Advice with HTPC build

[Greenfire]

Hey all,

Looks like my desktop is undeniably dead - so it's time to kick the HTPC project in motion. I'm looking for a compact, energy-efficient design that can hold 5 hard drives, preferably intel cpu, for a budget of around $400. It's also important to me for the case to be quiet but I never want to worry about overheating issues. I'll be mostly using it for xbmc, but it shouldn't have problems if I want to throw an emulator at it once in a while. This was a previous build that was suggested for me - but it being 4 months later, I figure there are better/cheaper parts out there.

http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/270828-advice-regarding-htpc-design.html

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BUILD SUGGESTION:

Got a build suggestion.

It's going to reuse 3 parts from my current desktop which work for sure. Here it is:

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) (Cooler absorbed brunt of water damage - replacing it)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (no issues)
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W (purchased new after accident)
Case: Silverstone SST-GD08B (Black) HTPC Case
CPU Cooler: Rosewill RCX-Z300 CPU Cooler
HDDs: 1 500gb laptop HDD, 2 3TB Seagate HDDs, 2 2TB WD HDDs

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Thanks!
-green

 

[AddRAM]

There are soooo many options and $400 is not nearly enuf, in my opinion. But you will get good advice from the members here.

These are the 2 sources I use.

http://www.newegg.com/

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Greenfire, We'll need a parts list as for $400.00 budget you'll be carrying over tons from the old build? When you say a HTPC what and when are you using this rig for? Maybe you are thinking about a mini ATX build in a smaller case? For a true HTPC the case can cost $400.00 alone.
Silverstone Grandia GD01MX Black HTPC ATX Case with Built-In LCD Display, Front USB, FireWire and Audio Ports at TigerDirect.com

 

[Greenfire]

Well, I'm calling it an HTPC in the sense that that will be its only function (not looking for a gaming rig), so essentially looking to build something small that can hold 5 hard drives and run xbmc. Nothing fancy.

The other Silverstone case I was looking for retailed at around $100ish, so there are definitely cheaper cases than $400.

My desktop suffered water damage a while back, so everything is unstable. I'm pretty sure I can reuse the CPU and the RAM (which are Intel i7 2600k 3.4 Ghz and CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3) but if there's a better build idea out there, I'm willing to purchase new and not having to risk instability later on.

 

[AddRAM]

I would just start browsing, using the 2 links I gave you.

 

[Layback Bear]

Greenfire I would suggest using the list these good people made for you back in Dec 2012 or just go shopping on line.

What does HTPC mean?

Advice regarding HTPC design
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I like building computers but I do my own shopping.
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As Addram suggested.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More!

TigerDirect.com - Electronics, Tablets, Phones, Office Supplies & Video Games

 

[Greenfire]

Got a build suggestion.

It's going to reuse 3 parts from my current desktop which work for sure. Here it is:

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) (Cooler absorbed brunt of water damage - replacing it)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (no issues)
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W (purchased new after accident)
Case: Silverstone SST-GD08B (Black) HTPC Case
CPU Cooler: Rosewill RCX-Z300 CPU Cooler
HDDs: 1 500gb laptop HDD, 2 3TB Seagate HDDs, 2 2TB WD HDDs

New parts will cost me about $250, looking for a new set of eyes to rate this build, especially on if everything will fit

 

[AddRAM]

Where`s your Solid state drive ?

You`re going with a Sandy bridge over an Ivy ? Or is that something you already have ?

 

[Greenfire]

Where`s your Solid state drive ?

No real need for an SSD - its going to be on all of the time and I won't be browsing on it ever. I might as well use the laptop HDD that I displaced when I put an SSD into my laptop.

 

[AddRAM]

Good point.

Remember, that drive only spins at 5400 rpm, but it shouldn`t be a problem.

 

[Greenfire]

Good point.

Remember, that drive only spins at 5400 rpm, but it shouldn`t be a problem.

Fair, but I never realized the difference between hard drives with different spin rates. Its only HDDs and SSDs that the difference is like night and day