Is this HTPC setup cabable of running hd movies and netflix, HBO etc

[AronChan]

Hi All

Im considdering the following setup for my new media center solution:

Tower: Silverstone SST-FT03B-Mini Fortress
CPU: Intel Core i3 4330
PSU: SilverStone SFX Series ST30SF
MOBO: MSI H87I AC
RAM: Kingston HyperX Genesis - DDR3 - 4 GB - 1600 MHz
GFX: ZOTAC GeForce GT 640 - ZONE Edition
Harddrive: Kingston SSDNow S200

My question is:
Will this setup be able to run HD movies, stream from popular streaming services like NetFlix and HBO through a browser?

 

[Novuake]

Very bad choice in SSD. Get a Crucial M500/MX100 or Samsung EVO, whichever is cheaper.

As for HD playback, you do not need a graphics card for that, the integrated Intel Graphics is sufficient.
Hell you can even get an AMD APU for a little more of a balanced build, CPU vs GPU.

 

[AronChan]

But will it also be able to stream 1080p content in a web browser without the graphics card? My old Atom processor with dedicated ati hd graphics card is not powerfull enough to do that

 

[Novuake]

But will it also be able to stream 1080p content in a web browser without the graphics card? My old Atom processor with dedicated ati hd graphics card is not powerfull enough to do that

Yes, it will be. Integrated graphics has moved forward A LOT in the last few years.

What is your budget?
Then I can give you some option. I can potentially save you some money.

 

[AronChan]

Budget is not so important. Whats important is that it will stream netflix in 1080p through my webbrowser (also other streaming services) and that it can play back 1080p MKV movies.

 

[Novuake]

No dedicated graphics card is necessary for that.
Just get 2x 4GB of RAM and a decent SSD.

 

[AronChan]

No dedicated graphics card is necessary for that.
Just get 2x 4GB of RAM and a decent SSD.

Isnt 8GB ram overkill for just watching movies? Also could you elaborate on why i should pick another SSD?

 

[Novuake]

No dedicated graphics card is necessary for that.
Just get 2x 4GB of RAM and a decent SSD.

Isnt 8GB ram overkill for just watching movies? Also could you elaborate on why i should pick another SSD?

if you will be using integrated graphics, the extra 4GB would make a difference, besides. 4GB of RAM is A LOT cheaper than a GT640.

As for an SSD, the one you chose has 3 major problems.

1. Low capacity, 30GB is NOT enough. 60GB is even cutting it a bit close for just a few basic applications + Windows.
2. Its a VERY outdated SSD.
3. Even for when it released it was a low cost, low quality NAND flash SSD that I would not trust even a little.