Oct 05, 2018 im looking for a cpu cooler that will be stable under 24/7 high performance mode load. I have an AIO and using it 24/7 max clock kills them at around the year mark. I just want a cooler that can give me good clocks 24/7 budget is $200 i want the best.
Free PDF: This checklist will help you to get it right the first time. You will learn how to avoid all the pitfalls I have experienced.Are you still wondering whether it is still worth it to have a Home Theater PC in light of services like Netflix and devices like Android TV boxes?I would suggest you.In this post, you’ll find out:.There are many generic “build your first HTPC” articles available on the Internet.I wanted to create a very practical post that is full of insights to help you avoid the same mistakes that I’ve made. Choose a low-TDP processorThe biggest challenge for many is making the home theater computer as quiet as possible.The main source generating heat inside a case is the processor.You should choose a low-TDP processor, such as with a max TDP (Thermal Design Power) of no more than 65 watts.The low-power CPU runs at reduced voltages and emits less heat, which requires less cooling.In case you have no idea what to choose, there are four builds that.The most popular choices are the latest Intel i3 processors.
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AMD AM1 Athlon processors are also great choices, although they are nowadays more difficult to find.I would recommended to go with a “more than adequate” CPU for a HTPC. A more powerful 65W TDP CPU at 10% load will dissipate less heat than a less powerful 45W TDP CPU at 80% load. Yes, an SSD worth it. SSD for operating system is the best single upgrade you can do for your HTPC to improve the speed and responsiveness.Minimize fan noiseThe key to building a quiet HTPC is to use low power parts.They generate less heat and thus require cooling.Let’s focus on other causes for heat which require more cooling. Small caseThe smaller the case, the more difficult it is to get proper airflow.It’s good to keep in mind that smaller mini ITX form factor cases usually have smaller fans.Small fans are louder than the larger ones used in micro ATX and ATX cases.A larger case also means that you can have better airflow and room for more hard drives and other peripherals. Power supplyAn inefficient PSU generates more heat, so you should get a 80Plus certified PSU.If possible, get a highly efficient and passive power supply that works without a fan.This way you will not hear fan noises from the PSU.
CPU coolerStock fans are often loud, so get an aftermarket cooler instead.I’ve been using both Intel’s and AMD’s stock fans, and in principle they are okay to use.To have a truly silent HTPC you should replace the stock fan with an aftermarket cooler.Scythe Big Shuriken 2 or Noctua NH-L9 are great choices. Case fansI have three fans in my case.I’ve connected only one to the motherboard, because according to my tests that is enough to provide proper airflow with the CPU cooler.I also replaced the original case fan with Noctua NF-S12A ULN aftermarket case fan.Alternatively, you can often adjust the speed of case fans from the BIOS settings. Use a larger Micro ATX case for better airflow, get an aftermarket CPU cooler, use 120 mm case fans with minimum fan speeds, and get a passive PSU.Ensure compatibilityThere is no rush to build your HTPC.Take your time to carefully research components to make sure they are all compatible with each other.When building your first HTPC, you want to know for sure if these parts are compatible.Unfortunately, I’ve faced several compatibility issues. The height and length of the graphics cardBe sure to check the dimensions of the graphics card carefully before purchasing.For example, I bought a very nice passive cooled graphics card.It did not fit inside my case because it was slightly higher than regular cards due to its passive cooling solution.Also, make sure that the power supply you have chosen is powerful enough for the graphics card. The size of the power supplyI wanted to have a completely silent power supply (PSU), so I purchased Seasonic X400 passive and modular PSU.What I did not realize was that the case I was using (Silverstone GD06) was not compatible with the Seasonic X400.
The PSU was too long.After removing the HDD bay I was able to fit the PSU inside the case.So, be sure to check that the size of the PSU is compatible with the case. The height of the CPU coolerYou should be careful in checking the maximum height your case can support.In addition, you should also make sure to check the layout of your motherboard.Different motherboard manufacturers position the CPU slot in different places.I made this mistake when building a mini-ITX case based home theater PC.The CPU cooler was too large and did not fit inside the case (because of the power supply cord).Be sure to check the layout of the motherboard to make sure the aftermarket CPU cooler will fit inside the case. Get a NAS server to store media files on, and watch them on your HTPC. This way you can keep the system silent and still have multiple hard drives in use.Opt for a front-end software that can be customizedThere are as many opinions as there are people.The best front-end software to choose really depends on what you want to achieve with your media center.Do you want to watch live TV? Play Blu-ray discs? Use stunning looking skins?
Watch Hulu and Netflix, etc.?The best compromise for the majority of users is. Kodi (was XBMC) stands for customizationThe main reason why you should install Kodi on your HTPC is customization.One of Kodi’s main features is its customization and hey, isn’t that really THE reason why you wanted to build a HTPC in the first place.You want to be able to customize your media experience according to your needs.You can decide how your user interface looks.You can decide what menus and shortcuts are visible.You can decide what online services you use, as there are hundreds of that allow you to use the online services that you really want to use. As you are building a custom HTPC, you should opt for a media center that has endless customization possibilities. Most often the live TV picture quality issues relate to deinterlacing problems that can be resolved either by changing video settings or getting a discrete graphics card.PlayOn brings Hulu, Netflix and other content into KodiI wish I knew about many years ago.My biggest annoyance was to get premium content channels, such as Hulu and Netflix working with it.I especially had some difficulties in the Linux operating system.It seemed to be impossible to get Netflix working.Fortunately, with I have been able to watch all my favorite TV shows online. Windows-based computer is requiredThe downside is that you will need a separate Windows-based desktop PC or laptop that will run the PlayOn Media Server software.Then you can add PlayOn as an UpNP share in the Kodi in order to stream movies and TV shows.You can even add TV shows and movies to your Kodi library using these instructions.So, what are you waiting for?.