HTPC/Steam Build

[Goat Licker]

Hi, I am looking into building an HTPC/Steam PC for my living room (surround sound receiver/46 inch 1080p TV).

I have other computers already on my home network, such as a Kubuntu file server with TBs and TBs of storage of media I legally own, a Windows 7 i7 desktop that can play AAA games, and a standalone Blu-ray player connected to the home theater.

What I am trying to do is build a HTPC with Steam that can play less demanding games and stream movies (think playing puzzle games with the kids or having friends over for beers).

My budget is flexible. I am not wealthy but if I have to throw it on a card and take an extra month to pay it off, so be it. I will be looking to buy within the next three months, so if some new gadget is coming out soon that is worth waiting for, I can wait. This build is roughly $1,200 and that is probably the most I would want to spend. Any thoughts?

My first issue is my HT receiver does not have optical in. It appears that modern video cards (such as the nVidia 600 series) will output audio over HDMI, is this true?

I also picked Windows 8.1. I figure the tiles might actually be better for this use, not being a desktop. Worst case I can always install Classic Shell. Any thoughts on Win 8.1 x64 for an HTPC/Steam system?

Anyway, here is my build, I appreciate any and all feedback. Please note that the video card is powered by the PCIe bus only, not a separate connector. So I skimped a little on the power supply, using a lower wattage version of what is in my main PC and I have had success with it.

Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO - High Air Flow Test Bench and LAN Box Desktop Computer Case with ATX Motherboard Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119265
$99.99

CPU/Mobo combo: Intel Core i5-4670 Haswell 3.4GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I54670
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1556286
$289.98

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445
$89.99

PS: CORSAIR CXM series CX430M 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139049
$49.99

Video: ASUS GTX650-E-2GD5 GeForce GTX 650 2GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121714
$139.99

HDMI: AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters) - Supports Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return [Newest Standard]
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-High-Speed-HDMI-Cable-Meters/dp/B003L1ZYYM/ref=sr_1_3
$5.79

SSD: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193
$204.99

BD-R: LG Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model UH12NS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136268
$41.99

Network (802.11n): ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n PCI Express 300/300Mbps Transfer/Receive Rate 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320074
$27.99

OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - Full Version (32 & 64-bit)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416712
$119.99

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech MK320 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126188
$39.99

Gamepad: Microsoft JR9-00011 Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109243
2x $49.99

[_I_]

for a $300 cpu/board combo, you should get a 4670k and a z87 board

you dont need 2x of the 360 wireless controller kits, 1 360 kit and 1 360 wireless controller will work with it
the kit includes a reciever which can work with upto 4 controllers

for the rest if you dont mind shopping around
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Xd4u

[Goat Licker]

I'll definitely look into the mobo, I was more concerned about the CPU and looking at what combos Newegg had.

For the controller, that was actually something I was curious about. There are two front USB ports, I was hoping to have one Logitech for the keyboard/mouse and one for multiple controllers. If four will work off the same USB receiver that would be nice.

[Marble]

To answer your audio question, yes the GPU will output audio over HDMI.

Nvidia cards lack virtual surround in the driver, though. This is where it outputs stereo to all surround speakers instead of just the front left and right (listed as Speaker Fill or Virtual Surround in Windows audio settings).

If your receiver has the functionality to upscale a stereo source to surround already built-in then this does not matter. Pro Logic II works with Nvidia if your receiver supports it, but you need to keep the sample rate at default (48khz).

Go for a smaller SSD and use the money saved to buy a big HDD to go along with it. Besides a few miliseconds shaved from loading times, SSD's don't help much in gaming. An HDD would allow for far more games to be installed, and with your OS installed on your SSD you get the performance boost as well.

I would also say the CPU is overkill, but that bundle seems like a pretty good deal.
Remember, HTPC's rarely do one task at a time and none of them are particularly CPU-intensive. Mine still uses a Sandy Bridge i3 (2120) and doesn't even flinch.

[_I_]

the ms 360 reciever has a 10ft cable, it can use a rear usb port and run around everywhere
it also has around a 30+ft range

if you have a 5.1+ reciever, nvidia and amd sound cards can output dts/pl2 to the reiever

if its for gaming, the i5 + gtx770 will work great
if its just for recording/streaming movies/video an i3 + intel 2000+ will work great

[Rove]

If you are only getting GT 650 graphics you might as well get a cheaper CPU? Like a AMD FX 6300 or a i3 or something?

Personally for a HTPC I'd go with a AMD A10 APU for both CPU & GPU.

Also you are paying way too much for that GT 650. For $140~ you can get a GTX 650 ti or 650 ti BOOST 2GB or a R7 260X OC 2GB and for $10 more you can get a GTX 750 ti.

GTX 750 ti is slightly less powerful than GTX 650 ti BOOST but it's also like less than 1/2 the power use so it's great for a HTPC.

[Xexas]

check this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163252

[_I_]

@^
the cm haf xb is a full size atx case, will take a std psu and has 7 exp slots
the slim silverstone is an itx case with 1 pci-e riser adapter for holding the gpu sideways

i wouldnt do a new build with an amd apu
i3 is a much stronger cpu for the price, and better upgradability
and a low end gpu (7790+) will be better than the apu can ever be

[Goat Licker]

This is both for streaming and gaming. After all I asked in these forums because I will be installing Steam on there.

As for the CPU/GPU I figure the i5 is powerful enough to last a while. For the GPU I was considering one of the new 750TIs but the 600 series cards are still pretty strong and comparing cards is difficult with different memory bandwidth, CUDA counts, etc. But I do not have my heart set on any particular card, I just have had bad luck with ATI/AMD and prefer nVidia. So maybe I need to look more at graphics cards.

[_I_]

since its a gaming build, go with a 760 or 770

750ti is a very good low power gpu