Time to do a new HTPC build for the living room... my goal is a powerful multipurpose machine that can do some light gaming, htpc duty (no tv tuners on this build since it streams from the tv server in the basement), and as quiet as possible in a small package. I also will be using a sandy bridge processor for the excellent IPC and performance per watt. This will be a Mini ITX Build. In the spirit of SPCR, I will also attempt to purchase the quickest components that can run passively, hopefully resulting in the build being as quiet as possible. Hopefully I can get all cooling done with 1 front 120mm fan and whatever the PSU blows out the back as well.
Currently all parts are ordered and making their way to the house.
CASE: Silverstone Sugo SG05-B
My previous HTPC case is just a little too long in the stand that it is in, which interferes with using the USB ports. This case is a mere 11 inches deep so that should fix my problem. I had a antec veris with media front panel before. Nice case, but too many issues with the vfd, when I happened across this SUGO case, it really inspired me to do this build. It is very simple and small.
CPU: INTEL Core i3-2100 Sandy BridgeI really debated whether to go with a core i5 sandy bridge quad core processor instead of the core i3,... but I figured I really wouldn't need the extra cores, could save a few bucks and although the idle power usage is only better by a few watts, load power consumption and heat should be much less, with a small build like this, I want power, but not overkill power that will require more cooling and noise. I like a snappy system, which is why I'm going for sandy bridge. I have a 2600K in the desktop Build and it has been awesome. The Core i3 at 3.1ghz and should do quite nicely I think.
CPU Cooler: Thermalright AXP-140
This looks like the best bet for fitting a cpu cooler into the SG05 and possibly running it passively. The GeminII cooler looks like it would have been a bigger better cooler to run passively, but is impossible to find for sale anywhere in the US. Other options were the Samuel 17, but it also is NOWHERE to be found for sale.... For as many reviews that I have read and seen on the Samuel, you would think you could actually buy the product
. Only time will tell if this puppy will run passively or not. Sandy Bridge is also incredibly power efficient in general, so I am hoping it can rely on just the PSU and front 120mm fan intake.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3-B3I am hoping I didn't make a mistake here by getting a gigabyte board instead of an Intel board, I hear the Intel boards are known for having much lower power consumption than other brands.. Only Time will tell. But this board should be a good partner for the Core i3 2100. I am hoping I will have two adjustable fan headers just in case, but I'm not holding my breath, since I plan to just run one front fan, I'm hoping only one is all I will need. Don't plan on overclocking this build, although this board would support a little limited turbo style overclocking... except the core i3 doesn't support that anyways; if anything I may have to underclock the CPU a bit if the temps start getting toasty.
GPU: Radeon HIS 5570 2GB Passive
I purchased this card because A) It is passive. B) 2GB of ram, which should help at 1080p resolutions a little bit. C)It also has reasonable power consumption and will provide high performance for any game I am going to throw at it (minecraft, HL2, and other older games). One problem here though... on the gigabyte motherboard, the heatsink on the 5570 wraps around to the top of the card and is going to bump into the AXP-140... I plan on getting the dremel out and making grooves in the GPU's heatsink to make the card fit with the CPU cooler. Thanks to SPCR for the pics.
HDD: SuperTalent UltraDrive ME 60GBThis SSD is being carried over from the previous iteration of HTPC, it is still a solid, silent performer with low heat and power consumption. (Indilinx Drive) I don't store anything on this HTPC, it pulls all videos and tv streams from a server downstairs, so the small amount of disk space is not a problem.
Memory: I have a few sticks lying around; not sure which set will go in yet.. stay tuned... I will go for 2x2GB DDR3 1333 with low voltage (1.5v)... Anything to save a few watts.
Yes I know this is a gallery thread.... sorry no pics yet, but I should have parts tonight, and I will surely post some pictures of the build; until then; any comments, criticism or suggestions are surely welcome.
Thanks.
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. I know myself that case looks even better now for my Fusion ^^