Here is what I am looking to do. I have a time frame of tomorrow through end of the year, so no big rush, just starting research now.
I'd like to setup a "console" system. The idea being it would basically replace my consoles and be the only think hooked up in my game room. Looking to use the Steam Big Screen interface.
The other thing I would like to be able to do with the system would be video capture from consoles if I do decide to hook something up.
So my basic plan is something like this:
A small mid tower.
A i5 of some kind
A SSD for c:\ & games - thinking @ 256GB? I intend to only keep a game or two installed at a time.
A HD for other programs
A pair of HDs striped for recording video
Some sort of capture card - thinking Black Magic Intensity Pro
GPU - ??? I guess my price ceiling would be $300-$350?
Anything else I am missing? Things i should know, look for, didn't think of?
For a single system fitting your requirements, I think you've totally nailed it.
120-128GB SSD will suit your needs, plenty of room for OS + tons of programs + a few games. You can go bigger if you want some more room though.
I'd suggest a Micro ATX case, and since it's in your living room, I'd opt for a quiet mATX case.
The Fractal Define Mini will fit what you are looking to do. With the RAID0 array, BMIP, and heavy GPU use, you will want to upgrade the fans that come with it.
There's enough room to have all of the HDD cages installed for a 10.2" videocard, which fits reference GTX 670s, 660Tis, and 7870s/7850s. Some 680s will fit as well. However, you will only be using three HDD trays, so you can remove the upper one for more airflow and any videocard.
For replacement fans, it's hard to point at anything outside of the Corsair AF120s for the price. Some less expensive alternatives that are still great are the BitFenix Spectre Pros, Phobya G-Silent 1200RPM and low RPM Yate Loons (1200 or lower).
For the HDDs, as Haz points out in the OP, it's really tough to suggest anything right now. All the good HDDs are gone as the market has been stripped down to two manufacturers. Western Digital Reds are probably the best option at this point if you're looking for reliability.
For a GPU, you'll want to look at the 660Ti and the 7950. I like the latter more, but the former runs quieter. For 660Tis, look at the Gigabyte, ASUS, and MSI twin fan designs. For the 7950, look at the Sapphire and Powercolor twin fan cards or the Gigabyte three fan card. Once you've decided on 660Ti vs. 7950, you can't really go wrong between the specific options I've listed. Just buy whatever is the least expensive at the time.
The reasons why I like the 7950 over the 660Ti is that it has a lot more VRAM (3GB vs. 1.6-1.8), and that the card has a ton of headroom in terms of overclocking to definitely outshine the 660Ti.
Troubleshooting advice? I swapped video cards back to my old one and the errors disappear.
