My Budget NSK-2480 build.
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:54 am
Since I had so many spare parts from past computer builds, I convinced the fiance to let me build a HTPC in the bedroom. After a very recent P180B build for the living room HTPC, I was still wanting to make a build in an "HTPC case".
For the build, I needed a PSU, CPU, and motherboard... I didn't really need a case as I had a good case just sitting around (which I sold today), but I was able to talk my way into the NSK-2480 as it had a decent PSU that came with the case.
Although this a budget build with some older parts, it still does very well and gets great Vista scores. My lowest score is the RAM with a 4.7, then next lowest is the CPU with a 5.1 of 5.9. The parts I had to buy were:
- Core2Duo E4500 - $125
- Scythe Ninja Mini (w/ Thermalright Bolt-Thru kit) - $33 (okay, I didn't NEED that)
- Gigabyte 8I865GME-775-RH - $50
- NSK-2480/PSU - $100
- Vista Home Premium OEM - $110
Total cost was just over $400... It was more than I was originally going to spend, but I decided not to use my spare copy of XP MCE 2005 and went with Vista... I couldn't live with stock cooling either, so the Scythe seemed like a good choice.
I used the 80mm fan that came with the Scythe and swapped it into the PSU. I can't hear it and the Ninja Mini is close enough to the case fans that it does not need its own.
Parts I already had:
- Corsair DDR400 1GB x2
- HIS X1650XT 512MB AGP
- Hauppauge PVR-150 MCE Kit
- Microsoft MN-730 Wireless Adapter
- 80GB & 120GB Seagate SATA1 HDD's
- Memorex CD/DVD Recorder
- Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite for Bluetooth
- Xbox wireless gaming receiver
This is connected to a 32" Samsung 720p LCD in my master bedroom. I don't want to wake up the new born, so I'll take pictures of everything running tomorrow
Anyway, here are some pictures:
I made a duct to help direct air flow through the Ninja Mini.
Swapped Scythe fan
Over all, I am VERY happy with this case. It looks nice resembling A/V equipment, cools well, and is very quiet. My dad asked me to build him a HTPC with the same case. Originally my front panel was damaged from shipping/factory, so Antec sent out a replacement panel for me to swap in.
For the build, I needed a PSU, CPU, and motherboard... I didn't really need a case as I had a good case just sitting around (which I sold today), but I was able to talk my way into the NSK-2480 as it had a decent PSU that came with the case.
Although this a budget build with some older parts, it still does very well and gets great Vista scores. My lowest score is the RAM with a 4.7, then next lowest is the CPU with a 5.1 of 5.9. The parts I had to buy were:
- Core2Duo E4500 - $125
- Scythe Ninja Mini (w/ Thermalright Bolt-Thru kit) - $33 (okay, I didn't NEED that)
- Gigabyte 8I865GME-775-RH - $50
- NSK-2480/PSU - $100
- Vista Home Premium OEM - $110
Total cost was just over $400... It was more than I was originally going to spend, but I decided not to use my spare copy of XP MCE 2005 and went with Vista... I couldn't live with stock cooling either, so the Scythe seemed like a good choice.
I used the 80mm fan that came with the Scythe and swapped it into the PSU. I can't hear it and the Ninja Mini is close enough to the case fans that it does not need its own.
Parts I already had:
- Corsair DDR400 1GB x2
- HIS X1650XT 512MB AGP
- Hauppauge PVR-150 MCE Kit
- Microsoft MN-730 Wireless Adapter
- 80GB & 120GB Seagate SATA1 HDD's
- Memorex CD/DVD Recorder
- Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite for Bluetooth
- Xbox wireless gaming receiver
This is connected to a 32" Samsung 720p LCD in my master bedroom. I don't want to wake up the new born, so I'll take pictures of everything running tomorrow
Anyway, here are some pictures:
I made a duct to help direct air flow through the Ninja Mini.
Swapped Scythe fan
Over all, I am VERY happy with this case. It looks nice resembling A/V equipment, cools well, and is very quiet. My dad asked me to build him a HTPC with the same case. Originally my front panel was damaged from shipping/factory, so Antec sent out a replacement panel for me to swap in.