Cheap New Build (First Build)

[jase888]

Hi,

Similar to the post below I am creating a new build, however mine is to a smaller budget as it is just for a tv downstairs for browsing, watching films, kinda like a home theatre system.

Any way I'm looking at these components and with this been my first build I'm unsure weather they go or not and if they will fit within a micro atx case?



Black Micro ATX Case (with 500w psu)
Black Micro ATX Case With 500W PSU | Ebuyer.com

Intel pentium G620 2.6GHz 1155 3MB
Intel Pentium G620 2.6GHz Socket 1155 3MB L3 Cache.. | Ebuyer.com

Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2PV H61 Socket 1155 Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2PV H61 Socket 1155 7.1 Channel HD.. | Ebuyer.com

Corsair 4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
Corsair 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Module CL9(9-9-9-24.. | Ebuyer.com

WD 500GB Blue Mobile Drive
WD 500GB 2.5" SATA-II Scorpio Blue Hard Drive.. | Ebuyer.com


From what i have read that processor is good enough to cope with hd video and there wont be any gaming or high spec gaming been done on the pc so no need for gpu. Has anyone used that case before and know if the psu is quiet?

Just want any advice on if i missed any components off other than dvd drive.

[nickslick74]

Seems like a perfectly reasonable HTPC and should handle everything that you require of it.

Can't say about the case, never heard of the brand. I'm usually pretty leary of inexpensive cases with power supplies, but your system won't demand much from the power supply, so you should be okay.

[jase888]

Thanks for the reply nick, will those components work with one another and how do you know which components will work together?

Also i know you not heard of case but for the components im using will they fit in micro atx case, ive seen cpu has a bigish fan and just want to make sure or are micro atx cases designed for specific parts?

[nickslick74]

Yup, those components are all compatible. Motherboard is socket 1155 and supports the new Intel Pentium processors, and the motherboard is DDR3 memory capable and supports the speed of the memory.

The heatsink and fan for the processor should fit in the case fine, the stock heatsink/fan setup isn't that big. And yep, the motherboard is designed to fit in an mATX case.

One thing to consider is that the motherboard you selected has 2 RAM slots, though you selected one 4GB stick of RAM. This would not allow you to run your memory in dual channel mode, though that might not be a big deal since your just using this rig as an HTPC. The speed difference between dual and single channel memory mode probably won't affect your useage.

[jase888]

Thats a great help, still not 100% on the case as i might buy a cheap one and corsair psu as ive heard there quiet.

Thought the ram was 2 x 2gb not one didnt look or read carefully, il get some ram for dual channel as woyluld prefer that, but know what to look for now.

Just incase i decide to upgrade in future and add a graphics card, how do you know which fit in micro atx cases do they say, as cant see anything.

[nickslick74]

As long as you don't get a top-of-the-line graphics card, a mATX case should fit normal sized cards (as in low to mid range cards performance-wise). Each case does vary some in size, so knowing what will fit right now isn't a sure thing.

If you do want to add a gpu in the future, getting a Corsair (or equally high quality power supply) is definitely a good idea. Though since it is a smaller case, a 400 or so watt power supply (if it's a good brand) will be plenty for your setup.

[jase888]

Just been looking and realised that there isnt a hdmi port which i was going to use to connect to the tv, so I'll be getting a gpu now, only a cheap one though.

Thanks for the help man

[nickslick74]

You're welcome! Don't hesitate to post more questions.

[ShyguyXPC]

That CPU, RAM, HDD.


This Mobo: Biostar TH61 ITX SKT 1155 VGA DVI HDMI 8 Channel Audio.. | Ebuyer.com

This Case (Display item, sold cheaper than regular price): EXDISPLAY Coolermaster Elite 120 Advanced Mini ITX Case | Ebuyer.com

Or these cases:

CIT MTX-003B Black ITX Case 300W PSU | Ebuyer.com

Piano Black Mini ITX Cube Case - With 300W PSU | Ebuyer.com

Thermaltake Element Q Mini ITX Case with 220W PSU | Ebuyer.com

as the PSU's should be enough for the parts above.

the Coolermaster would be the best IMO, though it is larger, as it can easily be adapted later on in the PC's life to be used as a small gaming PC, if that should ever be a need (it can accept full size and length dual slot cards, as well as full size PSU's as long as their not too deep/long)

But would require you to put in a separate PSU as well into that parts list.


The Thermaltake isn't too bad, but room for CPU cooler is just barely enough with the PSU over it. I have an Apex Brand case, thats basically the same exact thing, minus the front handle piece, has the same PSU, just branded Apex instead.

But one of those other ones might be a bit more room inside since they do seem a bit taller as well.

But from the sound of what your needing, a small Mini ITX build might be what you want, as the cases are much smaller, and able to tuck out of the way, which is perfect for Home Theater Builds.

[ShyguyXPC]

motherboard on that Mini ITX board I posted above, has HDMI

[jase888]

Thanks for the detailed answer shyguy, i have literally just been looking at that exdisplay coolmaster case and think im going to get that and go from there, that way i can upgrade should I want to at a later date.

