I'm looking to build my first HTPC that will be kept in my bedroom on a dresser next to the TV a few feet from the foot of my bed (about 10-12 feet from our pillows). Since the HTPC will have to be on all the time to record live TV even when we're sleeping, I need it to be as quiet as possible. I have built 3 or 4 PCs in the past 10 years but never with a focus on silence.
Uses: I plan to replace a WD TV Live Hub 1TB Media Center which is too slow and function-limited for my liking. This HPTC will be used for ripping & watching DVDs (from my own collection), Hulu, Netflix, and for watching & recording live HD TV (Comcast sadly). I currently have a 42" 720p TV but I'm sure that will eventually be replaced with a 1080p or 4k TV in the next few years. Also I don't currently have any Blu-rays in my collection, but I'm sure that will eventually change in the next few years. I don't plan to do any gaming on the PC. Gone are the days that I can sit uninterrupted absorbed in my favorite games. I have little mini-me's running around vying for my attention now.
Build list:
Own already (courtesy of kind family members who got a hold of my online wishlists):
- Case: Silverstone Grandia GD05 - SPCR Review
- Power Supply: Seasonic SS-460FL2 460W Fanless - SPCR Review
- OS: Windows 8.1 Pro
- Tuner: SiliconDust HDHR3-CC HDHomeRun PRIME
Plan to buy (via this site's click-through links):
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K Devil's Canyon Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor
- CPU Fan: Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B - SPCR Review
- Case Fans: 3x Nexus Silent 120mm - SPCR Review
- Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) Model CML16GX3M2A1600C10
- Video Card: Asus GTX660
- OS Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD
- Media Storage: WD Red WD30EFRX 3TB - SPCR Review
- Optical Drive: LG Blu-ray Drive Model UH12NS30
- Processor - Am I going overboard here? Should I go with an i3 model instead? I'm willing to pay the difference for good performance but I don't want to force myself into the need for excessive cooling. Also I don't plan to do any OCing due to concerns with my inexperience at it, but I'm open to underclocking if there is a benefit to limiting noise levels.
- Power Supply - I was gifted the 460W one since I had it sitting in my wishlist based on positive reviews here, but I'm open to swapping it for a lower wattage one if it's recommended to do so. Also I'm not certain this PSU is ideal considering the case I have has external vents for a PSU fan.
- Memory - Is 16GB overboard? I saw someone in these forums mention RAM disk which is new to me but sounds appealing. I picked the specific model I did due to the low clearance but I'm open to suggestions from Asus's QVL for the Z97M-PLUS.
- Video Card - Do I even need a discrete video card for my use case?
-Jamie