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First HTPC built! What's next for it?

GRAJY
By GRAJY
in New Builds and Planning
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Hi all!

Am new to PC building, as I've just built my first HTPC on a budget. All up it cost around AUD$600.
Some components I could've purchased cheaper, but I didn't want to wait for parts in the mail. I picked this all up on a Wednesday night so I could build over the next few nights, then get the software/downloaded content right. I'm running XBMC.
I also run a D-Link-320L NAS with 3TB all up. Movies and TV shows are on the 2TB drive here.
Any "games" I have/will have will be stored locally on the HTPC.

I'm aware that the PC specs aren't great for gaming, but I enjoy gaming on consoles instead. 

The build was straightforward and easy enough to do. I'm a mechanic by trade by the way.
Everything is setup straight from the box. 

Just wondering, is there any suggestions as what I should do/add to the build for primarily HTPC functioning? I've enjoyed my first build, and am quite interested in learning more. :-)

Cheers
Grajy

HTPC Budget Custom 
Case: Silverstone Grandia GD05B USB3.0 
PSU: Corsair VS350 
MoBo: AsRock FM2A88X-ITX 
CPU: AMD A6-6400K 
RAM: 1x Corsair XMS3 4GB 1600 
HDD: 1TB Seagate Barracuda

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Not much to be honest...


CPU: Intel i5 4570 | Cooler: Cooler Master TPC 812 | Motherboard: ASUS H87M-PRO | RAM: G.Skill 16GB (4x4GB) @ 1600MHZ | Storage: OCZ ARC 100 480GB, WD Caviar Black 2TB, Caviar Blue 1TB | GPU: Gigabyte GTX 970 | ODD: ASUS BC-12D2HT BR Reader | PSU: Cooler Master V650 | Display: LG IPS234 | Keyboard: Logitech G710+ | Mouse: Logitech G602 | Audio: Logitech Z506 & Audio Technica M50X | My machine: https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/b/JoJ

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You could add an IR remote.

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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You could add an IR remote.

I currently have a Harmony remote operating everything else. I'm not sure how this would interact with the PC. Thoughts?

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The fans are quite noisy and seem to be at one speed all of the time.

I was thinking of maybe getting a fan splitter cable to run to the CHA_FAN on my board, and control the chassis fans that way.

 

Would this be a worthwhile improvement, or do I have to consider new fans or a controller instead?

 

Otherwise, this build runs really well. No streaming issues and loads quite quickly. 

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I currently have a Harmony remote operating everything else. I'm not sure how this would interact with the PC. Thoughts?

Install Unified Remote on your phone and your PC, you'll LOVE it.


CPU: Intel i5 4570 | Cooler: Cooler Master TPC 812 | Motherboard: ASUS H87M-PRO | RAM: G.Skill 16GB (4x4GB) @ 1600MHZ | Storage: OCZ ARC 100 480GB, WD Caviar Black 2TB, Caviar Blue 1TB | GPU: Gigabyte GTX 970 | ODD: ASUS BC-12D2HT BR Reader | PSU: Cooler Master V650 | Display: LG IPS234 | Keyboard: Logitech G710+ | Mouse: Logitech G602 | Audio: Logitech Z506 & Audio Technica M50X | My machine: https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/b/JoJ

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Install Unified Remote on your phone and your PC, you'll LOVE it.

Hmmm... sounds interesting. 

I'll check it out. Thanks Zac!

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I currently have a Harmony remote operating everything else. I'm not sure how this would interact with the PC. Thoughts?

 

You can buy IR receivers for pc. Usually a usb device. Check out the XBMC wiki on remotes. It might provide some useful information.

 

 

The fans are quite noisy and seem to be at one speed all of the time.

I was thinking of maybe getting a fan splitter cable to run to the CHA_FAN on my board, and control the chassis fans that way.

 

Would this be a worthwhile improvement, or do I have to consider new fans or a controller instead?

 

Otherwise, this build runs really well. No streaming issues and loads quite quickly. 

 

The motherboard has a 4-pin chassis fan header which generally indicates that it can control PWM fans. You should check the user manual to see if it can also control 3-pin fans if that is what are mounted in the case. If the motherboard doesn't support 3-pin fans and that is what is in the case you can simply replace the case fans with PWM versions.

 

Using the motherboard to control the fans is a good idea. I believe your motherboard lets you define a fan temperature / speed curve.

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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You can buy IR receivers for pc. Usually a usb device. Check out the XBMC wiki on remotes. It might provide some useful information.

The motherboard has a 4-pin chassis fan header which generally indicates that it can control PWM fans. You should check the user manual to see if it can also control 3-pin fans if that is what are mounted in the case. If the motherboard doesn't support 3-pin fans and that is what is in the case you can simply replace the case fans with PWM versions.

Using the motherboard to control the fans is a good idea. I believe your motherboard lets you define a fan temperature / speed curve.

Thanks Brob. I'll take a look into it a bit further. :)
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XBMC has great remote control apps for android + iOS phone/tablets.

There's also a great add on launcher that allows you to play games straight from XBMC, including emulator roms etc.

Works best with non-default skin that has good top menu customization.

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Install Unified Remote on your phone and your PC, you'll LOVE it.

I tried the Unified Remote app last night. Mouse and Keyboard on my 10" tablet? I LOVE IT!

 

Thanks Zac!

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Would external GPU/s help my HTPC rig?

 

Just wondering.

 

I think I know the answer. I don't/won't be gaming seriously on this PC, but I'd like to know that I'm not missing out on a better upgrade than what I have right now.

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Would external GPU/s help my HTPC rig?

 

Just wondering.

 

I think I know the answer. I don't/won't be gaming seriously on this PC, but I'd like to know that I'm not missing out on a better upgrade than what I have right now.

No, a cheap R9 270 would be fine.


CPU: Intel i5 4570 | Cooler: Cooler Master TPC 812 | Motherboard: ASUS H87M-PRO | RAM: G.Skill 16GB (4x4GB) @ 1600MHZ | Storage: OCZ ARC 100 480GB, WD Caviar Black 2TB, Caviar Blue 1TB | GPU: Gigabyte GTX 970 | ODD: ASUS BC-12D2HT BR Reader | PSU: Cooler Master V650 | Display: LG IPS234 | Keyboard: Logitech G710+ | Mouse: Logitech G602 | Audio: Logitech Z506 & Audio Technica M50X | My machine: https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/b/JoJ

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No, a cheap R9 270 would be fine.

 

Thanks for the tip, Zac.

What sort of benefits would this AUD$200 card give me?

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Looks like I might not NEED anything at the moment.

 

Thanks for your help everyone. :)

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