Silent HTPC with some gaming, what do you think?

[Miki]

Hi guys!

A newbie here so bare with me I have decided to get rid of my desktop computer and build a silent, low power consumption HTPC which I'd also use for gaming every now and then. The games I play are most likely something between HoMM3 (yes! I still play it alot ), Company of Heroes (quite much) and Fallout3 (rarely) category. The system doesn't have to know all the latest 3D tricks but it's a plus.

Main use will be file server and media center use though. It will be on 24/7.

Here's a list I've been thinking so far:

MB:
ASUSTEK, ASUS S775 GF9300 VGA DDR2 SATA2 MATX
(has HDMI and is good with 3D)

Processor:
Intel, Core 2 Duo E7200/2.53GHz FSB1066 3MB

Memory:
CORSAIR, CORSAIR DDR2 XMS2-8500 4GB DIMM KIT

CPU fan:
Which?
---------------------------------------------------------------

I already have 2 HDD's, PSU (SEASONIC S12-500, pretty much an overkill eh?) and other necessary peripherals. I have got two cases: Antec Aria and Antec P150. Cases are not the case here though since I want to hide the whole system somewhere...

So, the target goals would be:

1) low power consumption
2) silent
3) stable
4) great with movies, pretty good with gaming

Thanks!

[speedkar9]

So, the target goals would be:
1) low power consumption
2) silent
3) stable
4) great with movies, pretty good with gaming

If your going to do gaming, the Asus board with onboard graphics is useless- stick with a cheaper P35/45 board and an add on graphics card.
How about ATI 4670+Accelero or even a 4830/4850+S1?

[stromgald]

IIRC, the mid-high end nVidia cards have lower idle power consumption. They tend to ramp up higher, so it'll tax your PSU more at times, but I doubt it'll get close to the Seasonic's capacity.

Here's some stats I found on anandtech: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3539&p=22

[shleepy]

Yeah, the mid-high Nvidia cards have good idle consumption, but something in the range of GTX260 or higher is way overkill for light gaming (and mostly HoMM3). The previously recommended HD 4670 would be the way to go, I think.

[hybrid2d4x4]

Since you didn't specify, what resolution will you be running your games at?

That should be the single most important determining factor as to how much graphical horsepower you'll need. If it's a SDTV, then you should be able to get away with the on-board. For 1080p, you're looking at mid-range cards like the 4830/4850 or GT250/9800GTX+/8800GTS.

[Miki]

Thanks for the replies guys!

stromglad: So do you think I should sell the Seasonic or does it do any harm that it might be an overkill for my system?

hybrid2d4x4: I'll attach the system on my 40" Full-HD so it would be fine to play the games at 720p max but of course 1080p wouldn't hurt. I just don't think I will be playing any high-end 3D games like Farcry 2, just casual gaming.

Would the ATI cards be enough playing 1080p movies then?

[hybrid2d4x4]

You won't need anything more than a good integrated video for 1080p movies (which you have picked).
As for "casual games", a quick check on CoH finds that you can technically run it on the integrated video @~25FPS at 1280x1024 at low settings, which would probably translate to low 30s framerates at 1280x720. You'd probably want something better.

The 4800 series will definitely run those games well, but since you say it'll run 24/7, I would strongly recommend against them since they run hot and consume a lot of power at idle. You may want to wait till next month for the 4770, which should run a lot cooler and more efficiently since it's a 40nm part and isn't based on the 4800 design, though performance should be close to the 4830. If you need to buy now, there's the 4670, or the 55nm 9800GT+/GTX+ (and their "new" sibbling, the GT250). On the higher end, the GTX260-c216 would probably be preferable to the 4870.

[Miki]

What MB would be a good choice if I dont pick the integrated GPU road? Passive CPU cooling would be good but I doubt I could have it with this one.

[~El~Jefe~]

nvidia 260 216 is for a 24/7 system. (55nm process version)

My next purchase or the equivalent whatever comes out.