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Forums - PC Discussion - New HTPC/Steambox build. Suggestions/constructive cmments welcome/needed.

-CraZed- on 11 July 2014

So my wife surprised me with an offer to buy me a Surface Pro 3 (I bought her a Surface PRO for school a while back). I chose the i7 variant initially that with type cover etc. runs about $1700. But over the last week or so I have been getting the PC building bug and now I am hoping to comprimise with her over paying for a cheap HTPC/Steambox build and getting a cheaper $999 i5 variant. My goal is to get as close to that $1700 with both as possible. Right now I'm a bit over but I'm sure I could convince the wife to allow for that extra expense ;)

I want to use it to obviously play my games on the big screen and stream games to that lovely Suface Pro 3 (and our other devices as well like my g73jh that runs Far Cry 3 like crap) as well as the usual HTPC uses.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($117.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card  ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Silverstone GD07B (Black) HTPC Case  ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Other: TV Tuner
Total: $891.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

For those astute readers I left out a HDD because I have several usable 2.5" HDDs that will do nicely in a simple RAID array and it cuts a bit of cost.

I haven't built a PC in over 4 years  since my laptop lasted me so well and I have been doing a lot of research and drooling over PC components so any suggestions or comments would be helpful. Also if anyone has suggestions on HTPC media/DVR software they prefer to use like TVersity, XBMC, MythTV et.c that would be most helpful.



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vivster on 11 July 2014

A lot of problems with this setup.
Don't have time yet to go into detail(give me an hour or so) but here my main question:

How important is noise for you? Because this build looks like it will blow out your walls.



If you demand respect or gratitude for your volunteer work, you're doing volunteering wrong.

-CraZed- on 11 July 2014
vivster said:
A lot of problems with this setup.
Don't have time yet to go into detail(give me an hour or so) but here my main question:

How important is noise for you? Because this build looks like it will blow out your walls.

Yeah it'll be a bit cramped but I have seen similar builds with the smaller Silverstone cases with the 280X included. It comes stock with just three 120mm fans as it is setup for positive pressure so perhaps adding a few more fans and giving it a push/pull effect could help keep the fanspeds down? Would increase idle noise but could prevent the load noise from getting to loud. Maybe some Noctua fans? Lots of options as far as noise mitigation goes.

Maybe back offon the CPU and go with an i5-3570k or 4670/4690? But then the cost will go up plus I wonder how well streaming my games will do?



vivster on 11 July 2014
-CraZed- said:
vivster said:
A lot of problems with this setup.
Don't have time yet to go into detail(give me an hour or so) but here my main question:

How important is noise for you? Because this build looks like it will blow out your walls.

Yeah it'll be a bit cramped but I have seen similar builds with the smaller Silverstone cases with the 280X included. Tons of fans on the case so yeah it has the potential to be a bit on the noisy side but then my only other option is a bigger case which won't fit in with my setup at all. The case is pretty big for what it is so its a possibility that I wouldn't need to run every single fan in it or a fan controller could help with that (though that isn't the most elegant solution) so I could most likely get a good compromise.

Maybe back off and go with an i5-3570k or 4670/4690? But then the cost will go up plus I wonder how well streaming my games will do?

Yes, definitely go for an Intel and a proper air cooling solution.

If you don't want to spend more on a CPU than what you currently planned I recommend a 3570( k). It's stronger than the FX-8350 and a lot cooler.

I don't know what you have an experience with liquid cooling, but usually they're designed to keep a chip cool and not necessarily quiet. A good air cooling beats any AIO liquid cooling.



If you demand respect or gratitude for your volunteer work, you're doing volunteering wrong.

-CraZed- on 11 July 2014
vivster said:
-CraZed- said:
vivster said:
A lot of problems with this setup.
Don't have time yet to go into detail(give me an hour or so) but here my main question:

How important is noise for you? Because this build looks like it will blow out your walls.

Yeah it'll be a bit cramped but I have seen similar builds with the smaller Silverstone cases with the 280X included. Tons of fans on the case so yeah it has the potential to be a bit on the noisy side but then my only other option is a bigger case which won't fit in with my setup at all. The case is pretty big for what it is so its a possibility that I wouldn't need to run every single fan in it or a fan controller could help with that (though that isn't the most elegant solution) so I could most likely get a good compromise.

