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Building new HTPC, but tight on space

post #1 of 11
7/25/12 at 6:08pm
Thread Starter 
We recently replaced our TV stand with a corner one and my current HTPC is too big. I had the Thermaltake DH202 case and is way too big.

I looked at Assassin's guide, but the only case that would really work without me cutting the back out (which I don't want to do) is the hec Black Micro ATX Media Center 300W case. The only thing is, my depth from the front to back is about 15 1/4". It shows about 14 1/2" for the depth which doesn't leave much room in the back of the case. I plan on probably cutting a square out of the back to allow for heat to escape.

At the widest the case can be 20" and the tallest 6". I'd almost like something to velcro to the back of the TV, but if I go that route I won't be able to use like a AMD Llano GPU or Sandy Bridge.

Anyone have any suggestions? Truly appreciate it.
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post #2 of 11
7/25/12 at 6:27pm
Thread Starter 
Actually after looking I did notice a ASRock mini-ITX board. This is what I put together:

CPU: AMD A6-3500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103951)
Motherboard: ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157273)
Case: APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091&Tpk=apex%20008&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4003003&SID=1qlaau3d9w83m)
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4003003&SID=jkoqhw2cz72r)
Adapter for SSD: Mushkin 2.5" to 3.5" drive adapter bracket (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812011)

I don't really need a Blu-Ray burner just yet; I rarely used the one I had in my old HTPC. And I already have a OCZ Agility3 60GB SSD I can use.

Any objections to this build? Altogether it's under $250.
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post #3 of 11
7/25/12 at 7:34pm
This is an i5-2390T, intel DH61AG based computer mounted on the VESA holes:

The case is a no brand type M350 case.
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post #4 of 11
7/25/12 at 7:53pm
Thread Starter 
I like that, but the CPU alone is the price of all the components I have listed.

That case isn't a bad price. Would need to email them to see if an AMD heatsink would fit.
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post #5 of 11
7/25/12 at 8:52pm
Sure, that CPU is selected to keep my wife happy, not that web browsing and email need it. An i3-2100 or G630 would be just fine.

HSF is a Dynatron T459. They should have AMD version too. That case will take a Sandybridge standard HSF.

The DH61AG MB has on board PSU. Without on board PSU you will need a picoPSU to fit in the case. Some seller package a picoPSU with this case.

Here is another small case:
http://www.mitxpc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=T3388150W
Edited by dksc318 - 7/25/12 at 9:07pm
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post #6 of 11
7/25/12 at 8:55pm
Thread Starter 
Probably spent the past hour researching the M350 case and the A6-3500 CPU. Found a guy who built and said it works perfectly. You just need to use a SSD drive which I have.

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=132650
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post #7 of 11
7/25/12 at 9:45pm
I have a llano system and it works great for HTPC, the only irritation is that desktop trinity should be out by this.

Why does your wife care whether its g630 or llano?

Speaking of low cost, I think you can pre-order a copy of win8 for $40, its tempting to buy a copy to put on the shelf for future system builds.
Edited by jeffkro - 7/25/12 at 9:58pm
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post #8 of 11
7/26/12 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakingcustom View Post

We recently replaced our TV stand with a corner one and my current HTPC is too big. I had the Thermaltake DH202 case and is way too big.
I looked at Assassin's guide, but the only case that would really work without me cutting the back out (which I don't want to do) is the hec Black Micro ATX Media Center 300W case. The only thing is, my depth from the front to back is about 15 1/4". It shows about 14 1/2" for the depth which doesn't leave much room in the back of the case. I plan on probably cutting a square out of the back to allow for heat to escape.
At the widest the case can be 20" and the tallest 6". I'd almost like something to velcro to the back of the TV, but if I go that route I won't be able to use like a AMD Llano GPU or Sandy Bridge.
Anyone have any suggestions? Truly appreciate it.

I have a Silverstone GD04 that I really like. It's 17.3" (W) x 5.9" (H) x 12.8"(D). I got it because I have a relatively shallow cabinet. If you put in a DVD or Bluray drive, you have to be careful about the height of the CPU cooler, and it's worth it to verify your power supply will fit, but other than that it's a nice compact design with good airflow.
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post #9 of 11
7/26/12 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 
I actually went ahead and got the Realan E-I5 case. So for a little over $300 got a decent HTPC. I was going to go with the M350, but I don't have the ability to put that behind my TV since it doesn't support the 100mx100m VESA and I don't want to use double side velcro. I have it currently on my Zotac ZBOX behind my other TV and that stuff is STUCK.
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post #10 of 11
7/26/12 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakingcustom View Post

...I was going to go with the M350, but I don't have the ability to put that behind my TV since it doesn't support the 100mx100m VESA and I don't want to use double side velcro....

It is a 100x100mm pattern on the M350 case. I used a 75x75mm to 100x100mm adapter plate to go on my monitor with 75x75mm mounting holes. Of course I found that out after the case arrived and had to wait on the adapter plate. The internet always offers a way.
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post #11 of 11
7/26/12 at 8:54pm
Thread Starter 
My TV doesn't even have that. All it has is 600mm x 400mm.
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