Media/Gaming PC for TV

Zerker on 30/10/2011 at 15:41

So I'm thinking about building a new PC to hook up to my TV to play various games in a more comfortable setting. About half of my Steam to-play list I will probably end up playing with a gamepad, so that would be a great way to do it.

My current PC I have in this role is a Dell Inspiron Zino HD, which is... underpowered, to say the least. However, in my setup, I am somewhat space constrained. I would like a system that is either intended to be horizontal, or is small in general.

Depth is the primary space constraint. It must be less than 350 mm deep/13.8", but it will barely fit. 320mm/12.6" is more what I am looking for.

However, I would still like to be able to put in a discrete graphics card, if possible. I don't need a super card, just something that will handle most things.

The only cases I found so far that fit are Silverstone LC02 and 04, but those are kinda old and out of stock everywhere. Plus I'm not 100% sure a discrete video card would fit.

For processors, I'm thinking of either Core i3-2100T or Core i5-2390T, which are the thermally-optimized variants of their respective series.

I'm not against buying a pre-built machine if it fits the criteria. Suggestions?

Al_B on 31/10/2011 at 22:23

A bit of an off-the-wall suggestion but have you considered using a laptop or similar? I've put together two media PCs and finding suitable cases with the right combination of PSU, motherboard and expansion options while having a small footprint was very challenging (at least without spending a lot of money). Using a laptop with reasonable inbuilt graphics is something I've toyed with myself for this purpose. Even one where the LCD doesn't work should be suitable and you may be able to pick one up cheaply.

Ostriig on 3/11/2011 at 16:07

I don't suppose you started a thread about this on Hardforum, did you? Anyway, someone asked a similar question over there just recently, and they got pointed to check out the Silverstone (http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=233&area=usa) GD04 and (http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=241&area=usa) 05. They're at 323/325mm depth and they look like they should hit the spot for what you want. Enough room for high end graphics too, by the looks of it, though I'd probably give a wide berth to anything known for pushing out a lot of heat.

They're up on Amazon.com, with some assembled images as well, (http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Front-Panel-Computer-GD04B/dp/B002QEBGQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320235658&sr=8-1) GD04 Black, (http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Aluminum-Computer-GD04S-Silver/dp/B002WN2MYU) Silver, and (http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Aluminum-Steel-Computer-GD05B/dp/B0036WTDGQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320235658&sr=8-2) GD05.

Zerker on 3/11/2011 at 22:42

I can't believe I missed those. I thought I browsed throughout the Silverstone website.

Anyways, GD05 looks like the right one for me. Thanks.

Ostriig on 4/11/2011 at 09:40

:thumb:

Volitions Advocate on 11/11/2011 at 12:05

I put one of these in a computer i built for my brother in law, Great for space restraints, plus its silent because it's passively cooled. 1gb of ram, and you should run most games that aren't crysis at medium settings, in DX11 no less. Just don't go thinking you'll get FSAA and tons of post processing effects, and you'll be fine. I find these cards very impressive.

(http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=58267&vpn=AX5450%201GBK3-SH&manufacture=PowerColor)

Zerker on 11/11/2011 at 22:50

Can you tell me the model number? NCIX is not loading for me. I've been leaning towards either GeForce GTX 550 Ti or Radeon EAH6770 DC/2DI/1GD5.

For motherboards, I'm thinking of an Asus P8H67-M, but it would be nice if I could find a micro-ATX motherboard with both bluetooth and wifi. Most of the ones that qualify seem to be the teeny Mini-ITX boards, which won't really fit any sort of video card.

Oh well, I guess it's either PCI or USB wireless for me. Or some sort of wireless bridge.

Nevermind, it finally loaded. FYI: The equivalent 6450 is available as well now. I also found a (http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_558&item_id=040026) passively cooled HD 6570, which looks tempting.

Volitions Advocate on 12/11/2011 at 07:45

I hadn't noticed the new card. They're not top of the line for sure, but for what they are and for how inexpensive they are I am quite impressed.

In related news. I just bought a 2nd 5870 from ebay, and it was faulty, but still under warranty. Its a discontinued card, and I got it because I wanted to crossfire it with my other 5870. I told XFX this, and they can't fix the card and have no more in stock. So they offered to send me back a 6950, then set me up another RMA to send in my perfeclty good 5870 to exchange for a 2nd 6950 free of charge so i can still use crossfire. Customer service folks. Some companies should teach lessons.