Maybe back off and go with an i5-3570k or 4670/4690? But then the cost will go up plus I wonder how well streaming my games will do?

Yes, definitely go for an Intel and a proper air cooling solution.

If you don't want to spend more on a CPU than what you currently planned I recommend a 3570( k). It's stronger than the FX-8350 and a lot cooler.

I don't know what you have an experience with liquid cooling, but usually they're designed to keep a chip cool and not necessarily quiet. A good air cooling beats any AIO liquid cooling.

So was leaning towards the FX due to its price point but after reflecting a bit the price isn't that much better and yeah its TDP is much higher than than a comparable intel proc so I think your suggestion is right on. But I think I might drop in a 4670k though it supposedly runs a tad bit hotter than the 3570k it hs some better benchmarks and is a bit cheaper.

That said I think I'll also take your advice and switch the cooler out as well since the cpu won't be as hot. Only reason I chose a liquid cooler was due to the heat on the FX chip. Thanks for the advice.

Oh what about AMDs APUs? Anyone using one of those?



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QuintonMcLeod on 11 July 2014
-CraZed- said:
vivster said:
-CraZed- said:
vivster said:
A lot of problems with this setup.
Don't have time yet to go into detail(give me an hour or so) but here my main question:

How important is noise for you? Because this build looks like it will blow out your walls.

Yeah it'll be a bit cramped but I have seen similar builds with the smaller Silverstone cases with the 280X included. Tons of fans on the case so yeah it has the potential to be a bit on the noisy side but then my only other option is a bigger case which won't fit in with my setup at all. The case is pretty big for what it is so its a possibility that I wouldn't need to run every single fan in it or a fan controller could help with that (though that isn't the most elegant solution) so I could most likely get a good compromise.

Maybe back off and go with an i5-3570k or 4670/4690? But then the cost will go up plus I wonder how well streaming my games will do?

Yes, definitely go for an Intel and a proper air cooling solution.

If you don't want to spend more on a CPU than what you currently planned I recommend a 3570( k). It's stronger than the FX-8350 and a lot cooler.

I don't know what you have an experience with liquid cooling, but usually they're designed to keep a chip cool and not necessarily quiet. A good air cooling beats any AIO liquid cooling.

So was leaning towards the FX due to its price point but after reflecting a bit the price isn't that much better and yeah its TDP is much higher than than a comparable intel proc so I think your suggestion is right on. But I think I might drop in a 4670k though it supposedly runs a tad bit hotter than the 3570k it hs some better benchmarks and is a bit cheaper.

That said I think I'll also take your advice and switch the cooler out as well since the cpu won't be as hot. Only reason I chose a liquid cooler was due to the heat on the FX chip. Thanks for the advice.

Oh what about AMDs APUs? Anyone using one of those?

I've built multiple APU machines. I've even built an HTPC that boots XBMC via Network Boot (PXE). 

I've also built a Steambox. My Steambox runs 2 x R9 290s. It's very nice, but attempting to run XBMC software on it will be rather annoying and with your current set up, you're going to be disappointed. Let me explain:

Currently, I use my smartphone and tablets as remote controls for my HTPCs (I have two of them that boot via PXE). My gf finds this set up very easy to approach, so, therefore, she likes to use them both to watch movies or stream shows. My Steambox boots directly into the steam Big Picture mode (Windows Explorer had been disabled via the registry). The only way to control it is via my PS3 controller which is hooked up wirelessly via Bluetooth - that way it feels more like a console experience.

