HTPC, i3 2120 + GTX750Ti + Solo II + X400
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:09 pm
This build was born out of having some left over pc parts from building the server, but lately on my desktop been using Media Player Classic - Home Cinema + MadVR, LAV Splitters, LAV Audio decoder & LAV CUVID decode and been really great, so decided to build this PC in aims of being able to play like my desktop, so here the list that i chose for my HTPC,
MOBO: Intel BOXDQ67SWB3
MEMORY: G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB DDR3 1333
CPU: Intel Core i3-2120
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 3
GPU: SPARKLE GeForce GTS450
OS: Crucial M4 64GB
HDD: 2x Hitachi 5k500b
CASE: Antec SOLO II
PSU: SeaSonic X-400
FANS: 5x Scythe Kama FLEX PWM 120mm SA1225FDB12H-P
And AcoustiPack ULTIMATE Professional Sound Dampening Pack
The build was pretty straight foward, the Antec Solo II case its a really nice case, except for one thing, CM is none existent with this case, you have to use the back of hdd cage to hide as much as possible, i also use a lot of the 2nd 5.25 slot to hide cables, still not to my liking but thats how it is with the solo II, as there is bearly any place to route cables in the back, only thing that i would expect Antec to upgrade on the Solo III someday. I already had the mobo that i didn't use on the server build for other issues, but its fine for this, i wanted to go with Intel also because in my past experiences they were able to drop down the Scythe fans very low, and in this build the same, all fans are running between 250 and 300rpm, virtually inaudible from 1m. I also had the hdds left over from my media streamer so they will be use for local storage, as the server is not run 24/7. Even though AMD is more efficient gpus overall, i needed CUDA for LAV CUVID decoder, and the bare minimum they recommend is GT440 with ddr5... but i didnt want a noisy fan inside the build so decided to go with a fanless and at least a GT440 or better, Asus has one that caught my eyes... but only with DDR3, so went with Passive Sparkle GTS450. The main reason for going for the solo II is that i need the space to house the GTS450 with its massive cooler and i had the Mugen3 leftover, else i would probably have gone with a more standard horizontal HTPC case, but no regrets with the Solo II its a great case to build on, i can't hear and the temps are really good for what i intend to use it.
Here some pics of the build,
Power consumption,
Idle 32W
Movie Playback 75W
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please post them,
MOBO: Intel BOXDQ67SWB3
MEMORY: G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB DDR3 1333
CPU: Intel Core i3-2120
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 3
GPU: SPARKLE GeForce GTS450
OS: Crucial M4 64GB
HDD: 2x Hitachi 5k500b
CASE: Antec SOLO II
PSU: SeaSonic X-400
FANS: 5x Scythe Kama FLEX PWM 120mm SA1225FDB12H-P
And AcoustiPack ULTIMATE Professional Sound Dampening Pack
The build was pretty straight foward, the Antec Solo II case its a really nice case, except for one thing, CM is none existent with this case, you have to use the back of hdd cage to hide as much as possible, i also use a lot of the 2nd 5.25 slot to hide cables, still not to my liking but thats how it is with the solo II, as there is bearly any place to route cables in the back, only thing that i would expect Antec to upgrade on the Solo III someday. I already had the mobo that i didn't use on the server build for other issues, but its fine for this, i wanted to go with Intel also because in my past experiences they were able to drop down the Scythe fans very low, and in this build the same, all fans are running between 250 and 300rpm, virtually inaudible from 1m. I also had the hdds left over from my media streamer so they will be use for local storage, as the server is not run 24/7. Even though AMD is more efficient gpus overall, i needed CUDA for LAV CUVID decoder, and the bare minimum they recommend is GT440 with ddr5... but i didnt want a noisy fan inside the build so decided to go with a fanless and at least a GT440 or better, Asus has one that caught my eyes... but only with DDR3, so went with Passive Sparkle GTS450. The main reason for going for the solo II is that i need the space to house the GTS450 with its massive cooler and i had the Mugen3 leftover, else i would probably have gone with a more standard horizontal HTPC case, but no regrets with the Solo II its a great case to build on, i can't hear and the temps are really good for what i intend to use it.
Here some pics of the build,
Power consumption,
Idle 32W
Movie Playback 75W
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please post them,