Recommendations for a family room gaming box

[Jodo]

Just installed a 50" 1080p plasma and have decided that I'd really like to PC game on it.

I don't need a fully fledged HTPC with tuners and recording capability etc, though it will also replace a networked XBMC Xbox. (I'd love to keep it as it has served well, but it can't play our HD holiday footage!)

I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible (of course!) but I'd really like a 4870 (is this even viable in a HTPC case heat-wise/size-wise?).

The outgoing Xbox has a 160gb drive which I can re-use so I really just need CPU, mainboard, memory and HTPC case recommendations (and gfx card if the 4870 would be a no go).

[mac124]

Case wise some of the Silverstone Lascala HTPC range can take full size atx mobo's, and corresponding hardware ie full size gfx cards, however if they over hang the mobo you maybe pushing your luck, so this maybe a good place to start looking, they aren't exactly cheap but seeing as you invested in a 50" screen i guess you don't mind spending a few bob

http://www.silverstonetek.com/ click on the htpc/desktop chassis top left. LC range are the ones you may be interested in.

[staffsMike]

Antec NSK2480 + 380W Earthwatts makes good sense as a HTPC case, costs about £70 all in.

Fits uATX boards, AMD 780G is always good, stick a 7750 X2 for £60 and 4GB Pc6400 (try to get cas 4 for AMD). The 4870 will work ok in that case if it fits which it won't if it's over 9.6".

If you can live without a desktop/ htpc case then the NSK3480 or Silverstone TJ08 make more sense for a graphics cards like that as they are uATX towers. Still very small but fantastic airflow.

[Jodo]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Sorry, had to go away for a few days.

I've been thinking again, and because my tax is due in the next couple of weeks, I want to keep the cost to a minumum.

I was thinking of ripping this box apart and using the processor, mobo and memory in the HTPC as I can go back to a P4 3.2 for this box. (moving the gaming onto the HTPC means this box will only be used for business, web browsing and email).

staffsMike, I like the look of the Antec NSK2480 but if I do the above I can't use it because the mobo is ATX. Out of interest though, I don't know anything about these 80 plus PSU's. Would it run a Q6600 and a 4870 or would I need another in there?

Also, I forgot to ask about noise. Fan noise in gaming wouldn't be a problem, but are stock 4870's too loud for movie watching? And I'd also need to get a quiet cooler for the CPU as the Zalman wouldn't fit. Any suggestions?

It's a shame Antec don't do one that'll take an ATX, I really do like the look of that Might look at getting a uATX mobo.

I'd go for one of the mATX cases quite happily, but the wife would just see a PC sat there.

[staffsMike]

So the Q6600 mobo RAM and x1950/HD4870 go into the HTPC?

Full ATX cases are certainly not cheap in desktop/HTPC world.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...-case-(w-o-PSU)
http://www.silverstonetek.com/produc...=lc17&area=usa some pics of it, looks very nice. Just need to get some very quiet 80mm's and maybe a 92mm as well to make sure the graphics card had some fresh air.

You will fit at least a scythe ninja mini in that case as well so you have cool and quiet options for CPU cooling. The zalman may well fit in there though, I'm sure thats what you usually see in them tbh.

I'd also think about quiet HDD mounting kits as well as that looks like a screw fitting to me.

Cheapest I can think of anyway, without going superbly ugly.

Then there is this
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...e-(Without-PSU)

HD4870's run very hot all the time due to the fan not ramping up at idle so it shouldn't be a massive problem. I'd say the GTX260 would perhaps be better on noise and temps but maybe not performance.

You're looking at at least £100 for the case and a worthy PSU to run that though. Tbh it might be pushing the 380W earthwatts a little too hard anyway although well within it's supposed output I should think.