Building a HTPC

[Scooter92]

Hello THF!

I am in the midst of picking out parts for building a HTPC. Here is my current build list:

Mobo: http/www.amazon.com/dp/B007RQ0HKS/?tag=pcpapi-20

Case: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163208&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Optical Drive: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136263

CPU: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116405

Memory: 4GB G.Skillz 1600 Mhz DDR3 Dual Channel kit (already owned)

GPU: GTX 470 (already owned)

OS: Windows 7 (already owned)

HDD: http/www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRLY/?tag=pcpapi-20

Couple things I'd like to ask you about:

1. Where is the best place to save some money? For instance...your CPU is too poweful, get a weaker one! Or, get a case with a regular sized 5.25" ODD slow because they're cheaper than the slim editions, etc.

2. What's the best way to integrated wireless functionality via biggest bang for the littlest buck?

3. What kind of speaker system do you guys use w/optical, coaxial, or just plan old DVI/HDMI?

Specific Purpose of This Build:

1. DVD/Bluray play back
2. XMBC

Other:

1. The mobo has all the features I want, if you offer another one, please keep the same feature-set!
2. I am a big fan of Silverstone!
3. I plan on undervolting my GTX 470 to be used with the 300 watt PSU. I will probably test max power consumption with a 750 watt PSU I have just to make sure I don't go over.

Thanks!

 

[legokill101]

a better solution would be to a get low profile 7750 they are only like 100 or so or get a amd a8 or a10 apu

 

[Scooter92]

I already own a GTX470. It seems like it makes more sense to work with what I own and to spend a few extra dollars on a more powerful PSU if needed. Also, sometime in the future I may want to cache a small SSD, so I think I'd like to stay with Sandy Bridge. Thanks, though!

 

[rwpritchett]

If you plan to use an SSD cache, then you'll need to step up to the H77 version of your motherboard. B75 doesn't support SSD caching.

Also, any reason you want a Sandy Bridge Pentium vs. going with an Ivy Bridge Pentium?

 

[Scooter92]

That's a really good point. That's why I post here! The reason I picked the sandy bridge proc was for price reasons and also cause because it was suggested in tomshardware's top voted 2013 HTPC. I figure since I have the GTX 470 for video playback, I won't be needing a nicer processor with a better iGPU.