Specs for new HTPC/media server
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:13 am
Hi,
This is my first attempt at building an HTPC, and I wanted to get some feedback on my proposed build. I based a lot of the build on the SPCR review of the Node 605 and other recommended components.
The machine will serve as both an HTPC and an NAS. On the HTPC side, its primary use will be encoding and playing media; no gaming. On the server side it will run a few applications and host shared volumes for the rest of the household network. Most of the time it will have little load.
Here are the proposed specs:
Case: Fractal Design Node 605
PSU: Seasonic SS-400FL2 Active PFC F3 400W
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Q77M-D2H
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770
CPU cooler: Noctua NH-C12P
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000 (onboard)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
SSD: OCZ Technology 128GB Vector Series SATA 6.0 GB/s; Scythe Slot Rafter (2.5" drive mounter)
ODD: Panasonic UJ240 6x Blu-ray Burner BD-RE/8x DVD+RW DL
RAID: 4x WD Red 3 TB NAS Hard Drive (in RAID-5)
Wi-Fi: TP-Link PCI Express Wifi Adapter
Bluetooth: IOGear Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter
Thoughts/Questions:
1. Several reviews, including on this site, found the Node 605 to have somewhat limited thermal headroom. However, those tests all had a separate GPU card.
2. I won't be doing any gaming, so with thermal performance in mind, I plan to use the onboard GPU.
3. Yes, the CPU is overkill for a HTPC. It's still only 77W TDP, same as the i5-3570K (the next processor down with HD 4000 graphics).
4. The drive cages support 4 HDD/SSDs. I'd like to use 4 drives for the RAID array and 1 SSD for the system disk. A pickle. However, the case has 7 expansion slots (of which I use 1) and I think this should do the trick: http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/0 ... etail.html. It also allows for mounting an additional fan. Would adding a fan there help with cooling? I'd probably start without and see how it works.
5. The case has ports for 2 80mm exhaust fans; I could easily add one to improve air flow. Any idea how much that would help, versus added noise?
6. My main concerns are noise and adequate cooling. On the noise, I live in the middle of a big city, so ambient noise is never that low. It doesn't need to be silent.
Thanks in advance!
-Kidnebraska
This is my first attempt at building an HTPC, and I wanted to get some feedback on my proposed build. I based a lot of the build on the SPCR review of the Node 605 and other recommended components.
The machine will serve as both an HTPC and an NAS. On the HTPC side, its primary use will be encoding and playing media; no gaming. On the server side it will run a few applications and host shared volumes for the rest of the household network. Most of the time it will have little load.
Here are the proposed specs:
Case: Fractal Design Node 605
PSU: Seasonic SS-400FL2 Active PFC F3 400W
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Q77M-D2H
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770
CPU cooler: Noctua NH-C12P
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000 (onboard)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
SSD: OCZ Technology 128GB Vector Series SATA 6.0 GB/s; Scythe Slot Rafter (2.5" drive mounter)
ODD: Panasonic UJ240 6x Blu-ray Burner BD-RE/8x DVD+RW DL
RAID: 4x WD Red 3 TB NAS Hard Drive (in RAID-5)
Wi-Fi: TP-Link PCI Express Wifi Adapter
Bluetooth: IOGear Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter
Thoughts/Questions:
1. Several reviews, including on this site, found the Node 605 to have somewhat limited thermal headroom. However, those tests all had a separate GPU card.
2. I won't be doing any gaming, so with thermal performance in mind, I plan to use the onboard GPU.
3. Yes, the CPU is overkill for a HTPC. It's still only 77W TDP, same as the i5-3570K (the next processor down with HD 4000 graphics).
4. The drive cages support 4 HDD/SSDs. I'd like to use 4 drives for the RAID array and 1 SSD for the system disk. A pickle. However, the case has 7 expansion slots (of which I use 1) and I think this should do the trick: http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/0 ... etail.html. It also allows for mounting an additional fan. Would adding a fan there help with cooling? I'd probably start without and see how it works.
5. The case has ports for 2 80mm exhaust fans; I could easily add one to improve air flow. Any idea how much that would help, versus added noise?
6. My main concerns are noise and adequate cooling. On the noise, I live in the middle of a big city, so ambient noise is never that low. It doesn't need to be silent.
Thanks in advance!
-Kidnebraska