Intentions: Viewing media stored on my main PC and web browsing, as part of a home entertainment setup, along with some light gaming (BeatHazard, Audiosurf, just simple games). Left on the cabinet with the TV, basically. Wireless keyboard and mouse from the lounge chair type of deal. Budget: I'm shooting for less than $400 but it's not a hard limit. What doesn't need included in that: Wireless KB+M, OS, hard drive, optical drives. Specific requests: Wireless is a must (my router only does g so no worries about needing to be n). I'd really prefer that this be onboard so that I can save an expansion slot. MiniITX is also a must, this thing is to be small. I've already got my heart set on a Silverstone Sugo SG06 miniITX case, this can come with either a 300 or 450W PSU, which I get will depend on components and budget. Being quiet is obviously a plus as well, I'm tempted to snag Silverstone's fanless CPU cooler if possible. It's designed to fit fanlessly in the Sugo provided the mobo's CPU socket is in a relatively normal location. And of course, either HDMI or DVI video out. So far I've spec'd: -Athlon II X2 250 (3GHz, AM3, 73W, dual core) $60 -<Brand of choice SO-DIMM RAM> 2GB (single stick, allows for upgrade potential) DDR3 1333 $25 -ASUS M4A88T-I Deluxe (AM3, HD4250 onboard, USB3, HDMI out) $125 -Sugo SG06, either 300W or 450W (I trust their PSUs) $110 or $140 -Silverstone NT06 fanless cooler $50 -I'd like to leave room for a either a decent soundcard or perhaps a dedicated video card if I feel that gaming starts being more of a priority. Not included in the budget. That's $370 with the weaker PSU option, $400 even with the bigger one. Anyone have any advice or suggestions? I'm not terribly savvy on the mini-ITX or HTPC world and have been wondering about what will give the best mix of price to performance along with factors like size and heat. I've also been wondering whether it'd be best to go the Intel route with 1156, or Sandy Bridge and would love if someone more in the scene had any tips.
For a start the 300Watt will be loads. Maybe think of putting in 4gb of ram if you are going to run windows 7. have a look at something like a 5670 aswell, it would be better for HD play back and light gaming.
Oh good, I'd hate to waste $30 on power paranoia. Most of the media the PC will handle would actually be 720p or less, or be audio. Ripped DVDs and music, really. I've got a PS3 to handle my "real" HD playback with Blu-rays which I haven't ripped. BD drives are still expensive enough for me to deal with inserting discs manually each time. Would the integrated graphics be enough for that? I'd then buy a 5670 or whatever the current equivalent is when I start ripping 1080 content. The gaming I think I can live with until a couple paychecks down the road when I may pick up a dedicated card. Just a nifty side thing for when my housemates have guests over and I want to be a loner.
Well people are running 460gtx's on 400 watt PSU's as long as it is a good one your fine. RE: the graphics chip, the onboard may still struggle at the higher res even with games like Audio surf. But it would be worth getting somebody else's opinion on that one.
I've got an 8600GTS and 9500GT at my disposal should the onboard prove to be brutally underpowered and I just can't wait to buy a 5770 or so. A thought I've had is that if I can get away with no card then I could put a big, slow fan on the side to waft air into the case. Been looking at cooler options and have seen that a Scythe Shuriken cooler will fit on this board, and heard but not yet seen that the Big Shuriken will fit as well. They're lower than Silverstone's cooler so they'll certainly fit and the extra air blowing down should be better for the very hot northbridge on this board.
