Quiet HTPC / media center / torrent client (low watt/quiet)
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:14 am
I'm completely out of the loop, not having built a system for 2 years.
Now I would like to build a system for:
+ 1080p h.264 / avi / mkv / qt playback
+ playback of my music files (flac, mp3, mpc, etc)
+ torrent client
+ occasional file serving to other machines, but not a dedicated NAS
+ DVB-T recording & playback
+ web browsing, chat, etc.
Now, the OS part is still pretty much open, I'm thinking XP, Vista, Win7 RC and various Linux distros, maybe even OS X.
For HW I've been considering the following, based on what I've read here and anand/avsforum/etc.
Motherboard :Asus P5N7A-VM 9300IGP
- are there still issues with undervolting stability?
- has anybody tried 8GB (4x2GB) on this? I'm thinking ahead...
CPU: Intel E5200
- should be enough for all I need. Are there lower power parts that would be enough for hd playback while leaving some spare headroom?
RAM: 2 or 4GB DDR2 800Mhz CL5 @ 1.8V(amount depending on OS / app usage)
- is there a huge difference in cooling requirements / power consumption between DIMMs at 1.8V vs. say 2.2V?
CPU Cooler : Xigmatek HDT-D1284
- Downdraft orientation, which helps the cooling of the IGP which can get hot. Looks like a decent performer in the tests I've read, not too expensive and hopefully fits the case (!)
- should have extram 80mm Nexus fans somewhere, thinking 5V might be enough for this
GFX: 9300 IGP, no discrete gfx - at least not yet
Sound: Onboard audio for optical out - enough for DD/DTS/PCM bitstream out now. Maybe a PAP supporting PCI-E 1x HDMI discrete card later, if need be.
Case: Silverstone SG01S-F Evolution
- This is a bit tricky for me. I'd have loved to use the Antec Fusion Remote mATX, but my rack is running out of space, hence the SFF size enclosure. No idea yet, if I'm going to need case fans (hope not).
- Anobody know of shorter (less tall) SFF enclosures that are decent?
- Anybody have experience with this and silent HD mounting?
PSU: Nexus Value 430W
- Again, another compromise. Looks like this is really quiet at my loads (<100W), but the efficiency is "only" 72% at c. 60W draw. I don't want to spend a lot on the PSU, but I want something very quiet.
- PicoPSU option is more of a hassle for me: have to order parts from various spots, ends up twice the price and I'm not sure how the backplate installation can be done cleanly
- I wish there were easily available mATX PSUs at max 200W that were cheap, quiet, efficient and reliable. Can't seem to be able to find one...
HD: 1TB WD GP
- Have 3 of these so far, happy and they are fast enough for what I need
Optical: one of my old Pioneer DVD-burners RPC1 and fairly quiet at dvd playback
I'd also like to find a wireless small keyboard with a trackpad or mouse replacement. Something that works fairly reliably, doesn't suck batteries like black hole and is very quiet to type :)
All comments, changes and tips are appreciated.
PS I must say that for an out of the loop guy like myself, the recent proliferation of chips, chipsets, mobos, etc has made building a quiet pc very nice and excruciating at the same time: the selection is huge and finding the right stuff among all the options takes a long time :)
Now I would like to build a system for:
+ 1080p h.264 / avi / mkv / qt playback
+ playback of my music files (flac, mp3, mpc, etc)
+ torrent client
+ occasional file serving to other machines, but not a dedicated NAS
+ DVB-T recording & playback
+ web browsing, chat, etc.
Now, the OS part is still pretty much open, I'm thinking XP, Vista, Win7 RC and various Linux distros, maybe even OS X.
For HW I've been considering the following, based on what I've read here and anand/avsforum/etc.
Motherboard :Asus P5N7A-VM 9300IGP
- are there still issues with undervolting stability?
- has anybody tried 8GB (4x2GB) on this? I'm thinking ahead...
CPU: Intel E5200
- should be enough for all I need. Are there lower power parts that would be enough for hd playback while leaving some spare headroom?
RAM: 2 or 4GB DDR2 800Mhz CL5 @ 1.8V(amount depending on OS / app usage)
- is there a huge difference in cooling requirements / power consumption between DIMMs at 1.8V vs. say 2.2V?
CPU Cooler : Xigmatek HDT-D1284
- Downdraft orientation, which helps the cooling of the IGP which can get hot. Looks like a decent performer in the tests I've read, not too expensive and hopefully fits the case (!)
- should have extram 80mm Nexus fans somewhere, thinking 5V might be enough for this
GFX: 9300 IGP, no discrete gfx - at least not yet
Sound: Onboard audio for optical out - enough for DD/DTS/PCM bitstream out now. Maybe a PAP supporting PCI-E 1x HDMI discrete card later, if need be.
Case: Silverstone SG01S-F Evolution
- This is a bit tricky for me. I'd have loved to use the Antec Fusion Remote mATX, but my rack is running out of space, hence the SFF size enclosure. No idea yet, if I'm going to need case fans (hope not).
- Anobody know of shorter (less tall) SFF enclosures that are decent?
- Anybody have experience with this and silent HD mounting?
PSU: Nexus Value 430W
- Again, another compromise. Looks like this is really quiet at my loads (<100W), but the efficiency is "only" 72% at c. 60W draw. I don't want to spend a lot on the PSU, but I want something very quiet.
- PicoPSU option is more of a hassle for me: have to order parts from various spots, ends up twice the price and I'm not sure how the backplate installation can be done cleanly
- I wish there were easily available mATX PSUs at max 200W that were cheap, quiet, efficient and reliable. Can't seem to be able to find one...
HD: 1TB WD GP
- Have 3 of these so far, happy and they are fast enough for what I need
Optical: one of my old Pioneer DVD-burners RPC1 and fairly quiet at dvd playback
I'd also like to find a wireless small keyboard with a trackpad or mouse replacement. Something that works fairly reliably, doesn't suck batteries like black hole and is very quiet to type :)
All comments, changes and tips are appreciated.
PS I must say that for an out of the loop guy like myself, the recent proliferation of chips, chipsets, mobos, etc has made building a quiet pc very nice and excruciating at the same time: the selection is huge and finding the right stuff among all the options takes a long time :)