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HTPC HTPC Power Supply & Graphics

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by badders, 29 Jul 2008.

  1. badders

    badders Neuken in de Keuken

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    I'm in the process of building an el-cheapo HTPC for the living room, for movies and light gaming (GRiD/AudioSurf/Others...)

    The only two things I don't have are the Power Supply and Graphics Card.

    For the GFX, I'm thinking an 8600GTS or a HD3850 - my TV can only cope with 1024x768, so these should handle most games perfectly until I get a new TV (ages away) right?

    Does anyone have experience with both? Which stock cooler is quieter?

    Power supply - I need this to be above all Quiet.
    It has to power:
    C2D e2160
    80Gb Seagate HDD
    Asrock conroe-1333
    2GB Corsair 667 RAM
    Optical Drive (Will probably be upgraded to Blu-ray eventually)
    And one of the above cards.

    I'm not looking to spend Mega-money - the whole PC's only cost me £80 so far, but I do want a unit that' not going to take all the components with it in a ball of flame.

    Any Suggestions?
     
    badders, 29 Jul 2008
    #1
  2. bigsharn

    bigsharn Officially demotivated

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    Well I'm not sure about the PSU, because most of my builds have been all from unbranded PSUs (they're only for P3/Duron/Athlon systems, so don't kill me)

    But I have been looking at graphics cards for my HTPC, and I found this:
    (Insert porno pic like they do on Top gear)

    ...And I also found this:
    [ http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=661335 ]

    that's the cheapest 8600 I've seen, but they can still hit £140 in some places

    I'm using the 8500GT [ http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129968 ] for mine, because I need VGA out, but this might still help you:)
     
    bigsharn, 29 Jul 2008
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  3. lamboman

    lamboman What's a Dremel?

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    The graphics card that bigsharn chose was good. But, if you are going to be playing games, you might want to buy something a little more powerful.

    As for the power supply, the Corsair VX450 is really the only one that I would recommend. The main reason being, £45 is a small price for a great power supply. You won't really find anything better value than that.
     
    lamboman, 29 Jul 2008
    #3
  4. bigsharn

    bigsharn Officially demotivated

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    Only doing as I was told:waah:
     
    bigsharn, 29 Jul 2008
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  5. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    Corsair VX450 or Enermax Pro82+ 385w - either one would be bullet proof in use and virtually silent
     
    Mister_Tad, 29 Jul 2008
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  6. Guest-16

    Guest-16 Guest

    I use a VX550 in my own home one and can't hear it. We have to use a cathode to tell if it's actually on. An ultra low power be quiet! (like reviewed today) should be quieter with an FDB fan in it.
     
    Guest-16, 29 Jul 2008
    #6
  7. badders

    badders Neuken in de Keuken

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    Cheers Everyone - It's almost confirmed what I had suspected.
    Bigsharn - that's a good price for that card, and silent, too.
    It should be enough for my needs - As I say, the Resolution will never go above 1024x768, so it doesn't need that much grunt.

    As for the power supply, I think I might go with the VX450. The VX550 is overkill for my needs - I have one of those powering my Main rig(in Signature), but it is quiet, and definitely good quality.

    Thanks for all your help everyone.
     
    badders, 30 Jul 2008
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