Hey guys, I picked out some parts for a steam box/htpc, wondering if anybody had any input.
As you can see, the entire point is budget.



http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RcDyyc


It would be cool to just use the onboard graphics but since steamOS is shitty with ati/amd graphics chips I just picked out the cheapest fanless nvidia card.
Would this unit work decent for playing L4D2 and TF2? Is there a way I can check this before I buy all this shit and put it together?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bnzxt6

Cheaper
Integrated Graphics
Intel =P
Overclockable!

Newegg says that this particular motherboard is out of stock.
Would you say that the LGA 1150 socket is significantly better than the AM1 socket for budget htpc/light gaming builds?
I would much rather go for intel than amd if it has a future upgrade path.

This post was edited by general_patton on Dec 6 2014 12:00am

Well, its definitely able to be upgraded in the future - especially since its the current Intel socket compared to AM1 which is ancient for tech.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157451&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
Thats the next cheapest MoBo according to PCP.

i'd honestly just go for a 240gb for the better price/gb, as I know several out there have been 80-90$

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJOJJ70/?tag=pcpapi-20

This post was edited by Azenor on Dec 6 2014 12:08am

Alrighty, I did a lot of googling and managed to come up with something looking like this

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4VbzWZ


I have no idea if intel's integrated graphics are worth using. The discrete graphics card I have picked out looks pretty badass for how much it costs.
$310 bucks for a unit that can be overclocked and has better specs than my desktop I built in 2008 is pretty badass and awesome.

Edit: Thanks for the socket recommendation, I had no idea that intel's lga 1150 was that much better than the am1.

This post was edited by general_patton on Dec 6 2014 10:53am

I know you're on a budget, but I would definitely NOT get an ECS mobo...

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TnMQBm

are you kidding ghot
fine u dont like ECS motherboards,
you dont have to recommend a 110$ one, thats actually 2x the cpu

What's wrong with ECS motherboards? Are they just shitty quality?

Well it's overclockable...has built in wifi, which I think would be nice for a Steam Box, it also has the advantage of lasting a good long time.

You know me....


When building a comp...any comp...the 3 MOST important parts are these:

1. Case...whether you are air cooling or water cooling get a case with room for growth, great cooling, and case exterior connectors where you are going to want them.
2. Power Supply ...this runs the show...get a PSU that will easily drive w/e you have in comp or MAY decide to add to comp. Consider wattage AND amperage.
3. Motherboard ...EVERYthing ur comp does, it does on or thru the motherboard circuits...you skimp here, you WILL regret it, down the road, or from day one.



/e



They are not only shitty quality, they are 1st pace is shitty quality. ECS (in any price range) makes the world's worst mobo's.

This post was edited by Ghot on Dec 6 2014 11:02am