Gaming HTPC

M

Muadebe

Active member
Hi,

I am looking at getting an HTPC (to fit under the TV) my dilemma is choice of CPU and GPU. The rest of the components are identical.

I will only really be playing WoW, Diablo 3, Guild Wars 2.

The two choices are :

1) A8-3870k with 560Ti or
2) i3 2130 with 6870

Both come out at same price.

Any advice welcome.

Edit : Looking for an aftermarket cooler for the A8 -advice welcome.
 
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W

Wozza63

Biblical Poster
For the best performance you want the llano chip alongside the AMD GPU, so the A8-3870k should be with the 6870, and it will give you superior gaming performance as they will work in hybrid crossfire
 
M

Muadebe

Active member
Hi,

Looks like intel is the better option which is a shame as the A8 looked like it offered the best of both worlds.
 
W

Wozza63

Biblical Poster
the A8 would still be the dominant chip over the i3 as it is quad core, which you need for higher settings, and it matches the 560Ti very well in terms of the settings that both can achieve (ultra for most games)
 
M

Muadebe

Active member
Hi,

I was thinking about getting a better cooler for the CPU than the reference amd one (assuming I go with the A8) as some overclocking would be nice.
Would PCspecialist fit one for starters?
Could anyone recommend one ?

The case is a Zalamn 501.

Thanks.

Edit: a6870 gpu will used.
 
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M

Muadebe

Active member
Hi,

Thought I'd share my finished specs that I will order hopefully next month :



Case
Zalman HD501 HTPC Case + 450W PSU

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-3450S (2.8GHz) 6MB Cache

Motherboard
ASUS® P8H61-M LE/USB3 (NEW REV 3.0): M-ATX, USB 3.0, SATA 3.0Gb/s

Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB)

Graphics Card
1GB AMD RADEON™ HD7770 - DVI,HDMI,2 mDP - DX® 11, Eyefinity 4 Capable

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 16MB CACHE

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs

USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence

Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE

Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days

I went with the better CPU instead of GPU as this (from research done) should provide better gaming when in 25 man Raids in WoW, multiplayer in Diablo 3 and World v World in Guild wars 2 - later down the line I will add a 7870 to this so it will fly.

Thanks

Edit : £691.00
 
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