Now here is your problem: Your current set up will require a mouse and keyboard to function properly. Once you have a mouse and keyboard, it'll pull you from the experience.  My Steambox sometimes needs to be configured for particular games which requires a mouse and keyboard to do. You'll certainly need a mouse and keyboard to switch from Steam and XBMC (unless you install a certain XBMC plugin - but it's not 100%). So, essentially what you'll have on your hands is just... Well... A PC. If you want to convince your wife of this, you should make a dedicated HTPC and a dedicated Steambox. An HTPC is very cheap to make. A Steambox may not be.



vivster on 11 July 2014

AMD APUs are quite good when it comes to efficiency. They do lack cpu power and the gpu is very limited. I would only choose those if you want a build without dedicated gpu and have a really low standard for graphics.
The best APU currently is about half a strong as a lower mid tier dedicated gpu.

280x is a good chip for your needs though I'm not so hot about XFX. Not really a manufacturer praised for high performance or low noise. If you have the money I would opt to Gigabyte, ASUS or Sapphire Vapor-x.



If you demand respect or gratitude for your volunteer work, you're doing volunteering wrong.

-CraZed- on 11 July 2014
QuintonMcLeod said:
-CraZed- said:
vivster said:
-CraZed- said:
vivster said:
A lot of problems with this setup.
Don't have time yet to go into detail(give me an hour or so) but here my main question:

How important is noise for you? Because this build looks like it will blow out your walls.

Yeah it'll be a bit cramped but I have seen similar builds with the smaller Silverstone cases with the 280X included. Tons of fans on the case so yeah it has the potential to be a bit on the noisy side but then my only other option is a bigger case which won't fit in with my setup at all. The case is pretty big for what it is so its a possibility that I wouldn't need to run every single fan in it or a fan controller could help with that (though that isn't the most elegant solution) so I could most likely get a good compromise.

Maybe back off and go with an i5-3570k or 4670/4690? But then the cost will go up plus I wonder how well streaming my games will do?

Yes, definitely go for an Intel and a proper air cooling solution.

If you don't want to spend more on a CPU than what you currently planned I recommend a 3570( k). It's stronger than the FX-8350 and a lot cooler.

I don't know what you have an experience with liquid cooling, but usually they're designed to keep a chip cool and not necessarily quiet. A good air cooling beats any AIO liquid cooling.

So was leaning towards the FX due to its price point but after reflecting a bit the price isn't that much better and yeah its TDP is much higher than than a comparable intel proc so I think your suggestion is right on. But I think I might drop in a 4670k though it supposedly runs a tad bit hotter than the 3570k it hs some better benchmarks and is a bit cheaper.

That said I think I'll also take your advice and switch the cooler out as well since the cpu won't be as hot. Only reason I chose a liquid cooler was due to the heat on the FX chip. Thanks for the advice.

Oh what about AMDs APUs? Anyone using one of those?

I've built multiple APU machines. I've even built an HTPC that boots XBMC via Network Boot (PXE). 

I've also built a Steambox. My Steambox runs 2 x R9 290s. It's very nice, but attempting to run XBMC software on it will be rather annoying and with your current set up, you're going to be disappointed. Let me explain:

Currently, I use my smartphone and tablets as remote controls for my HTPCs (I have two of them that boot via PXE). My gf finds this set up very easy to approach, so, therefore, she likes to use them both to watch movies or stream shows. My Steambox boots directly into the steam Big Picture mode (Windows Explorer had been disabled via the registry). The only way to control it is via my PS3 controller which is hooked up wirelessly via Bluetooth - that way it feels more like a console experience.

Now here is your problem: Your current set up will require a mouse and keyboard to function properly. Once you have a mouse and keyboard, it'll pull you from the experience.  My Steambox sometimes needs to be configured for particular games which requires a mouse and keyboard to do. You'll certainly need a mouse and keyboard to switch from Steam and XBMC (unless you install a certain XBMC plugin - but it's not 100%). So, essentially what you'll have on your hands is just... Well... A PC. If you want to convince your wife of this, you should make a dedicated HTPC and a dedicated Steambox. An HTPC is very cheap to make. A Steambox may not be.

A great suggestion but I just can't swing that. My wife really wouldn't care about the PC interface and M+KB because shes's just as nerdy as I am. Plus we'll be playing M+KB games anyways. Though I do like the idea of booting idrectly into XBMC or SteamOS and integrating one into the other. I'm cool with doing some scrpting etc. to get it to work but I get what you are saying.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Should help me out a lot.