redshifter said:
the coolmaster case i chose does not come with a psu.
if you read my previous post, here is the psu i chose:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
I understand, I was just suggesting the Fortan and coolmaster case was not the most cost efficent option. The Antec SLK1650B comes with decient 350W PSU all for $57. (newegg). If you wish the Coolmaster for style, etc... then that is, of course, your preference.
However, the point that I kept making, and at this point is obviously a non-starter, is that I do not recommend a mid-tower at all for a HTPC. I find that it is much more astically pleasing to purchase a rack-mount case and use that instead. I also recommend a wireless keyboard/mouse as the interface (for obvious reasons).
Edit - additional note -
One of the things that I find that people don't consider when first putting together a HTPC is noise. The average PC is noisy... and it is a real irritant when watching a movie or lisening to music. One of the things that I highly suggest when building an HTPC is thinking about what can be done to lower the noise from the machine.
1) The most critical is the case itself. Since airflow management is key in keeping temperatures reasonable, the case design will make or break your noise floor by allowing you to keep fans running slowly... or forcing you to up them to extreme levels. The other point in a good case, is some have HDD isolators, Noise suppression coatings, and other features to keep your case quiet.
2) The second most critical are the fans. oversizing and undervolting is a tried and true way of keeping airflow up, but lowering fan noise. The noise generated from a fan is normally generated at the fan tip and directly proportional to fan tip speed. However, CFM is also directly proportional to fan size.... so larger fans running at lower speeds are generally quieter (at the same CFM) as smaller fans running at higher speed. Similarly a good cpu cooler will be more efficent in keeping the cpu temperatures at reasonable levels allowing for lower fan speed.
3) Heat generation. AMD cpus are generally running cooler than intel cpus (with the exception of the moble P-M and Core duo). Running an AMD cpu undervolted/underclocked can help reduce the heat generated by the PC and thus lower the airflow necessary to keep temperatures low. Seasonic PSUs are also higher efficency PSUs than standard, this means that they give off less waste heat converting AC to DC for the computer... again allowing for lower speed fans. The other point is that Asus has come out with a mobo (MVP32) that has more regulators than normal for the cpu... that means conversion to cpu voltage is more efficent and again heat generated is lower.
4) The last point is the most questionable because it directly effects component life. There is a thermal envelope that the cpu and system has been designed at. The higher the temperature that you let your system heat up to (within the envelope) the higher the heat flux from your machine to the enviroment will be. In other words, let you pc heat up by throttling fans, etc and let the case itself radiate heat to the enviroment. Yes your machine will be hot to the touch. Yes you will be lowering the lifespan of the PC... but you will be rewarded with the quietest machine around, because for each CFM you flow out, more joules of waste energy will be exhausted... I highly suggest being careful with this... but the termal managment options built into BIOS will allow you to take advantage of this natural flux.
