Thread: Buying an HTPC any suggestions?

The Antec Fusion looks nice but I don't think it has enough room for what I want to use it for. I need at least 3 TB of space and I am not one for trusting HD not to fail so Ill be getting 3 1 TB drives

Hmm, about a year ago I helped a friend build an HTPC with what I'm 78% sure was an Antec Fusion 430, at the time I think it was one of the only cases that we could find locally, that came with 120mm fans. This was a big deal for me as I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to fans and imo, having anything smaller than 120mm will generally make too much noise to move enough air. (the goal is to make an HTPC almost completely silent) looks like it only has room for 2 drive bays? So maybe instead of 3x1TBs, you could go with 2x1.5TBs?

Also, the Fusion came with its own 'custom shape' PSU, which I didn't like at all, mainly because it just didn't have enough power to not have to worry about making it work too hard, and also because I never use stock PSUs (or fans for that matter). Also because if it died, it would be a bitch to replace it.

I plan on building an HTPC in around 6 months time and will want at least 3 drive bays, aiming for 6TB (hopefully 2TB drives will be down to 3 platters by then).

Just skimming through a couple of reviews, I remember looking at the Silverstone LC13B-E, which is as big as I would possibly go, but with the whole thing being cooled by 2+ 80mm fans.... come on.. Funnily enough, I know someone who actually made an HTPC with one of those and sure enough after a few months of using all the drive ways, 2 drives just couldn't take it any longer. Poor things, may they RIP.

I'm in a bit of a rush otherwise I'd usually provide better linkage, but this review from March last year, of 5 HTPC cases is a classic example of pretty much each one having at least one big issue (failure) in design, imo of course. :P

5 Beautiful HTPC Cases Reviewed - TechSpot

I'll have another look in a few days and try find ones that are more 'what to look for', instead of 'what to avoid'. :)

I've been on searching for a good htpc myself for a past few months. And frankly i couldn't find ready-to-go products on market which completely suit my needs. I'm looking for something like you - large capacity to use it as NAS for hd movies and ability to play 1080p hd video. As for what i've found out for myself i would likely try to assemble htpc myself based on nvidia ION2 (my only worry is that ION2 platform has pretty high TDP, i don't think it's possible to make it fanless unlike first ION, but for the ION1 i worry it won't be capable of playing 1080p). Here are 2 articles, they could be of help to you to make a decision

Building Silent 1080p Full HD Media Center HTPC. Part 1. | Mini Motherboard
Building Silent 1080p Full HD Media Center HTPC. Part 2. | Mini Motherboard