HTPC/Home Theatre PC Build

[wassupdoc]

Ok, So here's the brief:

I'm building a HTPC/Home Theatre PC for my dad for a max budget of £700. But I'm having a real hard time selecting parts as I've never done an sff build before.

It needs: A HDTV tuner/recorder, decent onboard (like THX) audio or a sound card, a blu-ray disc drive for hd movies that can also do cds and dvds, an efficientish power supply (bronze+), 8Gb memory pref., 1Tb HDD (+SSD if Possible). It also needs to have good enough onboard graphics (ie: AMD A8 series) or a GPU to play the occasional game on low/med settings. Finally, it needs to LOOK sweet. It will be going under the TV so he doesn't want a cube case or small tower, I'm looking for cases like the origen AE cases (I know they are VERY expensive)

Any help is muchly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[sheroo]

What do you think of this case?

SST-ML03B - Silverstone Milo ML03B

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silverstone-milo-ml03b-microatx-black-slim-htpc-case-with-usb-30-w-o-psu-%28can-take-atx%29

Takes ATX PSU, full size dvd (although is a bit of a squeeze with the psu), matx m/b and good cooling options with mounts for some quiet 80mm fans. USB3 header to boot, not too deep all for around £50.

I've done alot of research on HTPC cases, and this would be the one I would get if I was going for a non cube sff. The only thing you have to watch out for is that it only takes low profile cards. That's not a problem for tuner cards, as they all generally come with a lp bracket, but it will limit your choice of gpu should you wish to use a discrete card.

 

[wassupdoc]

What do you think of this case?

SST-ML03B - Silverstone Milo ML03B

http://www.scan.co.u...can-take-atx%29

Takes ATX PSU, full size dvd (although is a bit of a squeeze with the psu), matx m/b and good cooling options with mounts for some quiet 80mm fans. USB3 header to boot, not too deep all for around £50.

I've done alot of research on HTPC cases, and this would be the one I would get if I was going for a non cube sff. The only thing you have to watch out for is that it only takes low profile cards. That's not a problem for tuner cards, as they all generally come with a lp bracket, but it will limit your choice of gpu should you wish to use a discrete card.

I did show my dad this exact case but he said it looked awful, so far he's liked all the silver and black aluminium cases i've showed him so probably an aluminium case. Form factor doesn't particularly matter to me as long as it's not one the huge "gaming" HTPC cases like the Antec fusion remote XL.

 

[sheroo]

I did show my dad this exact case but he said it looked awful, so far he's liked all the silver and black aluminium cases i've showed him so probably an aluminium case. Form factor doesn't particularly matter to me as long as it's not one the huge "gaming" HTPC cases like the Antec fusion remote XL.

That's a shame because technically it covers everthing that you need for an easy build. Other cases tend to be too deep. What about a silver SG06?

 

[wassupdoc]

That's a shame because technically it covers everthing that you need for an easy build. Other cases tend to be too deep. What about a silver SG06?

haha I lol'd at his reaction. basically no he doesn't like it

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

haha I lol'd at his reaction. basically no he doesn't like it

What if you mod it for him (nothing drastic, I mean spray it whatever colour he wants, put his name on it or something).

Don't think you're going to find anything that leaps out in the ITX chassis market - though I might be wrong

 

[sheroo]

tbh anything with an lcd or vfd is a waste of money. You can't read it from 10 foot away and its just distracting.

Have you looked at the Wesena cases, like the originae but cheaper.

http://www.scan.co.uk/search.aspx?q=wesena

 

[wassupdoc]

tbh anything with an lcd or vfd is a waste of money. You can't read it from 10 foot away and its just distracting.

Have you looked at the Wesena cases, like the originae but cheaper.

http://www.scan.co.u...h.aspx?q=wesena

Yeah he really likes that, if you could spec one up in budget I would actually love you

(with the optional remote preferably

)

 

[wassupdoc]

What if you mod it for him (nothing drastic, I mean spray it whatever colour he wants, put his name on it or something).

Don't think you're going to find anything that leaps out in the ITX chassis market - though I might be wrong

There is really a lot of nice itx cases, but none that quite fit the bill unfortunately

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

There is really a lot of nice itx cases, but none that quite fit the bill unfortunately

Oh, there's decent cases, but you won't find anything along the lines of 'super ultra fine brushed aliminium Picaso masterpeice ivory diamond encrusted mahogony box of treasures' case - what exactly is he after? Or does he keep saying 'functional' or something

 

[Grizzly]

On the topic of your other components the only HD tuner you can get is the PCTV nanostick T2, on Amazon here.

And bequiet do some good low powered PSUs, the lowest powered modular one is a 430W, and is part of the Pure Power lineup.

They have various different grades and wattages and can be bought modular/non modular, the modular PSUs seem to have CM at the end of their product code.

 

[wassupdoc]

On the topic of your other components the only HD tuner you can get is the PCTV nanostick T2, on Amazon here.

And bequiet do some good low powered PSUs, the lowest powered modular one is a 430W, and is part of the Pure Power lineup.

They have various different grades and wattages and can be bought modular/non modular, the modular PSUs seem to have CM at the end of their product code.

ORLY?

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/blackgold-bgt3630-dvb-t2-dvb-c-dvb-s2-analogue-composite-s-video-component-video-pcie-product

 

[wassupdoc]

Oh, there's decent cases, but you won't find anything along the lines of 'super ultra fine brushed aliminium Picaso masterpeice ivory diamond encrusted mahogony box of treasures' case - what exactly is he after? Or does he keep saying 'functional' or something

Something along those lines

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

Something along those lines

Personally I'd just spend spare hours sanding a plain aluminium case to a mirror finish - chrome look

 

[wassupdoc]

Personally I'd just spend spare hours sanding a plain aluminium case to a mirror finish - chrome look

Come on... you have to admit that case is beautiful

 

[wassupdoc]

Personally I'd just spend spare hours sanding a plain aluminium case to a mirror finish - chrome look

Come on... you have to admit that case is beautiful

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

Come on... you have to admit that case is beautiful

It is, but I thought you didn't want to fork out for it? If you are prepared to then go with that! Looks very snazzy

 

[Grizzly]

ORLY?

http://www.scan.co.u...eo-pcie-product

My bad I have seen them before, but I cringed when I saw the £100+ price and had pretty much blocked them from thought.

 

[Nathlm]

This case?

http://www.cclonline.com/product/25...ases/Antec-ISK-310-150-Mini-ITX-Case/CAS1170/

or this

http://www.cclonline.com/product/55380/MTX-003B/Cases/CiT-MTX-003B-Black-Mini-ITX-Case/CAS0229/

actually just go to CCL and look for ITX cases, theres quite a few (don't know how good they are though)

 

[wassupdoc]

My bad I have seen them before, but I cringed when I saw the £100+ price and had pretty much blocked them from thought.

Yeah, it kind of needs to have it in though as it is the main reason my dad wants it