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First HTPC configuration ... your opinion?

post #1 of 5
11/11/12 at 7:20pm
Thread Starter 
I am currently doing some research to build my first HTPC. For the moment I use a NAS synology DS210j with Xbox360.

I want to be able to store my movies (2.5 TB), photos, music and powers on my TV (HDMI and streaming with ps3/xbox360)

Case: Bitfenix Prodigy mITX => 79.99 $CAD
Psu: Silverstone Strider Essential ST50F-ES 500W => 56.51 $CAD
Cpu: Intel Core i3 3225 => 94.69 $CAD
Cpu fan: Scythe Shuriken REV.B 3 Heatpipe => 34.99 $CAD
Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-I mITX => 94.69 $CAD
Memory: Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX (2x4Go) => 36.99 $CAD
Disk: OS (WHS 2011) ADATA AS510S3-120GM-C 120GB (SSD) => 78.87 $CAD
Data Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green SATA3 (x4 for RAID5) => 379.96 $CAD (94.99 $CAD / disk)
Dvd drive: Silverstone Slot Loading Slim DVD Combo Optical Drive => 63.81 $CAD
Card Reader: nGear Flash Card Reader 3.5in Internal => 5.20 $CAD
Wifi: ASUS USB-N53 Black Diamond => 34.99 $CAD

I would like to have your opinion on the current configuration that I look for my HTPC.

Thanks,
Christo.
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post #2 of 5
11/11/12 at 7:26pm
So in the end, you just want to stream? you should try to stream with an ethernet cable instead of wifi, more reliable and you can better stream hd content. 8gb of ram is overkill for a htpc but as we speak the price of ram is ridiculous! Else, if you want to cut down the price, a ssd is not obligatory, but is a nice addition. Finally, i would go with an APU build, they are better for htcp in most cases.

Your dvd drive is expensive? does the prodigy only accept slim dvd drive?
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My pc for now
(15 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Intel i5 2500k oc 4.5ghz @1.31v Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-B3 XFX HD radeon 6950 2gb 4gb 1600mhz G.Skill 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Samsung F3 spinpoint OCZ Vertex 3 60 gb Asus Corsair H100 
OSMonitorKeyboardPower
Window 7 64 bits pro Dell u2211h 1080p Black widow Antec EA 750w 
CaseMouse
Corsair 500r black razer imperator 
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post #3 of 5
11/11/12 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
Indeed, the main use is to stream by wireless. My house is big and I can not use the Ethernet cable throughout the house this is why I opted for the solution of wireless.
I did not find dvd slim cheaper.
In fact, the box has a slot 5.25 that I use with a DVD player plus the card reader.
Edited by christo78ca - 11/11/12 at 7:38pm
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post #4 of 5
11/11/12 at 8:09pm
in that case ditch out the usb wireless key for this http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320074

I used it in the past and it was really good. The antenna will provide a signal that the usb key. And dont worry pci x1 fit in a pci x 16 slot.
My pc for now
(15 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Intel i5 2500k oc 4.5ghz @1.31v Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-B3 XFX HD radeon 6950 2gb 4gb 1600mhz G.Skill 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Samsung F3 spinpoint OCZ Vertex 3 60 gb Asus Corsair H100 
OSMonitorKeyboardPower
Window 7 64 bits pro Dell u2211h 1080p Black widow Antec EA 750w 
CaseMouse
Corsair 500r black razer imperator 
View all
  hide details  
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My pc for now
(15 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Intel i5 2500k oc 4.5ghz @1.31v Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-B3 XFX HD radeon 6950 2gb 4gb 1600mhz G.Skill 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Samsung F3 spinpoint OCZ Vertex 3 60 gb Asus Corsair H100 
OSMonitorKeyboardPower
Window 7 64 bits pro Dell u2211h 1080p Black widow Antec EA 750w 
CaseMouse
Corsair 500r black razer imperator 
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post #5 of 5
11/17/12 at 7:29pm
Honestly I found using just windows 7 and getting steam then opting into the beta for steam big picture htpc mode works wonders reminds me alot of 360 GUI and I add all my non steam programs so I can access everything from my controller even web browsing they have a unique joystick typing method I likes
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RAIDMAX Raptor
(15 items)
 
Xbox-killer
(13 items)
 
Xbox 360 killer!
(4 photos)
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AMD zambezi 8120 8-core 3.6 ghz GIGABYTE GA-990FXA Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 OC Patriot Gamer 2 Series 16gig 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
Seagate ST1000 Seagate barracuda ST150 ANTEC Kuhler 620 Windows 7 ultimate 
MonitorPowerCaseMouse
HP 2009M rosewill green power 650W RAIDMAX Raptor Microsoft 5000 
Audio
Realtek integrated/W Dolby live 
View all
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AMD Phenom II X4 925 Msi 785GM-e65 XFX ATI HD 5770 Gskill 
Hard DriveOSCase
Seagate barracuda st150 Windows 7 ult 64x Nmedia 
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