Hi, please rate & review my future-proofed silent HTPC build!

[wazzickle]

All new components. Aiming for completely silent and low power; allowing for the possibility of an optical drive in the future which obviously won't be silent but hey-ho.

Short-term uses will be limited to 1080p HTPC (thinking about dual-booting W10 & Kodibuntu but need to educate myself further) but would like the option of 4k playback down the line. In the long term I'd like the option to use this or parts from it as part of a more powerful business machine, as one day I'm going to be rich and successful from running my own business.

CPU: Intel Core i3-6300 3.8GHz Dual-Core Processor

MOBO: Asus H170I-PLUS D3 Mini ITX

GPU: Integrated

RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866

SSD: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5"

HDD: external WD MyBook 3.0 TB USB3 (already own)

Case: Streacom FC8OD Alpha

PSU: Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT

...

Was considering the t version of the CPU as it's lower TDP but it's more expensive and less powerful and this case says it can handle up to 95 TDP (though reviews say less) and the regular 6300 is 47w anyway. Strongly considering learning how to downclock.

RAM: why on earth not when it's so cheap.

SSD: going back and forth on this, if I had oodles more £ I would spring for a 950 Pro M.2 but apparently they run very hot and the performance increase doesn't seem justified even if this mobo can exploit NVMe. Considering that I should just get the M.2 850 evo because of both future expansion possibilities given my limited PSU. Also thinking I should spring for 240GB for the sake of dualbooting.

I currently own ~ 0 blu-rays and have no intention of gaming but have left that possibility open with the optical slot-loading FC8OD.

Will be plugging my Onkyo Home Theatre system and (for now) crappy 30" tv into it.

Think this is my 10th full build so feel like I should make it special.

[EndlessWaves]

would like the option of 4k playback down the line.

TV Companies haven't been terribly enthusiastic about DisplayPort so you may want to check whether there are any HDMI 2.0 motherboards within a reasonable price range (I'd expect DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 converters to remain fairly expensive for the next couple of years).

In the long term I'd like the option to use this or parts from it as part of a more powerful business machine, as one day I'm going to be rich and successful from running my own business.

Then ideally you want a DDR4 motherboard

Was considering the t version of the CPU as it's lower TDP but it's more expensive and less powerful and this case says it can handle up to 95 TDP (though reviews say less) and the regular 6300 is 47w anyway. Strongly considering learning how to downclock.

They're generally pretty pointless for home users as they're no more energy efficient, just the same chips at lower clockspeeds.

Also thinking I should spring for 240GB for the sake of dualbooting.

Oh definitely, given how overpriced Samsung's SSDs are at the moment you wouldn't even spend any more money.

Don't forget to buy an AC power supply, not every place selling the DC-DC converters (PicoPSUs) include them.

[Bonebreaker777]

Club 3D has CAC-1070 (DP 1.2-to-HDMI 2.0). Around £40 Not sure how many motherboards have a HDMI 2.0 these days.

Agree about the T verion of the CPU, it's only capping the upper consumption via lower clock speed. At low utilization most CPUs from the same family will have the same characteristics (both thermal & energy).

Also, order a power brick quite early. Otherwise you will have to wait for it. Or make sure your picoPSU comes with one.

[wazzickle]

Thanks guys.

OK so upgrading to a Z170i - seems to have some pretty grand reviews.

Swapping the 120 ssd for a 240. Given a pico isn't particularly flush with power connectors, would it be a good idea to go for the M.2 version for the sake of future expandability?

[wazzickle]

Regarding the power brick - can I not simply recycle an old laptop one?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Regarding the power brick - can I not simply recycle an old laptop one?

Don't skimp on the power block - its where the AC-DC conversion is taking place.

[EndlessWaves]

Regarding the power brick - can I not simply recycle an old laptop one?

Not many laptop power bricks are rated to handle 160W continuous and 200W peak. Even going back a few years they tended to be sub-90W, these days most are sub-60W. If you've had big workstation/entertainment/gaming laptops in the past it's possible you may have something appropriate.

It would also have to be the right voltage. That 160W PicoPSU is only rated to accept 12V and many laptop power bricks output 19V. That's less of a problem as other brands of DC-DC PSUs (particularly those designed for car PCs) will work on a wider range.

And having the physical connector match is a bonus.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Not many laptop power bricks are rated to handle 160W continuous and 200W peak. Even going back a few years they tended to be sub-90W, these days most are sub-60W. If you've had big workstation/entertainment/gaming laptops in the past it's possible you may have something appropriate.

It would also have to be the right voltage. That 160W PicoPSU is only rated to accept 12V and many laptop power bricks output 19V. That's less of a problem as other brands of DC-DC PSUs (particularly those designed for car PCs) will work on a wider range.

And having the physical connector match is a bonus.

There is actually one older Dell 200W jobbie but it needs the connector to be modded IIRC.

[Bonebreaker777]

Rather good quality 120W power bricks are available from China. Got one recently myself. For HTPC purposes also. 12V @ 10Amp = 120W. Right now powering a power circuit designed for 120W tops in a PowerCool Q6 case. All for £8 - which is a bargain!

[wazzickle]

Definitely do not recommend this case unless you know the heatpipes will be compatible with the motherboard out the box. I spent the better part of a day with a pair of pliers trying to mod them to fit. The case is otherwise good (not tested cooling yet), but make sure you've seen an example of the specific motherboard you want before you buy.

Lights are all on and I'm in the bios, just waiting for a W10 key and some more knowledge about kodibuntu and dualboot before I proceed.

[wazzickle]

Changed motherboard to allow for DDR4, then obv changed the RAM, and also decided to go with an M.2 SSD for the sake of both speed and the fact that I've only got one SATA power connector with this PSU.

Final build specs:

CPU
£116.99
Intel Core i3-6300 3.8GHz Dual-Core

MOTHERBOARD
£127.98
Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151

MEMORY
£59.60
Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133

STORAGE
£77.42
Samsung 850 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 SSD

CUSTOM
£138.49
Streacom FC8OD Silver Fanless HTPC with slot-loading optical drive

CUSTOM
£41.68
Mini-Box picoPSU-160W

CUSTOM
£23.99
LEICKE PSU Power Supply

CUSTOM
£42.43
CA30N Slot-loading BD-ROM/DVD Rewriter

CUSTOM
£22.99
Flirc SE Universal Remote IR Receiver

TOTAL: £651.57

Definitely do not recommend this case unless you know the heatpipes will be compatible with the motherboard out the box. I spent the better part of a day with a pair of pliers trying to mod them to fit. The case is otherwise good (not tested cooling yet), but make sure you've seen an example of the specific motherboard you want before you buy.

Lights are all on and I'm in the bios, just waiting for a W10 key and some more knowledge about kodibuntu and dualboot before I proceed.

Full details here http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-mods...ss-silent.html

[Bonebreaker777]

The only one SATA power would be the least of your problems, especially financially (splitter for £0.99).
At this point one does wonder, will you go for LAN connection or later (maybe) add the wireless option - if add it at all?

[wazzickle]

The only one SATA power would be the least of your problems, especially financially (splitter for £0.99).
At this point one does wonder, will you go for LAN connection or later (maybe) add the wireless option - if add it at all?

This motherboard comes with on-board wifi and bluetooth.

[Bonebreaker777]

If it does, fair enough.