Opinions on HTPC build: ZOTAC H55-ITX Wifi + Core i3

[jukabala]

Hello from the nordics!

It's been a cold winter here so I'm trying to put up a nice HTPC to enjoy some pop corn times indoors

Been reading quite a bit lately and came up with the following build:

- Zotac H55-ITX Wifi
- Intel Core i3 530 2,93GHz Socket 1156 Box
- Silverstone Sugo SG06B 300W (reviewed here, got thumbs up)
- Kingston ValueRAM DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB
- Sony Optiarc BC-5500S
- Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000BEVT 8MB 500GB 2,5''

First time I will build a pc myself, so I'd appreciate any feedback on the parts selected, whether something is missing or could be improved, etc.

To make clear my expectations from it:

- Small (hence the SFF)
- Quiet (just gave up on a ASRock Nettop ION 330HT-BD because of the freaking annoying buzz)
- Future-proof (another reason why I gave up on Ion platforms - they are kind of tied to the prowesses of the gpu)

Regarding quietness: I'm planning on using the standard fan that comes with the Core i3. Any opinions on whether that is up to the standards of spcr for a quiet computer when combined with the Sugo case?

As to the case: Sugo SG06 is primarily a gaming SFF case. I'm not going to add a dedicated graphic card for that, but I like the fact the case is not too tight as other ITXes and has a very efficient power supply. I welcome any suggestions though.

Thanks in advance!
/Juka

[Mats]

Hej Juka, välkommen till SPCR!!!

I think your choice of parts looks good, but I'd look for a case which have room enough for a standard ATX PSU.

Maybe this case: http://www.prisjakt.nu/produkt.php?p=453812,
together with this PSU: http://www.prisjakt.nu/produkt.php?p=503970

Here's a review of the PSU: http://www.silentpcreview.com/Nexus_NX-5000

In the end it's just a matter of taste.

Also remember that your system can be used with a picoPSU, they're available in Sweden: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article601-page1.html
A picoPSU makes it possible to use an even a smaller case that still have some room in it, since it won't have a regular PSU.
The PT09 have a fanless DC board and adapter included, similar to the picoPSU:
http://www.prisjakt.nu/kategori.php?b=s49345467

[wkeller]

I stopped waiting for the Zotac but opted for a Gigabyte H55 mAtx in a very SFF. See my setup and picture in topic "Fanless PSU for i3"

[Shibirian]

About an casing to fit a standard ATX-supply, this one's my current favorite so far! It looks a bit like a upright shoe-box, but that's not all too bad in my eyes.

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/tw/flashpage/q07/

Also the power supply you've got there; Your whole build should not draw more than 70W max. Shouldn't an 120w Pico-PSU be enough? Why do you want to go for a regular ATX one?

[wkeller]

Very nice case, slightly larger than my Elite 100? NB. My H55/i3 (see topic Fanless PSU for i3) runs 67C and 95W under max Prime95/Furtest load, but my PSU in not efficient at those temps. I gues with a good 80+ PSU a 80W PSU might be enough. I am very impressed by Intel!

[AlexNC]

jukabala

I am about to build a box too, and I am looking at the same specs. I am new too building, but I think you have made some good choices. I too am planning on trying the default fan first, then upgrading later if I find it is too loud. The only change I see when compared to mine is the processor. I am going to go for one of the i5's since they use the same wattage. I want to make sure the processor can handle full screen Hulu on high setting.

Do you have any links showing Hulu tests with the different i3/i5 processors? I would be really interested in nowing if the i5 is over kill for my setup.

[jukabala]

Hello again,

Thanks everybody for your opinions. Indeed the Sugo S06 might be a little too powerful for such a small system. I like the idea of the PicoPSU that Mats and Shibirian mentioned, thanks! I will investigate a bit more on that with an alternative case.

@AlexNC: not sure you need all the way to an i5 to play Hulu fullscreen. The core i3 530 I picked counts on Intel HD Graphics integrated in the processor, meaning the GPU (and not the processor) will do the decoding of h.264 for example.

So, a core i5 could indeed get you some extra horsepower to playback flash content from Hulu. But now that Adobe Flash 10.1 counts on hardware acceleration for h.264, you can probably get away with an i3 530. That is, the extra horsepower you would get with an i5 would be wasted (provided the i5 counts on Intel HD graphics GPU).

And by the way, not all i5 come with Intel HD integrated GPU it seems. You probably don't want that, as otherwise you will get the processor doing the hard work (meaning your fan will go off more often due to higher cpu usage). I guess the cheapest Intel Core with Intel HD would be good enough for an HTPC.