HTPC/Steambox Build: Complete

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dolorousdave

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
219
Hi all, just thought I'd post here about my newest HTPC/Steambox build. I'm still looking for a few parts--will mention those here.

Current config:

Intel Core i5 3750
Asus P8Z77V - LX
8GB G Skill DDR3 1600
Radeon Sapphire HD 7870
128GB SSD for OS (Windows 8)
1.5TB WD Games Drive
2TB WD Movies/TV Drive
Microsoft MCE IR Receiver

Configuration-wise, I'm running Windows 8 which boots directly into Steam Big Picture Mode. Within BPM, I've got a link to XBMC, so I never have to hit the desktop unless I want to. My Harmony One is working perfectly across the board--even though it was probably the most irritating piece of the config.

Looking to replace:

Antec 300 Case
Cooling Fans
1.5TB Games Drive

I'm looking for an HTPC-style case that will hold the Radeon HD7870 and am also looking for a 256GB SSD for the Games Drive. Any thoughts on those? The case will probably determine which silent fans I get.
 
You didn't say if you wanted to stay at ATX or go smaller. I find your request confusing because the Antec 300 is already pretty compact for a case with room for a full-sized ATX motherboard!

If you want to go smaller you need to ditch the full-sized ATX motherboard for Mini-ITX. If you decide to do that, you open-up a wide range of small cases. I just used this to do my HTPC build:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6470/...mitx-case-review-paving-the-way-to-the-future

The Fractal Design Node 304 has fantastic quiet cooling, can use your existing ATX PSU (some restrictions on the length of modular PSU models), has room for a double-slot graphics card and six disk drives!

Best part: it comes with dual 92mm and a single 140mm fan with three speed settings (low is silent, and high is not too loud), so you won't have to bother "silencing" your system.
 
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I have put a 7950 in a LC13B and more would fit, you have to remove one cage though. My only major gripe was it had lots of places for 80mm fans but other wise it looked good. I am selling it now if you end up interested.
 
defaultluser said:
You didn't say if you wanted to stay at ATX or go smaller. I find your request confusing because the Antec 300 is already pretty compact for a case with room for a full-sized ATX motherboard!

If you want to go smaller you need to ditch the full-sized ATX motherboard for Mini-ITX. If you decide to do that, you open-up a wide range of small cases. I just used this to do my HTPC build:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6470/...mitx-case-review-paving-the-way-to-the-future

The Fractal Design Node 304 has fantastic quiet cooling, can use your existing ATX PSU (some restrictions on the length of modular PSU models), has room for a double-slot graphics card and six disk drives!

Best part: it comes with dual 92mm and a single 140mm fan with three speed settings (low is silent, and high is not too loud), so you won't have to bother "silencing" your system.
Click to expand...

Well, I definitely want to keep the full-size ATX board, as I bought it specifically for this build. So I'm looking for a nice ATX case that will sit horizontally and also support the 7870.
 
Fractal Node 605 is a nice-looking HTPC-style case. Be warned that you can't use an optical drive with a full ATX board.

SilverStone has some other nice offerings that support full ATX mobos.

Antec Fusion MAX is another one, though I believe it may be discontinued.
 
That processor is nice. My HTPC i5-3750K, 8GB Ram, 120GB SSD, 2TB External (this is just for backup/quickstorage because I have a 16TB NAS), Antec 430W Earthwatts. I've been tempted to throw something like an HD6770, or an HD7750 to keep the system silent and it will still be able to play games like L4D2 which is what I play. But at the moment, with the on chip graphics, it does everything I throw at it, which at the moment is just 1080P media.
 
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ShepsCrook said:
That processor is nice. My HTPC i5-3750K, 8GB Ram, 120GB SSD, 2TB External (this is just for backup/quickstorage because I have a 16TB NAS), Antec 430W Earthwatts. I've been tempted to throw something like an HD6770, or an HD7750 to keep the system silent and it will still be able to play games like L4D2 which is what I play. But at the moment, with the on chip graphics, it does everything I throw at it, which at the moment is just 1080P media.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much my exact build, obviously--and I'll tell you, with the GPU I've got, I can play everything at highest settings except maybe games like BF3. It's a great card for the money and I love having my Steam library on the TV. It's actually making me consider getting rid of my 360 at this point.
 
What's the GPU that you have?

I just want something that's silent for it. I don't need top of the line for gaming, because I don't play anything that needs that kind of power.
 
defaultluser said:
Nice looking, but Anandtech found that it has problems with air circulation (really surprising after the 304 did so well).

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6532/...eview-is-fractal-design-ready-for-primetime/7

If you value silence, you never want to start with a case that will leave your components hot.
Click to expand...

This is all they really say regarding the thermals:
Fractal Design has priced themselves out of competition, so the fact that the fan intake next to the CPU is empty is inexcusable. To provide halfway decent performance, this case is going to need that fan.
Click to expand...

If it's as simple as adding (or moving) a fan to the to CPU intake, it's not really a problem. I would imagine anyone building out this system would be occupying all the fan spots with low RPM fans.
 
yea, I just bought a Node 605 yesterday.

Here is whats going in it:
i3-3225
asus p8z77-v pro (got it for $60 at MC so why not)
8gigs of ram from before i upgraded main PC
120gig SSD windows 8 and emulators
3x3TB HDs

I think I'm going to try adding another fan by the CPU and turning the fan by the HDs to be exhaust
gu5TqH9.jpg

like this...

Hopefully it'll turn out ok haha
 
If you're going to have a discreet GPU, you might want to make all three intakes. The GPU and the 2x80mm fan mounts at the back would be exhaust.
 
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