best mini-itx htpc

I usually take New Egg reviews with a grain of salt as a lot of the complaints are from people that don't even own the product or just plainly don't know what they are doing .

It would appear though that ( I read the reviews to) a lot of units are doa or die shortly after purchase . Remember though , most people don't go on reviews or forums to say how good something is , usually only how bad a product is .

Personally , I stay away from pre built computers ( Asus is a quality vendor though) . They tend to be built with cheap parts that are not well known and full of bloat ware . If you want a pre built unit then I would choose a private custom builder . There are many on this forum and I personally have a bit of experience with Assassins builds and can say with all confidence that you will not have a better experience or build else ware

Another option is to take a look at Assassins hardware guides and pick your own parts and build it yourself . It really isn't hard at all and can be done in a couple hours tops .

Slot-loading BD, WiFi built-in, card reader, 750GB HDD, power adapter, nice case. seems to have IR remote built-in tho it's not clear from the description. Nor do I see the OS but it must be W7? You could probably build one for a $100 less, or you could buy this one and tweak it.

Very nice I think, though I'd want to put a SSD or mSATA in it myself.

There is a reason that Dell quit making the Zino. Early reports are the ASRock units aren't much different.

Do a search on avs and you will see.

This AsRock thing is cute, expensive and can die at any moment if I am reading Newegg reviews right.

I built my own mini-ITX system with Antec's Vesa 110. Small and does the job. As for cute, pfft. I would have gone with mATX if my useless "entertainment" unit had an extra inch of space. Forget pre-built PC's, do it yourself, it doesn't take very long.

Tiddles, what components did you use?

Actually, never mind. I was thinking about a new HTPC and then my therapist came along and asked me: "Why do you need HTPC #12?"
Edited by galileo2000 - 9/30/12 at 9:07pm

G540 + 4GB KVR DDR kit + Gigabyte H61N-USB3 + Samsung 830 64GB SSD - 325 or so in total. Substitute the mini-ITX mobo for a better one if you can find one. I had limited choices.

Compare the ASRock to this barebones: http://www.ecosmartpc.com/ei5g530.html

This seems to be better - to me.

Still, me thinks me can build mini-itx i3/H77- based machine for about $400, using the components of my choice.

Just be sure you get a nice case. Life is too short for cheap plastic cases .

I like the Antec case and how it can be mounted behind the monitor.

But your thing is very nice, I must admit.

I might as well go for it w/upgrade to H77 and i3 3220. Bedroom HTPC ?

StardogChampion, any discounts for the AVS members?

PM me and we can talk about that .

You might be interested in this if you want to mount it to a monitor: http://www.minicase.net/product_E-K3.html

I like that case. Looks like a negative power coupling for a tie fighter.

My living room media PC uses a thermaltake SD100 (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1414&ID=1894). The piano black finish really blends in nicely. I had to case-mod it a bit though. I removed the reset button and installed the guts of an iMon 3.5" infrared receiver (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880300006) so I could use a remote control. Worked out well. The case fan is noticeable if you're not playing anything back, but I can't hear it at all during playback. Next time I open it up to clear the dust out of it, I might replace the fans with something more quiet.

"These are the mini-itx computer cases you are looking for"