HTPC Build Review - Also looking for a case with IR window

[Jade10145]

Hi,

I am currently putting together a new build. So far I have a i5 3570 (which is currently sitting in my old h61 mobo).

I am looking at this board, Intel Desktop Motherboard LGA1155 DDR3 1600 ATX - BOXDH77KC

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Desktop-Mot ... +micro+atx

This RAM Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory (CMV8GX3M2A1333​C9)

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-2x4GB-Des ... 383CDIQB6H

This PSU, Corsair Builder Series CX 500 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX500)

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-W ... 0w+80+plus

Video Card will be a asus fanless model nvidia gt430.


I have a couple old 2 tb drives hanging around that I intend on using for storage. The OS will be Win 7 professional running on a
Crucial m4 128GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT128M4SSD2



I am also looking for a case with some sort of internal window for an ir reciever. I intend on setting up an internal ir reciever. I really like the Silverstone cases look wise but I am having a hard time finding one with a ir window.

Use

Will be serving recorded and live tv to one xbox360 extender and one ceton echo (once I get it working)
Will be connected to usb infinitv
Watching tv on my primary tv
DVR for IP cams that will be motion sensing/recording for about 8 hours a day
Plex server for andriod devices
Possible expansion with additional pci infinitv
Possible game emulator

I think thats about it. What do you think of this set up? And any ideas for a case with a window for an ir reciever? Thanks in advance.

John

[foxwood]

This PSU, Corsair Builder Series CX 500 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX500)

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-W ... 0w+80+plus

Later this evening, Newegg will have the CORSAIR CX430M 430W on sale as a "Shell Shocker" so if you're ready to pull the trigger anyway, you might save a couple of bucks.

[newfiend]

Go to eBay type antec fusion black, or if you like sliver try searching antec fusion remote. I have this case and it has a built in IR, works great. They are no longer made but they are a very well made case with excellent air flow!

Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express Pro

[LuckyDay]

+1 on the Antec Fusion (I have the V2 model).

Excellent case, just upgraded my system into it and I'm loving it.

[Jade10145]

Does the antec ir reciever work with windows media center? So I assume you just plug the ir into the ir port on the board?

Thanks for the suggetions!

[Jade10145]

This PSU, Corsair Builder Series CX 500 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX500)

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-W ... 0w+80+plus

Later this evening, Newegg will have the CORSAIR CX430M 430W on sale as a "Shell Shocker" so if you're ready to pull the trigger anyway, you might save a couple of bucks.

Nice! Thanks man!

[newfiend]

Yes the IR on the antec case works perfect with Media Center. I'm currently running Windows media center 7 in this case with the built in IR without issue. It connects to a USB header on the mainboard. You then install iMON software that comes with it and use the media center remote control profile and your all set.

Newfiend~

Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express Pro

[LuckyDay]

Make sure if you get the Antec fusion you get the "V2" or "remote" model. The v1 apparently did not have an MCE compatible IR receiver and also lacked proper grounding for the case.

[Jade10145]

So could one also power on from sleep via the remote? How about from shutdown?

The remote would be a harmony one that I currently have.

[LuckyDay]

Yeah, you can do both. I have the harmony one as well and all of that works fine.

[newfiend]

Same here harmony one works fine.

Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express

[Jade10145]

Thanks for the suggestions all...greenbutton always there when you need them haha.

[Mediaman]

I like your overall design, the HD4000 GPU works quite well and not sure you really need the GT430 [have that in an older HTPC and a GT520 in wait but did not need it]. If it were less than a HD3000 I might have some future concerns right now.

Finished this build out early January, running HDHomerun Prime and dual tuners on Comcast. Use xbox as extender that the new HTPC hosts with one other HTPC accessing tuners. Very fast, quiet and overkill. Using all 5 tuners to record live HD sports and play back via xbox and on big screen from the host is about 75% use on one processor. AC3 Filter and Guide Tool are the only added software at this time but may add movie editing and like you a couple of IP cameras with motion sensing. I do not think silverstone has a case that has just IR hole but it should be easy enough to drill one. The front of this case has two layers of metal [exterior/interior] with some areas on the internal wall cut open [like one spot I assume is for a card reader install]. The quality of the materials is such that a knowledgeable metal working person should easily cut a hole to mount an IR. I use a Philips usb ir receiver, a harmony 650 and an adesso trackball keyboard [RF]. The reason for this case was to fit the power supply.

Case - Silverstone Tek GD05B
Mobo - Intel BOXDH77EB
Processor - Intel Core i5-3570K Quad 3.4 GHz Ivy Bridge Onboard Intel 4000 GPU
RAM - Crucial Ballistix Sport 1.5V 1600 DDR3, Two 2x4GB
Power Supply - KingWin Stryker 500W Fanless
Boot Drive - Crucial M4 128GB
Recording Drive - WD Caviar Black 2.0 TB
Optical Drive - Pioneer 15x BDR-2208 includes Cyberlink Media Suite 8 Blu-Ray software
OS - W7 Home Premium 64 bit [run MS Essentials and Firewall]

Key item is to upgrade the mobo bios! Initially I had figured that I would be replacing case fans and the CPU fan but did not as the included fans are very quiet. The case fans run at 500 rpm and the cpu at 1100 to 1200 and I have to turn my laptop off and get close to hear it at all. If it were not for the case LED I would have been putting my hand by a fan 5 times a day in the beginning to see if it was running . Cost just under 1K. Could easily add more ram but have yet to see a reason.