Cheapo Entertainment system compy.

[Genocidicbunny]

Make sure you get the CPU cooler now too. You wont be able to do anything with this machine until you do that.

You're fine on cables from what I can tell.

 

[GoodGame]

Yes, otherwise your initial boot could also be your final one.

You like fine on SATA cables as well. Same for the power supply cables since they come with PSU.

EDIT: It looks like they're only giving you the fan wire for the side fan. Assuming you put at least one more in the front, I think you *might* need an extension fan cable (a few dollars) if the fan you pick comes with a not very fan cable. A y-splice fan cable and one xtra to be sure would probably be nifty.

e.g. 3-pin type: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...119148&cm_re=fan_cable-_-12-119-148-_-Product

 

[fromeast2west]

Why not just pay the extra money to get the non-OEM CPU so you'll get the heatsink and fan? It's only about 7 bucks more, and you'll pay more than that for an aftermarket part, plus shipping...

 

[Genocidicbunny]

I suggest an aftermarket cooler anyways. This is an HTPC so Perf may want it to be on the quieter side, which the stock cooler doesnt really do.

 

[GoodGame]

But there are also some really quiet case fans too like the Scythe models.

Which reminds me I never tried putting those new fans I got in their silicon noise damping and into my case. Too hot in my room too though.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Id go with some low-rpm Yate Loon's. They're plenty quiet while moving a good amount of air and they're pretty cheap.

 

[Perfection]

So about the processor, here are similar versions: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7670+600005578+600005863+600005673&IsNodeId=1

it doesn't look like any come with fans

So imma start hunting for CPU fans.

Do you folks think a front fan is also necessary?

Just FYI, I never built a PC before so it's probable I'll make some idiot errors. Anyone who detects one earns themselves a beer if I ever meet them in person (geno already earned like two).

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Do you still have your .edu email Perf? If so you can get Win 7 for 30$ (well, potentially)

For the fans, I doubt you will need 2 intake fans. Depending on the cpu cooler you choose and where it gets it's air from you can move the fan around. If the cpu cooler draws air from the front, you'll want to move the side fan to the front, if it draws from the side, you will want to leave it as is.

The CPU is going to be the hottest running part in the HTPC especially since you arent using a dedicated GPU (yet)

Also, most of the cpu's you linked to do come with fans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687 -- Look under specifications. It says Heatsink and Fan included.

After looking up the stock cooler, I can say that it should work just fine as long as there's a second fan directing some air at it. That side fan in the case should work just fine for that. This will hopefully keep the cpu fan from spinning up, keeping noise down. In other words, Id actually hold off on the aftermarket cpu cooler for now. You can always add one later.

Other than that, I dont have anything to add at the moment. Im sure you'll be fine with the building part, considering your line of work.

 

[Perfection]

Sweet. Imma get this 2.9GHz guy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687

I'm going to check my audio cable stocks. See if I have what I need. Figure out the IO devices.


Figure out what TV/Monitor I want (this is for my lab, not my HTPC), but I figure I'll get that too as long as I'm doing an order.

Then I'll double check the list for in stock parts and ensure I have all my cabling, components covered so I don't have to run to radio shack and grab random crap at inflated prices.

 

[Perfection]

Blue Ray Drive:
ASUS Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BR-04B2T - OEM
$64

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EARS 1.5TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$75 ($0.05 a gigabyte!)

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
$100

MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-785GMT-USB3 AM3 AMD 785G HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$95

PROC
AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX245OCGQBOX
$59

Power Supply
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
$53

Memory
Patriot 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model PSD32G13332
$43

Is it worth it to go with Kingston instead? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134790

Case:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$65

SATA Cables (2):
Link Depot 19.69" SATA III Round Cable with Left Angle Model LD-SATA3L-0.5M
$9 (for both)

HDMI Cable:
OKGEAR 3 ft. HDMI male to HDMI male cable Model OK3HDMI
$7

Keyboard and Mouse
Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 Black 102 Normal Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse
$33


Total: $603

Also

LCD TV:
iSymphony 22" 720p LCD HDTV LC22iH5PB
$190

Just going to double check to make sure everything is compatible and I'm not leaving anything out and will order!

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Can you fit a 26" monitor? If you go for cheapo there, I have a different suggestion (although it only has crappy speakers), namely this one: http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VW266H-2...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280809169&sr=8-1

Its the current monitor I use for my desktop and while the colors could be better, for a TN panel they are darned good, and it has pretty decent viewing angles with little to no color distortion. It is more expensive than the one you picked, but bear in mind that it is bigger, its 1080p, has all sorts of input (HDMI, VGA, DVI) and if you get it on Amazon, should carry no tax. Amazon's return policy on monitor's and tv's is also much much better than Newegg, to the point that I wouldnt suggest any other retailer for them.


EDIT -- Missed the question on RAM there. Between the two of those, Id go for the cheaper. There's no tangible difference between them.

 

[Perfection]

Well this stuff has been ordered, note that I went with the TV I originally picked. The larger size is actually a drawback. This thing is going to sit in an area with limited space.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Fair enough. Just keep in mind that most blu-ray wont be able to play at their full 1080p, and will run at a lower 720p. The difference isnt that great in my opinion, but just keep it in mind.

 

[Perfection]

Oh yeah, this is just some TV to provide noise while doing lab work. MST3K needs not fancy graphics. The BluRay crap is all going on my 46 inch screen in the living room.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Yay! Sounds like what I use my secondary monitor for.