Mini-ATX & Mini-ITX

Smiler · 3 Feb 2012 at 18:15

Hello folks,

I'm looking to build a pc / media centre hybrid and am looking at the options.

What is the difference between a mini-atx and a mini-itx?

I am hoping to use an i3-2120 processor, will these styles of board be up to it? Is there a preference for either one?

Cheers,

Smiler.

cmndr_andi · 3 Feb 2012 at 18:24

Mini-ITX (170x170mm) is a really small board - ideal for HTPC systems that you want to keep small. Often these boards come at a price premium as they are not made in large numbers and fitting everything in such a small area is tricky.

Micro-ATX are usually just a shorter version of a standard ATX motherboard - so it has less PCIE/PCI slots than a full size board, but the same width (~244 x 201mm is often seen).

May I ask what kind of tasks you plan to do with this PC/media centre?

Smiler · 3 Feb 2012 at 18:32

Many thanks for that, are the Mini-ITX boards still competent performers?

Planned use will be HD film playback through a home theatre system and full fat music playback through a Hi-Fi seperates system with as little loss in quality as possible.

PC side will be general internet type stuff but also for working on my website so basic photo editing and perhaps some basic video editing in the future. It might also be used for gaming but nothing sensational, it'll be more the kids than me and they're used to a nintendo Wii.

Cheers,

Smiler.

beejjacobs · 3 Feb 2012 at 18:44

For HTPC uses mini-ITX is great, and will handle video playback no problem

Depends how small you want/need it micro-ATX is more expandable and generally have more features. Though for your use mini-ITX will probably suffice

cmndr_andi · 3 Feb 2012 at 18:48

Aye, you can get mini-ITX boards that can support quad core sandy bridge CPUs - the one caveat is that boards of this size can rarely overclock very well, so expect to run whatever CPU you go for at stock clocks.

Do you have a total budget in mind for the system?

As for the HD film playback - that should be pretty simple with a modern low-end AMD or Nvidia graphics card. These cards can also do bitstreaming of audio to an AV reciever. For the Hi-fi system, what kind of inputs does this have?

Based on your uses I am leaning towards recommending an AMD Llano system - as that will give you a decent quad core CPU and decent low/mid level GPU rolled into one small package. However, if you want more power and are willing to spend a bit more then a sandy bridge i3 dual core (or i5 quad core) with a discrete graphics card would be a good road to go down.

Bane · 3 Feb 2012 at 20:10

Would on-board sound of a mini-ITX be fine for lossless music playback via Hi-Fi? At least with Micro-ATX you could use an addin soundcard.

cmndr_andi · 3 Feb 2012 at 20:20

It depends on the individual board, but broadly - yes.

For example most s1155, s1156 and Llano boards can do audio bitstreaming. As can most current HTPC-aimed graphics cards like the GT 430 and HD 6570.

Smiler · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:37

Ah, so to get one thing clear, do Mini-ITX boards allow fitment of a graphics card and a sound card and any other expansion?

The Stereo Amp only has analogue inputs. The AV processor has both TOSLink and Coaxial digital inputs but no HDMI

cmndr_andi · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:43

Mini-ITX board usually only have room for one expansion slot due to their small size. Usually this is a PCI-E x16 slot, though some only have a PCI slot.

If your stereo only has analogue inputs then you really want a discrete sound card - since the motherboard sound outputs are usually not great quality - especially if you are an audiophile. This would usually suggest buying a PCI or PCIE sound card, but you should also bear in mind that decent quality USB sounds cards are also available.

As for the AV reciever the digital inputs should be fine for connecting the sound output from the motherboard (one which does bitstreaming) though if you are getting a sound card anyway for the stereo then you could just use the digital outputs on that.