Dolphin PC buying guide

[Duke Nukem]

(04-22-2011, 01:53 AM)SN3S Wrote:

(04-20-2011, 07:44 AM)turingpest Wrote: actually, maybe i shouldn't of wrote that. the best thing to do is to actually build it first and then monitor your temps with something like HWmonitor. if they're too high then you would need to add fans, but those components should actually run reasonably cool. there's no point in adding fans if they're unnecessary, as they cost money!
anyway, no worries on the cpu recommendation. as pointed out above, the first page definitely needs updating as those builds are way out of date. the 2500k and the 2600k are the only chips worth looking at for the 'mainstream' and 'enthusiast' builds atm. and imo the 2500k is the only chip worth looking at for a dolphin htpc build.

Yeah, I figured - also, the HTPC case comes with it's own fans, which may do the trick. If they're too loud I'll replace them with some Scythes. If things run too warm, I can always add cooling options

And as an update, I actually started purchasing the parts for it. I had some money saved already, and while I'd have it all saved up by summer, there's been some good deals going on. Got a Samsung Blu Ray drive instead of the light on for the same price, got the Corsair power supply for 30$ off, and got 8GB of Ripjaws X RAM for less than the 8GB Default Ripjaws RAM.

I plan on buying the case next and seeing how everything fits, then move onto the processor and mobo

You're on your way buddy, you're on your way.

[ExtremeDude2]

(04-22-2011, 01:53 AM)SN3S Wrote: I plan on buying the case next and seeing how everything fits, then move onto the processor and mobo

You can't see how everything fits without the mobo.

[SN3S]

(04-22-2011, 02:08 AM)ryancollins Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 01:53 AM)SN3S Wrote: I plan on buying the case next and seeing how everything fits, then move onto the processor and mobo

You can't see how everything fits without the mobo.

Well yeah, but if my RAM is too tall for the case, then it's definitely not going to fit with the mobo, right? The graphics card is also going to be a close fit...

But I getcha - I don't know if I'll go for the case or the mobo next. Processor will most likely be the last piece, I'm waiting to see if the price drops of course.

[Duke Nukem]

(04-22-2011, 02:28 AM)SN3S Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 02:08 AM)ryancollins Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 01:53 AM)SN3S Wrote: I plan on buying the case next and seeing how everything fits, then move onto the processor and mobo

You can't see how everything fits without the mobo.

Well yeah, but if my RAM is too tall for the case, then it's definitely not going to fit with the mobo, right? The graphics card is also going to be a close fit...

But I getcha - I don't know if I'll go for the case or the mobo next. Processor will most likely be the last piece, I'm waiting to see if the price drops of course.

I'm sure everything will fit just nicely, usually the hardware manufacturers provide measurements of their products so you can have a slight clue if it will fit or not.

[SN3S]

(04-22-2011, 02:33 AM)Gabriel Belmont Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 02:28 AM)SN3S Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 02:08 AM)ryancollins Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 01:53 AM)SN3S Wrote: I plan on buying the case next and seeing how everything fits, then move onto the processor and mobo

You can't see how everything fits without the mobo.

Well yeah, but if my RAM is too tall for the case, then it's definitely not going to fit with the mobo, right? The graphics card is also going to be a close fit...

But I getcha - I don't know if I'll go for the case or the mobo next. Processor will most likely be the last piece, I'm waiting to see if the price drops of course.

I'm sure everything will fit just nicely, usually the hardware manufacturers provide measurements of their products so you can have a slight clue if it will fit or not.

Yep, and the case should fit it all by the math I did, but sometimes online specs are a bit off or just plain wrong so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Still though, when it's all said and done I'll be a happy camper. I'll definitely get build pictures and maybe a vid or two once it's all done, but that might take a few months :p

[Duke Nukem]

(04-22-2011, 07:24 AM)SN3S Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 02:33 AM)Gabriel Belmont Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 02:28 AM)SN3S Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 02:08 AM)ryancollins Wrote:

(04-22-2011, 01:53 AM)SN3S Wrote: I plan on buying the case next and seeing how everything fits, then move onto the processor and mobo

You can't see how everything fits without the mobo.

Well yeah, but if my RAM is too tall for the case, then it's definitely not going to fit with the mobo, right? The graphics card is also going to be a close fit...

But I getcha - I don't know if I'll go for the case or the mobo next. Processor will most likely be the last piece, I'm waiting to see if the price drops of course.

I'm sure everything will fit just nicely, usually the hardware manufacturers provide measurements of their products so you can have a slight clue if it will fit or not.

Yep, and the case should fit it all by the math I did, but sometimes online specs are a bit off or just plain wrong so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Still though, when it's all said and done I'll be a happy camper. I'll definitely get build pictures and maybe a vid or two once it's all done, but that might take a few months :p

Well I'll be looking forward to that and some juicy screens from your Dolphin plays.

[SN3S]

(04-22-2011, 04:05 PM)Gabriel Belmont Wrote: Well I'll be looking forward to that and some juicy screens from your Dolphin plays.

Will do as a thank you for the build advice :p

Next question: Anyone have experience with Hitachi Deskstar Drives?

Newegg's Spring Cleaning sale is just ridiculous:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145493&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL042211&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL042211-_-EMC-042211-Index-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22145493-L02B

129.99 for 3TB, and the MOBO I'm getting is UEFI, so no worries on the size being unrecognized.

compared to what I was looking at buying:

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Desktop-WD2002FAEX/dp/B004CSIG1G/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I8ED7QH3DCFP4&colid=2E5IJ2A29LSO5

20$ Less for 1TB more seems like a steal. I usually buy WD though, never had a problem among the 4TB of drives or so I have. But 3TB is way too tempting on an HTPC, not to mention that drive speed isn't that much of a deal because the OS and programs are going to be on the SSD...

And I just got my paycheck today. Anyone think I should go for it?

*Edit* Looking at it again, obviously the Hitachi is slower than the Western Digital. But, in terms of an HTPC, or as purely a drive to store and read things like media, smaller games and NGC/Wii dumps, etc, will it matter?

[ExtremeDude2]

(04-23-2011, 05:33 AM)SN3S Wrote: *Edit* Looking at it again, obviously the Hitachi is slower than the Western Digital. But, in terms of an HTPC, or as purely a drive to store and read things like media, ROMS, etc, will it matter?

Bad word

[SN3S]

(04-23-2011, 06:35 AM)ryancollins Wrote:

(04-23-2011, 05:33 AM)SN3S Wrote: *Edit* Looking at it again, obviously the Hitachi is slower than the Western Digital. But, in terms of an HTPC, or as purely a drive to store and read things like media, ROMS, etc, will it matter?

Bad word

I mean dumps and copies of games I've owned over the years, but I'll edit it all the same. :p

Still though, is the difference in RPM between 5400 and 7200 enough to warrant me spending 30$ more on a 2TB drive instead of getting that 3TB Hitachi?

[ExtremeDude2]

(04-23-2011, 06:42 AM)SN3S Wrote:

(04-23-2011, 06:35 AM)ryancollins Wrote:

(04-23-2011, 05:33 AM)SN3S Wrote: *Edit* Looking at it again, obviously the Hitachi is slower than the Western Digital. But, in terms of an HTPC, or as purely a drive to store and read things like media, ROMS, etc, will it matter?

Bad word

I mean dumps and copies of games I've owned over the years, but I'll edit it all the same. :p

Still though, is the difference in RPM between 5400 and 7200 enough to warrant me spending 30$ more on a 2TB drive instead of getting that 3TB Hitachi?

I would not want a 5400 that is like a laptop hard drive I hate those too s-l-o-w