[mille_miglia]

building first htpc. want something compact yet versatile.


uses:

bluray video playback

hdmi output

dual display output

wifi

ps3 media server

media storage

ssd expandability (so I can isolate the OS from the media in the future)


and will be used as a 2nd computer with vista or linux and then windows 7 when it comes out.


Here is what I am thinking about:

ZOTAC GF9300-D-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI WiFi Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

SILVERSTONE NT07-775 90mm CPU Cooler - Retail

DDR2 4GB PC6400 PNY

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum / Steel LC09B Mini-ITX Media Center / HTPC Case

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive


Total PRICE: $455.96


OR


ZOTAC GF9300-D-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI WiFi Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

GELID Solutions Slim Silence 775 75mm Ball CPU Cooler - Retail

DDR2 4GB PC6400 PNY

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

M350 Universal Mini-ITX enclosure


TOTAL PRICE: $359.99


and I will be adding as many fans as/if I can.


I will be adding a bluetooth/ir remote and bluetooth keyboard and a blueray burner to the silverstone case(which means I would probably get the older version to have the larger drive space). ill also probably mount the m350 case onto a tv if i choose that one.


Now I'm also not really sure about what kind of power supply I need. any suggestions?


In addition I need to think of a workaround for this mobo since it does not support wake on usb. any thoughts?


Finally, I have also considered getting the ZOTAC IONITX-A-U Atom N330 1.6GHz Dual-Core 441 NVIDIA ION Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo, but wanted to stray from it because of the inadequate flash output.


thanks for any ideas about the above. this is my end of summer project so I want to make it sweet.


mike

 

[gbh2]

I think you need to decide what is more important to you, the ultra small form factor of something like the M350 or the flexibility of something a bit bigger like the LC09B. But I have a few thoughts on your possible setups:


power supply - http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-...&category=1097

this would work for the M350 but you may want to consider it for the other case because the 60W psu it comes with would really be cutting it too close and probably would not have the 24 pin atx connector and p4 connector for the Zotac.


The M350 is meant to take a 2.5" hard drive although I have seen someone stuff a 3.5" in the case but it will add to heat problems.


The E5200 should be sufficient for your needs but I bought the E6300 for about $10 more than the E5200. If you can get a good price I would highly recommend the E6300.


Wake on USB - If you are not in a big rush to buy your parts the Zotac GF9300 latest PCB version (03), has support for USB WakeUp (S3), Dual Link DVI and an extra SATA connector - but it hasn't shipped yet. If you can't wait you can still do wake on ps/2 or add something like the Antec Mult-Station Basic Internal IR receiver that wires into the atx power connector.


I am using Windows 7 Beta and it is great, I believe you can still get it and use it for free for the next year (approx.).


The M350 is a great form factor but the size has limitations with respect to your stated purposes e.g. no optical drive, 2.5" hdd and no internal room for more storage or additional cooling.


My system is:
Morex T3500 w/ 150w external psu (92 x 200 x 235 mm )

Zotac 9300 itx

E6300 oc @3.4ghz

4G ram

320gb wd 7200 rpm scorpio black. 2.5"

AeroCool Streamliner 140mm x 20mm fan

it has room for a slim optical drive


My plan is to use the 2.5 hdd for os and applications and use an external 1 to 1.5 Tb (or multiple drives) hdd for storage


You just need to decide what your priorities are. Ultra small form factor is awesome but something a little bigger may meet your needs better. You may even want to look at something a little taller than the LC09B like an Apex MI-008 - you could probably fit a 2.5" ssd, a 3.5" hdd, a full size optical drive, and a 120mm fan. If you replace the psu with a pico psu you could have a virtually silent system that meets all of your requirements with low temperatures.


Good Luck

 

[mille_miglia]

Thanks for your thoughts. much appreciated.


So I will probably ditch the 2nd setup. I really liked its form factor, but you're right, it probably wont fit my needs as well. im less willing to not be able to expand than to have a small device.


I really like the silverstone case, but Ill have to think of maybe a bigger one. I want the case to be as flat as possible though. Any one know of any cases that are slightly taller and look sleek like the silverstone? One with maybe an external lcd if its not too pricey. I've considered http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=antec%20basic but again, id rather something flatter and with a piano black finish to match my ps3 if possible.


I will definitely wait until the latest version of that mobo comes out. the current version is almost perfect, but it seems like the next iteration will be even better.


anyone have any other thoughts or ideas? all are welcomed.

 

[Ric_Margiotta]

Have a look at the Silverstone LC19 , which is just a little taller than the LC09 at 68mm. It's pretty stylish and understated, but like most small cases, you need to do your research as to what fits! The specs you've listed there should be fine though. I'm using the NT07 cooler on my 780G board, although I replaced the fan with the Kaze Jyu Slim fan. It's a bit quieter and covers a larger area, 100mm rather than 80mm. I've got a 3.5" HDD in there but no optical drive.


In general, it's a great case, but you've definitely got to plan for heat. I was finding that the air flow wasn't quite good enough and that after an evening switched on components were starting to get toasty (CPU idling around 50-52 and heading up to 60 in use). As I'm not using any PCI cards and therefore have a bit of space free, I've now attached an undervolted Nexus Basic 120mm fan to the top left of the case blowing out, and everything is at least 10 degrees cooler. Now the CPU fan rarely goes above half speed and the case is incredibly quiet.

 

[mille_miglia]

Thanks for the reply. I will keep the heat issues in mind. That case you suggested would be a better alternative to the silverstone I had listed.


Another case I do like is the SST-ML02B-MXR or SST-ML02B-R I should have no poblem connecting the front card readers slots and usb to the mobo right? I think maybe the mobo is maxed out with USB from having 6 on the back. I also like that this case has the front LCD, card reader, and included IR remote. those are all +'s.


Anyone have any other ideas how I can make this even better? Thanks again.

 

[Ric_Margiotta]

Yeah, the ML02 is a nice case as well. Both it and the LC19 are very similar in size and layout, but the ML02 does have the shinier front and LCD. I was originally going to buy the ML02, but I wound up wanting to keep it a little simpler and wasn't really fussed for the LCD. Plus, I already had my heart set on the Gyration remote, so didn't need another.


I would have thought that there wouldn't be any problems hooking up the front connectors, but I haven't looked at the motherboard specs. Normally there's jumpers to add on extra USB slots, although I'm aware the Zotac is a pretty compact board. I think there's a dedicated thread for the board on the forum, I'm sure you'd get an answer there.