Can any of you guys recommend a quiet psu then if i go with coolmasters case, i know corsair are the best and reliable, but with this been a home theatre i could do with a really quiet one, any ideas?

[ShyguyXPC]

no idea really one which is quieter, as to Corsair being the best, their units are actually manufactured, at least the internals, by Seasonic, same with most of Antec's, XFX, and NZXT's brand units.

But Seasonics own brand carries premium pricing.


Not sure on noise, but this basic Antec 350W would be fine for the price:

Antec VP 350W PSU | Ebuyer.com


Though for these Mini ITX Cases, its recommended to have a modular PSU, so you can cut down on excess cables in the case.



Some other non Modular cheap, quality brand units:

OCZ 500W CoreXStream PSU | Ebuyer.com

Corsair 430W V2 CX Series PSU | Ebuyer.com

XFX 450W Core Edition Pro PSU | Ebuyer.com

Antec VP 450W PSU - 120mm Fan 4x SATA 1x PCI-E | Ebuyer.com



For modular, the best modular with out skimping on brand would be this one:

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular PSU Single 12V Rail.. | Ebuyer.com

I can't say for certain that its absolutely quiet. But its a decent unit.

Have the same one in a Lian Li Mini ITX Case, only needs the main Motherboard Power cables, and a single SATA Cable for the HDD and DVD Drive.

Its not whisper quiet, but then again, aside from the drives, the only other mechanical part in that case is the Low Profile CPU Cooler.

I've read that the Be Quiet! Brand units are also pretty decent PSU, mainly sold over in UK/EU, so no idea how they are in person, but I would hope with a decent quality unit, and a name like Be Quiet! that the units should be quieter sounding, with low RPM Fans.

[jase888]

thanks for that, I think I will be going with a bequiet psu after reading reviews they seem to have a good reputation.

This one seems to be perfect, good watt size and reasonable price. Dont suppose anyone knows of a site selling windows 7 professional at a reasonable price aswell? cheapest I can see is £105.

[ShyguyXPC]

if this is for a HTPC, you won't need Professional, Home Premium is good enough.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) [GFC-00599]

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit DVD - OEM - Service Pack 1 | GFC-02050

[jase888]

thought i might get told that but was looking at setting it up so the other pcs can remote access into it, also professional would play my very old age of empires game in xp mode i believe.

Anyway you know that motherboard you recommend from biostar, is this motherboard (link below) any better? Looking at putting a very cheap gpu with hdmi in now so hdmi on motherboard not a issue.

Gigabyte GA-H61N-D2V H61 S1155 Motherboard - Scan.co.uk

[ShyguyXPC]

ah, I see. Then Professional would be a good one to go with.

Myself, I want to move up from Home to Pro, due to the fact that Home only supports up to 16GB of RAM in 64-bit versions, my Mobo can use up to 24GB.



That other mobo your looking at, has an old school PCI slot, usually those older PCI cards cost more than a Low end PCIe card these days, finding a PCI with HDMI is also going to be hard, unless its a higher end (yeah, I know thats an oxymoron), PCI card.

It'll probably cost the same or more in the end.

[jase888]

24gb ram jeeeez that is a lot haha, Ive got 16gb and dont use anywhere near that. You got 200 programs open or something haha.

Ahh didnt see that, in that case il keep looking for a PCIe motherboard then or buy that one suggested

[jase888]

Also just out of curiosity, on motherboards whats the PCIe x 16, i know it wont affect a small build as i remember when i got my big build it mattered for dual gpu, something like it splits it 8 x on each but is that speed?

[ShyguyXPC]

its not so much speed as it is Bandwidth. There's 16 Data Lanes on an x16 slot, for PCIe 1.0 spec it was 250MB/s per lane, for 2.0 Spec thats double, and 3.0 is double 2.0.

so in a way it has to do with speed, but how much data can be transferred per second per lane in the slot.

If the x16 slot runs at x8 or x4 (2.0 spec) then it will still be fine for most video cards up to mid range current generation cards. though it might be a bottleneck on the card if its x4 bandwidth, and top end current gen cards.

If the motherboard is a Z68 (with a bios update in most cases, and not sure of whether H61/67 boards will support them since they are based on the P67 chipset which does not support it), or Z75, Z77, H77, or B75 Intel Chipset, when used with an Intel "Ivy Bridge" CPU, they will have PCI Express 3.0 Spec on the slot. Since the PCIe controller chip is on the CPU with Intel's Core i Series.

Sandybridge chips only have 2.0 spec max, Ivy Bridge and Sandybridge-E series chips (the latter on Socket 2011 X79 boards) have 3.0 Spec PCIe slots.




As to the RAM max, on my board, I only have 6GB right now, though realistically I would only need 9 to 12GB for a few things I run on my rig every so often (3D rendering, and such), as my motherboard has 6 RAM slots, runs Triple Channel memory (not much of a boost over dual channel), and is designed, but not required to run in sets of 3 Sticks, or 6 sticks.

[ShyguyXPC]

Huh? What the hell are you talking about? No one Said anything about running mac os .