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Hardware Building Dream HTPCs: Steiger Dynamics Interview

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Meanmotion, 16 Jan 2014.

  1. Meanmotion

    Meanmotion bleh Moderator

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  2. Jimbob

    Jimbob Minimodder

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    Nice looking units, but IMO a HTPC should look more like a DVD Player or Hifi amp so it blends in with your other devices. One of my favourite looking units was the "Acer iDea 500" I bought a Moneual Moncaso case recently but I noticed they have pulled the plug on those now.

    The big problem with HTPCs is that a persons requirements vary, I have very little storage on mine (120GB SSD) and 4 tuners, where others wmay want a large GPU for gaming use too.
     
  3. bawjaws

    bawjaws Multimodder

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    Nice article. I think the case looks pretty interesting (although it is a bit on the large side) and the LCD screen looks really nice.

    I see that the latest issue of CPC has a review of the case - are bit-tech planning on reviewing it too?
     
  4. Meanmotion

    Meanmotion bleh Moderator

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  5. bawjaws

    bawjaws Multimodder

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    Ah, somehow managed to miss that! Cheers.
     
  6. runadumb

    runadumb What's a Dremel?

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    Its a nice case for sure but the SG04 looks good enough for me.
    I looked up the review you linked to, any news on the new couch master?
     
  7. Maki role

    Maki role Dale you're on a roll... Lover of bit-tech

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    I hope they get round to making a smaller, slimmer version too. I understand that they then wouldn't be able to fit WC gear etc in, but I can imagine there are many out there who like their design but just can't fit something that large in the living room. I actually really like the design they chose, it's both bold, genuinely understated and elegant thanks to the mixture of curves, hard lines and excellent material choices. Aluminium has that great ability to look neutral in both modern and more period environments, unlike the standard black box look that Silverstone recently chose for their new HTPC case. That other one just looks like a VCR from the 90s, no way would I want it visible at all, which is a wasted opportunity to be honest.

    This case looks pretty similar to many high end audio setups, which I quite like. Obviously it's not that exciting, but it's got a nice balance to it. A thinner profile option would be cool though, although I can see the appeal of just having one on show, if only there was enough space to do so.
     
  8. SchizoFrog

    SchizoFrog What's a Dremel?

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    The SG04? You mean the case that looks like a portable shredder? Each to their own I guess.

    As for the case, I'm not a fan. It looks too much like an oversized cassette deck from long ago.
     
  9. jrs77

    jrs77 Modder

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    If I'd be thinking about building a HTPC in such a big expensive case I'd probably go for the OrigenAE S21T, which has a built-in 12" touchscreen.

    The case pretty much looks the same, besiides the TFT.
     
  10. bawjaws

    bawjaws Multimodder

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    I'd actually love to see a smaller version of the LEET Reference case that was about the same height as a hifi amp. 22cm tall is far too big for most people, and although I get that having a really big case allows for a wider range of hardware and watercooling options, it's far too big for my taste. You could slim it down with a smaller LCD display, and a slot-loading optical drive (or better yet, no optical drive?)...
     
  11. runadumb

    runadumb What's a Dremel?

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    DOH! I meant the SG08
     
  12. SchizoFrog

    SchizoFrog What's a Dremel?

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    Ahh... That makes a lot more sense. :)
     
  13. Nexxo

    Nexxo * Prefab Sprout – The King of Rock 'n' Roll

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    Watercooling for an HTPC? Overcomplicate much?

    Personally I prefer my HTPCs lean: passively cooled, low power consumption. It is a device that should be able to run quietly, 24/7 with virtually no maintenance and small electricity bills.
     
  14. jinq-sea

    jinq-sea 'write that down in your copy book' Super Moderator

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    I thought that. You're a fellow HFX owner aren't you, Nexxo? For me, that's the pinnacle of a brilliant HTPC. I've got the Classic, and I love it. Had it for years, and it's had a number of systems in it!

    EDIT: For those not in the know, one of these.
     
  15. blackworx

    blackworx Cable Wrangler

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    No sh*t, Sherlock!
     
  16. Nexxo

    Nexxo * Prefab Sprout – The King of Rock 'n' Roll

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    I am indeed. For me they're one of the few HTPC cases worth considering. Go passive or go home. :thumb:
     
  17. jinq-sea

    jinq-sea 'write that down in your copy book' Super Moderator

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    I recently rebuilt mine - I should do my build log really!
     
  18. BlackRaven

    BlackRaven Freaking printers!

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    These guys can cram a lot of kit in to that box. For example:
    Processor:
    AMD FX-9590,
    5.0 GHz Turbo
    , 8-Core CPU


    CPU Liquid Cooling:
    LEET™ Custom Liquid Cooling for CPU and graphics
    cards, co-developed with Swiftech

    Graphics Card:
    2x AMD
    Radeon R290X
    in CrossFireX

    GPU Liquid Cooling:
    EK Water Blocks EK-FC R9-290X HP full-cover water
    block with black fittings


    Motherboard:
    ASUS
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Motherboard, AMD 990FX
    Chipset


    Memory:
    Kingston HyperX Beast
    32 GB
    2133 MHz Memory


    Power Supply:
    Seasonic Platinum
    1000 Watt
    Power Supply


    LEET™ Custom Power Supply and Drive Cabling


    Drive 1: SSD -
    Kingston HyperX 3K
    240 GB
    Solid State Drive


    Drive 2: SSDH
    – WD Red Storage
    16 TB
    (4x 4.0 TB HDDs)


    Tubing:
    UV-reactive semi-transparent tubing (1/2 x
    ¾
    ) with white Ice Dragon
    Nano Cooling fluid


    Optical Drive:
    Asus BW-12B1ST
    Blu-ray
    Rewriter
     
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