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Thread: New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

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    New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

    Ok, so been out of the field for a while, but looking to now upgrade my home setup. I'm really looking to get a handle on current technology. My needs are pretty common, here's what I'm looking for:

    1. Small form factor - Ideally Slimline Ohanix case.
    2. High definition Video & audio streaming (future upgrade to blueray / hd dvd drive)
    3. DVB-S/C Tuner card in the future.
    4. Possibly run MCE (2005 most likely - maybe Vista)
    5. Ideally 64bit & Hypervisor support
    6. VERY QUIET!
    7. I MEAN SILENT

    So where do I start? I hear that the C2D run cooler then the equivilent AMD's so less need for a fan. I'm looking for as much passive cooling as possible, as my past experience with a Media Center with so called quiet fans, was not exactly that. Is that the case? What about the Quad cores?


    And what Mobo would you suggest? How are the on board HDMI Mobo's? For my needs do I need a powerful graphics card? Not really going to be used for much gaming.

    Thanks for your help
    nme

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    Re: New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

    Only intel uATX board I can think of with onboard HDMI is the ATi fatality here

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=548096

    you can use a quad core with that..the new G0 stepping run nice and cool.

    a case like this would allow you some decent room for a proper HSF to cool it with. You also get full hight graphics cards and not pci risers etc..
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=383009 (actually uses ATX to)

    that way you can use something like this

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=615951
    or this
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=615611

    for a passive graphics card.

    This may fit and would be essentially silent.

    http://www.hydro-powered.co.uk/catal...roducts_id=198

    silent psu
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=446788
    Last edited by staffsMike; 04-09-2007 at 07:17 PM.

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    Re: New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

    If it intends to be viewing HD stuff in the future, your best bet is probably one of the silent HD 2400/2600s as they seem to be the best for HD viewing (i.e. blu-ray stuff etc) AND they come with HDMI connectivity and run cooler than the 8600s as they're 65nm as well. If your not gonna be gaming and its just as a HTPC, quad core might be a bit overkill not to mention it will run hotter than any C2D, and so means a better (and most likely louder cooler), not to mention needing a more powerful PSU.
    Last edited by master811; 04-09-2007 at 08:46 PM.

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    Re: New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

    Athlon X2 BE-2350 are probably the best in terms of running cool
    and therefore quiet

    Im my HTPC i have a X2 4000 65w which runs at around 34c at idle with the cpu fan spinning at 450ish rpm.The case i have is a Antec NSK2400 which is great but the two 120cm fans are a bit noisey.So i replaced them with 2 yate loon fans and ran them on 5v,so they spin at 700rpm.End result very quiet setup!

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    Re: New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

    Hey Guys,

    thanks for the pointers, sorry for not getting back earlier

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    Only intel uATX board I can think of with onboard HDMI is the ATi fatality here

    you can use a quad core with that..the new G0 stepping run nice and cool.

    a case like this would allow you some decent room for a proper HSF to cool it with. You also get full hight graphics cards and not pci risers etc..
    (actually uses ATX to)

    that way you can use something like this

    or this

    for a passive graphics card.

    This may fit and would be essentially silent.


    silent psu
    some great pointers here Mike, though not tooo keen on the case - I was looking at the antec fusion in black, really like the look of that case. I also like the Ahanix 301 at quiet PC, but would really like it if it was in black - What do you guys think of those cases?

    One Question, do I really need HDMI onboard, or am I better off with a dedicated graphics card that can push out hmdi, such as those that master suggests?

    Quote Originally Posted by master811 View Post
    ...silent HD 2400/2600s as they seem to be the best for HD viewing (i.e. blu-ray stuff etc) AND they come with HDMI connectivity and run cooler than the 8600s as they're 65nm as well. If your not gonna be gaming and its just as a HTPC, quad core might be a bit overkill not to mention it will run hotter than any C2D, and so means a better (and most likely louder cooler), not to mention needing a more powerful PSU.
    Thanks Master, I've checked out a couple of reviews on the silent 2400/2600's and they sound pretty much ideal for my scenario - As I understand, they have HDMI out too - thanks

    Quote Originally Posted by steve9999 View Post
    Athlon X2 BE-2350 are probably the best in terms of running cool
    and therefore quiet

    Im my HTPC i have a X2 4000 65w which runs at around 34c at idle with the cpu fan spinning at 450ish rpm.The case i have is a Antec NSK2400 which is great but the two 120cm fans are a bit noisey.So i replaced them with 2 yate loon fans and ran them on 5v,so they spin at 700rpm.End result very quiet setup!
    Hey steve, interesting point - any idea's what the C2D's run at idle? I'm not really au-fait with where Intel sit versus AMD these days, on the whole I've heard that the C2D's are more performant than the AMD equivilent, and also that they run cooler too, but thats mostly from having read various forum comments - What are your thoughts?

    with the above in mind, i'm currently looking at the following:

    uATX Case - Antec Fusion
    Mobo - uATX - Undecided -Not sure whether I need on board HDMI if I go the route of the 2600/2400's.
    Graphics - Radeon 2600/2400
    C2D & Passive cooler - What speed CPU would you say is sufficient for the task and can run passively cooled?
    Silent PSU

    What else do I need to consider for a truly quiet pc?

    thanks once again
    nme
    Last edited by nme_uk; 07-09-2007 at 12:00 AM. Reason: spelling

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    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    Re: New HTPC / SFF Build - Whats current?

    The antec fusion is a good case too..did mean to recommend it lol.

    I personally wouldn't run totally passive on the CPU, A C2D @ stock or undervolted runs around 20 - 25 degrees with a decent cooler like the scythe ninja with 120mm fan (but it is a passive cooler if you desire it to be) My E6600 actually runs at 18 degrees with the ninja

    If it would fit i'd have this I think
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=657369

    It should be awesome and just use a fan controller to keep the speed low (if it's not quiet as it is).

    It's probably better to get a dedicated card for HD output. The ATi's are good for the job

    I have no idea what temps it runs at but this looks good especially on a budget.
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=632512

    Personally prefer nvidia
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=656168
    Last edited by staffsMike; 07-09-2007 at 12:06 AM.

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