CPU, MB, & tuner for first HTPC build

[bobjones687]

Thank for all the replies & tips. I disappeared for a little while, with some of the holiday busyness that comes this time of year - sorry about that.

I've decided to throw the budget out the window (comparatively - let's not get crazy here) strip down my current desktop & use the parts for the HTPC, and build myself a new desktop. The way I look at it, I was 6 months or so from getting a new desktop, so I'm actually saving money, right?

My primary question is about the CPU/graphics - I've got an i5-2500K that I'll be using, which comes with Intel HD 3000 graphics. From what I can tell, this should be more than plenty to run a basic HTPC - I'm really only concerned about the graphics. I know video cards tend to be the most problematic part of most builds - does anybody have any experience running off the 3000?

Also, if I can reuse my current motherboard, I'll save a decent amount of cash. The only problem is that it's ATX, and most HTPC cases appear to be M-ATX or ITX. Anybody have any suggestions for good ATX cases? I've seen a few, but none that look any good.


For anyone who's curious, my final build will be something like this:
i5-2500K
8GB RAM
64GB SSD boot drive
2TB storage drive
Ceton InfiniTV 4 internal tuner
Blu Ray drive

Thanks for all your help - this looks like a place I'll be coming around more often.

[staknhalo]

I was using the Intel HD (one below the HD 2000, but pretty much the same thing) in my Pentium G620 for a long time and I played 1080p content fine. Your HD 3000 will do you just fine.

[bobjones687]

I was using the Intel HD (one below the HD 2000, but pretty much the same thing) in my Pentium G620 for a long time and I played 1080p content fine. Your HD 3000 will do you just fine.

Fantastic. I thought so, just wanted to make sure before I started buying parts. Thanks a lot.

[milli260876]

Hfx make some amazing (but expensive!) atx cases passive and silent too...

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/fan ... ed_pc.html

This is a pre-built stateside, you can just get cases. Hfx.at seems to have ran out !!!!!

[bobbob]

i'm using the HD3000 at the moment and i'm very happy with it