Just wanted to drop in and say thanks for the reviews and recommendations for various components over the years. I am building my 3rd HTPC with the following parts:

Case: CoolerMaster ATCs-620B (Re-used from v1)
Mobo: Asus Maximus V GENE
CPU: i7-3770K
Cooler: Thermalright AXP-140 (Hope it fits, re-used from v2)
RAM: 16GB (4 x 4GB) Ripjaws X 2133MHz
VGA: Gainward GTX 560 Ti Phantom
SSD: ADATA 120GB
HDD: WD Green 2TB x3 RAID 5
Optical: ASUS BW-12B1ST
PSU: Corsair AX650

I have a few old case fans (PC Power & Cooling Silencers) in from v1 that I need to check for db level on new build. I know this probably looks more like a portable gaming rig than an HTPC, but it should do good for what I need. My priorities were performance, sound, and finally power usage. Depending on temps inside and cooler fitment, I may upgrade to the SilverStone CW02 with USB3 and more room.

Cheers

I have changed up a few components after some more research:

SSD: Intel 330 Series 120GB
PSU: Kingwin LPZ-550 Platinum

Were these changes for the better?

Also thinking about Self Encrypting Drives like the Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000. Is this just enterprise stuff and overkill for home use? I remember reading about the new i7's doing drive encryption, but don't know much about it. Would that be better? Does it work on RAID? How do you know if the CPU/Mobo support it?

What app are you running that requires the i7's horsepower and 16GB of RAM? You don't need it for HTPC/music/torrent downloads.

Does the 60mm fan on the case work ok for you? Might consider one of the Silverstone Grandia cases as an upgrade.

I agree, this looks like massive overkill for (my definition of) an HTPC, and it does look like a portable gaming rig

I would have the Intel SSD over the ADATA, or I'd have a Crucial M4 equally happily if available wherever you are.

Regarding self-encrypting drives, why would you need those? If you want to protect your files, encrypt your files. If you're worried about people snooping your private data post-disposal, a sledgehammer is as effective as encryption. If you're worried about the Three Letter Agencies, they'll nick yo stuff regardless

I honestly got the i7 for the 77W TDP more than the HP. And the RAM is for the VM's I'm going to be using for my MTA/MCSA/MCSE/MCITP studies. Plus this is going to be used as a tax break for the mentioned studies, so I am sure 8GB would be more than enough, but it was only ~75% more for double. The 60mm fans (added a second one next to first) from v1 had been undervolted to 7v, so they weren't too bad. The 80mm fans were put near the intake vents. This was all to help cool the Prescott, ATI Radeon can't remember, and 2x WinTv PVR's at the time.

Yeah, the encryption is just for my piece of mind mostly. I don't think I will be bothered by any 3 lettered agencies, but it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I normally do the sledge to old drives after 2 passes with disk wipe utility. They frown upon use of thermite for drive disposal.

I'd save $100 and go for the i5-3570. Get the K if you want to overclock. It's still overkill for your needs and will certainly cover any gaming you might want to do.

I haven't messed with HDD's with built-in encryption. I just have a truecrypt folder that contains all of my personal docs as well as mail/web profiles. It works well and is easy to toss onto thumb drives for encrypted backups.

PSU: Kingwin LPZ-550 Platinum is good.
Mobo: Asus Maximus V GENE is nice.
SSD: Not a lot of reviews on the Intel 330, yet...other than it's another Sandforce controller design. I'd lean toward Crucial m4 or Samsung.
VGA: Gainward GTX 560 Ti Phantom definately overkill for HTPC or your other listed apps. Try the iGPU. If you don't like it, get an HD 6570 or similar. If you plan to game, then nvm.