Converting sig rig to HTPC--what do you think? - Overclock.net

PeaceMaker · 09-21-09

Hey guys,

Thinking about converting my sig into an HTPC and use my laptop for everything else.

My Cart
Remote: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880121003
CPU HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103041
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163055

Goals/Uses
-Energy efficient (relative to other PCs)
-Quiet
-Cost effective (hence using my sig rig)
-Multimedia (mainly movies)
-Gaming (Grid, few other FPS')

Case
I am thinking about switching to this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163055

GPU
Hoping to use my 8800GTX but I'm fearful that it will be noisy... if I can't keep it under control w/ RivaTuner then I will opt for this (passively):
http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=82796 (anyone know a cheaper solution?)

CPU Cooling
And I'm going to cross my fingers and hope the TT120 fits in here...

Hard Drives
2x1TB Samsung Spinpoint F1
2x320GB 7200.10 (Seagate)
--Just realized, I can't even fit this many HD's...

PSU
Thinking about switching to this one for silence and energy saving:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151077

Non-noisy components
XtremeMusic
HVR-2250

What do you guys think?

Chaos Assasson · 09-21-09

That sounds like an excellent idea.

PeaceMaker · 09-21-09

Thanks, but any answers to my questions? Will this whole thing work?

the_beast · 09-22-09

It will work just fine.

If you intend to drop power consumption lose the overclock on the cpu.

If gaming is not all that important buy an ATI HD4350 for less than the gpu cooler.

You should be fine with 4 disks - the case will hold 6. But the fewer disks you have the quieter it will end up. If you can soft mount or suspend the disks things will be better still.

The new psu you chose probably won't end up that much better (quieter or more efficient) than the one you have now (although I haven't checked the efficiency curves of the Seasonic, and it's a while since I checked the Corsair - just going from memory). I probably wouldn't bother changing it.

firestormcomputers · 09-22-09

A lot of power for an HTPC if you ask me.

PeaceMaker · 09-22-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_beast

If you intend to drop power consumption lose the overclock on the cpu.

I'm only drawing stock volts... (see sig stats) so I don't think this would be an issue. I was planning on dropping it in either case to 2.8, maybe 3.0.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_beast

If gaming is not all that important buy an ATI HD4350 for less than the gpu cooler.

I am planning on gaming (moderate/light). I want to be able to play Grid and maybe Crysis a little bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_beast

You should be fine with 4 disks - the case will hold 6. But the fewer disks you have the quieter it will end up. If you can soft mount or suspend the disks things will be better still.

The issue is, I plan on using my 8800GTX, thus I will have to remove that middle cage. Now idk what to do with my HD setup. I currently have,
2x320gb 7200.10
1x320gb WD AAJS (temporarily my C:\)
2x1TB Spinpoint F1's

I'm sure they sell soft mount kits somewhere, right? Hopefully newegg...

As for the PSU, I think I'm going to keep it.

PeaceMaker · 09-22-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by firestormcomputers

A lot of power for an HTPC if you ask me.

Hah.... yeah.... but it's also cheaper than spending money on a whole new rig... Plus, I can spend less cash on just a new case and accessories I would have had to buy anyway.

the_beast · 09-22-09

If you're at stock volts, drop the overclock (or even underclock), then use the headroom to undervolt. You will save a lot of power. I don't really game, so not sure how it will affect you, but your gpu should be taking most of the strain anyhow so I imagine it won't have much impact anywhere but on the power consumed. Less power = less noise (from the cpu fan, the case fans & the psu), not to mention the cheaper electric bill.

If you do want to game than that cooler should be fine. You could also look at the AC Accelero coolers, although check the height of your case first (in fact you should probably double check the TR cooler too...).

You best bet to soft-mount the disks is the 5.25" bays. If you need an optical drive, you can just softmount the OS drive in the second bay as that is the one that will make the most annoying noises. I would then remove the second 3.5" bay too, and try and softmount the whole cage roughly in the same position it is in now. You will be unlikely to find a kit for this though, and might have to get creative.

the_beast · 09-22-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeaceMaker

Hah.... yeah.... but it's also cheaper than spending money on a whole new rig... Plus, I can spend less cash on just a new case and accessories I would have had to buy anyway.

Cheaper & way more environmentally friendly too...

PeaceMaker · 09-22-09

Updated items that I am considering buying.

Were u being sarcastic?

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Converting sig rig to HTPC--what do you think?

09-22-09	#4 (permalink)
the_beast Mobo Master Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,065 Rep: 147 Unique Rep: 101 Trader Rating: 0	It will work just fine. If you intend to drop power consumption lose the overclock on the cpu. If gaming is not all that important buy an ATI HD4350 for less than the gpu cooler. You should be fine with 4 disks - the case will hold 6. But the fewer disks you have the quieter it will end up. If you can soft mount or suspend the disks things will be better still. The new psu you chose probably won't end up that much better (quieter or more efficient) than the one you have now (although I haven't checked the efficiency curves of the Seasonic, and it's a while since I checked the Corsair - just going from memory). I probably wouldn't bother changing it.

09-22-09	#8 (permalink)
the_beast Mobo Master Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,065 Rep: 147 Unique Rep: 101 Trader Rating: 0	If you're at stock volts, drop the overclock (or even underclock), then use the headroom to undervolt. You will save a lot of power. I don't really game, so not sure how it will affect you, but your gpu should be taking most of the strain anyhow so I imagine it won't have much impact anywhere but on the power consumed. Less power = less noise (from the cpu fan, the case fans & the psu), not to mention the cheaper electric bill. If you do want to game than that cooler should be fine. You could also look at the AC Accelero coolers, although check the height of your case first (in fact you should probably double check the TR cooler too...). You best bet to soft-mount the disks is the 5.25" bays. If you need an optical drive, you can just softmount the OS drive in the second bay as that is the one that will make the most annoying noises. I would then remove the second 3.5" bay too, and try and softmount the whole cage roughly in the same position it is in now. You will be unlikely to find a kit for this though, and might have to get creative.

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