slot video card. Of course the card takes up 1/3 of the case's volume, and almost half its width.

I've not touched a Cooler Master case, but from reading they seem to be a little bit on the cheap side, construction wise (right there with SilverStone) but nothing horrible. As long as they case isn't trying to do anything "innovative" with the cooling (no radiator sides, or liquid cooling) they're fine.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400822 02/08/14 07:28 PM
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I have a coolermaster mid tower and a corsair mid tower and both are recent acquisitions in the past cuple years and the Corsair is good quality though the extra usb connectors etc are pure garbage. The CoolerMaster is by far the better case. I was really considering putting my HTPC into a Silverstone after I saw the one Nick used. I thought it would look good in the Entertainment center , much like other highend equipment. Sadly I have no room for anything more so the tower will be hiding behind my speaker. Those cases you and Nick are using are really nice but I worry about the heat. The case Cv linked to is a different twist for sure, but it would have to hide in a closet or something,not really decorative .


DOG is GOD spelled backwards.
What others think of me is none of my business.
M80 V3 MY GLOSS Cherry
Re: New HTPC/Gaming Rig Build
ClubNeon #400827 02/08/14 08:56 PM
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I'm used to server-class cases from Supermicro, just about every enthusiast case seems a bit cheap compared to that. Though some of the nicer Antec cases aren't too bad.

I mean look at this thing: http://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/4U/747/SC747TQ-R1620.cfm


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
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