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Help for $700 HTPC

peter3933
By peter3933
in New Builds and Planning
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Hello LTT Community,

 

I have recently planned to build a HTPC/Gaming Rig for a price of roughly $700 in which will be used for work, entertainment (movies and music) and obviously, gaming.

 

(This is my first "proper" build)

 

Here are the parts I have selected, however I would appreciate your thoughts and feedback on the part list.

 

Part List:

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460

MB: ASUS B85M-G

RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600

SSD: Samsung 850 Evo 120GB SSD

HDD: Western Digital (WD) Blue 1TB

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX960 G1 Gaming

Case: Thermaltake Urban S31

PSU: Corsair CX600M

 

I will be running Windows 7, mainly because Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 are out of stock at a nearby store.

 

Also, I am planning to use the Intel Stock Fan which comes with the CPU, but I want to keep the PC relatively quiet. Do you think the Stock Intel CPU fan will not be too loud, even under heavy load? (e.g. Gaming)

 

Thoughts and Feedback are very much appreciated.

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stock fan will be a bit loud under high load

 

but still bearable

 

as for the PSU

 

where other brands do the shop carry?

Budget? Uses? Currency? Location? Operating System? Peripherals? Monitor? Use PCPartPicker wherever possible. 

Quote whom you're replying to, and set option to follow your topics. Or Else we can't see your reply.

 

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I'm not sure you know what an HTPC computer is lol :P (I personally would describe this as a light gaming machine)

Anyway, stock cooler is fine, I recommend a R9 380 over a 960.

Highly don't recommend CX600M.

 

Everything else is good.

Current Desktop Build | 2200G | RX 580 4GB | 8GB RAM | CTRL | Logitech G Pro Wireless

Laptop | 2018 MBA 256/16GB | MX Master 

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Change the 960 to a 380, and CX PSUs are not very good, id recommend changing that as well.

 

Intel stock coolers can get pretty loud but its not as if you can't just try it out and see if it works for you first, if it is too loud just order a aftermarket cooler.

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peter3933

 

What's the actual intent of this HTPC? Are you going to run movies from an HD or just streaming? I recommend the Amazon Fire TV if you're planning on streaming. It's only $100, dead silent, and quick enough. If you plan on playing content, consider a console instead. $700 is a bit on the high side for an HTPC.

 

Do you plan on gaming at your tv? If that's the case then your budget is justified.

 

Check out pcpartpicker.com for some good builds.

 

Tell us a little about what you plan to do with this HTPC.

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peter3933

 

What's the actual intent of this HTPC? Are you going to run movies from an HD or just streaming? I recommend the Amazon Fire TV if you're planning on streaming. It's only $100, dead silent, and quick enough. If you plan on playing content, consider a console instead. $700 is a bit on the high side for an HTPC.

 

Do you plan on gaming at your tv? If that's the case then your budget is justified.

 

Check out pcpartpicker.com for some good builds.

 

Tell us a little about what you plan to do with this HTPC.

 

I'm thinking of using it as a multipurpose rig, where I will mainly be able to do work, gaming and possibly watch movies and listen to music. I chose for a rather high end side as I wanted the PC to last for a long time without having to upgrade that often (I'm looking to use it for 5~10 years).

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This is what I'd do:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($24.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($127.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.75 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Other: 128GB SSD ($37.00)
Total: $698.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-31 01:16 EST-0500

 

It'll be quieter, and the platform itself will last for much longer. DDR4 speeds mean that single-channel is no problem, leaving room for future memory expansion when you need it, and the overclockable CPU (ASrock Z170 chipsets can OC locked Skylake CPUs via BCLK) means that the platform will last a really long time. The GTX 950 is only slightly worse than the 960, and GPUs are the first component to be replaced, so I feel like it's an acceptable corner to cut in order to get the longer lasting platform. The Core 500 is a great case that can fit large tower coolers and standard ATX PSUs, so the CM 212 Evo will be quiet and allow for a high overclock on the cheap. I bought the 250GB version of that SSD for $50 during christmas, and I have to say I'm very happy with the purchase. It's in my WinBox pc (used to be a SteamBox, but upgraded to windows) and it's great. Can't be beat for the price.

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stock fan will be a bit loud under high load

 

but still bearable

 

as for the PSU

 

where other brands do the shop carry?

 

 

The shop carries a lot, from Corsair, Cooler Master, Thermaltake and even brands I've never heard of like Huntkey... but yet strangely enough they don't have a SINGLE Power Supply by EVGA. :\

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I'm thinking of using it as a multipurpose rig, where I will mainly be able to do work, gaming and possibly watch movies and listen to music. I chose for a rather high end side as I wanted the PC to last for a long time without having to upgrade that often (I'm looking to use it for 5~10 years).

 

Without being too judgmental... I think your overall rig is fine EXCEPT for the power supply that many have already mentioned. You need a better series. The CX and CS are really bad from Corsair for long-term builds. For productivity and streaming, you will have no issues for 5 to 10 years... except possibly streaming 4k content. You will be able to play 4k videos from your HDD, but I'm a little doubtful you will be able to stream it. Tough to tell right now. However, you will be quite limited for gaming. I suspect that about 3 to 5 years for mainstream games running at lower and lower settings as your video card ages.

 

Get a better power supply, and consider upgrading your video card in 3 to 5 years. Go for 16 GB of ram if you can afford it. I know Just Cause 3 gobbles more than 8 GB just on its own on my system.

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The shop carries a lot, from Corsair, Cooler Master, Thermaltake and even brands I've never heard of like Huntkey... but yet strangely enough they don't have a SINGLE Power Supply by EVGA. :\

Coolermaster VSM

 

do they have those?

Budget? Uses? Currency? Location? Operating System? Peripherals? Monitor? Use PCPartPicker wherever possible. 

Quote whom you're replying to, and set option to follow your topics. Or Else we can't see your reply.

 

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Without being too judgmental... I think your overall rig is fine EXCEPT for the power supply that many have already mentioned. You need a better series. The CX and CS are really bad from Corsair for long-term builds. For productivity and streaming, you will have no issues for 5 to 10 years... except possibly streaming 4k content. You will be able to play 4k videos from your HDD, but I'm a little doubtful you will be able to stream it. Tough to tell right now. However, you will be quite limited for gaming. I suspect that about 3 to 5 years for mainstream games running at lower and lower settings as your video card ages.

 

Get a better power supply, and consider upgrading your video card in 3 to 5 years. Go for 16 GB of ram if you can afford it. I know Just Cause 3 gobbles more than 8 GB just on its own on my system.

 

Right, Thank You for the help and feedback! Really appreciated :)

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They were available, however they are already out of stock :(

ouch

 

those are really good PSUs

 

and damn silent even during normal operation

 

they are the quietest

Budget? Uses? Currency? Location? Operating System? Peripherals? Monitor? Use PCPartPicker wherever possible. 

Quote whom you're replying to, and set option to follow your topics. Or Else we can't see your reply.

 

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Do you have any other possible recommendations?

Corsair HXi will be good but costly

Budget? Uses? Currency? Location? Operating System? Peripherals? Monitor? Use PCPartPicker wherever possible. 

Quote whom you're replying to, and set option to follow your topics. Or Else we can't see your reply.

 

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