mini-itx build helpz (HTPC)

craptakular · 2 Feb 2010 at 23:33

OK,

I currently have 4GB RAM DDR2 spare that I would like to reuse.

I also have a PCI full high TV card that I need to reuse.

Now I assume intel is the only real choice at this size?

I can't seem to find an i5 board that has DVi/HDMI out for the i3 graphics so looks like I will have to go socket 775.

I also have a full size DVD/BLU/HD-DVD LG drive that needs to be reused.

I have found this case:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-180-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

It isn't the most conventional in HTPC design but I had thought about not putting an itx psu in there and getting a pico-psu to keep noise and heat down. good or bad idea?

What processor? e5300 good enough? would like to source something second hand if I can.

I assume my only option for mainboard is a Zotac? Are they reliable?

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 2 Feb 2010 at 23:50

There is an H55 mini ITX motherboard made by Zotac:

http://pden.zotac.com/index.php?pag...category_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

I don't know when and if it will come to the UK.

Also a DFI P55 mini ITX motherboard is available in the UK. Only the dual core Core i3 and dual Core i5 processors have integrated graphics though!

The Zotac 9300 socket 775 motherboard is the best mini-ITX one to look at but make sure that you get the latest I-E version:

http://www.zotacusa.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2072-gf-9300-g-e-or-gf-9300-i-e/

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52598&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60

Another motherboard to consider is the Intel DG45FC:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Intel_DG45FC_mITX

However unlike the Zotac it does not have a full length PCI-E slot which works at PCI-E 2.0 16X.

There are also mini-ITX motherboards available for AMD processors made by Jetway,J&W and Zotac and these are available from specialist retailers in the UK which deal with SFF PCs.

The E5300 is more than powerful enough for an HTPC.

These threads regarding the Lian Li case are useful to look at:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52598

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1391096

craptakular · 3 Feb 2010 at 00:06

Yeh been reading about the boards all night, I think they cannot do what I want. They either have pc-e x16 or mini slots. I just need a standard pci slot. SAme issue with the H55/P55.

micro-atx is my saviour! I will just replace my case for now, dunno which one though. I want one without a psu compartment, just a pico-psu hole. I bet one simply doesn't exist.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 3 Feb 2010 at 00:16

Oxy said:
Yeh been reading about the boards all night, I think they cannot do what I want. They either have pc-e x16 or mini slots. I just need a standard pci slot. SAme issue with the H55/P55.

micro-atx is my saviour! I will just replace my case for now, dunno which one though. I want one without a psu compartment, just a pico-psu hole. I bet one simply doesn't exist.

The Intel DG41MJ has a PCI slot but only has the G41 IGP.

If you choose an AMD based setup you have some more options as the following motherboards have a PCI slot:
1.)Jetway JNC62K
2.)Jetway JNC81-LF
3.)MSI 690T
4.)Albatron KI690-AM2

craptakular · 3 Feb 2010 at 00:23

yeh been looking at them also lol...

I think micro atx is kinda easier, but the stumbling block is the case. Do you know of a case that doesn't have a psu hole, can take full hieght cards?

How expensive is it to build your own case? Any companies offer this service cheap?

Hotwired · 3 Feb 2010 at 00:33

There are very small mini-ITX cases which can take full height cards despite the case being only 60-90mm high.

To do it the card has to use a pci(-e) riser card to lift up and turn the card 90 degrees so it's parallel to the motherboard. However doing this usually blocks the installation of an optical drive, some storage drives, also (further) limits CPU cooler height as it hovers over much of the motherboard.

craptakular · 3 Feb 2010 at 00:38

Hotwired said:
There are very small mini-ITX cases which can take full height cards despite the case being only 60-90mm high.

To do it the card has to use a pci(-e) riser card to lift up and turn the card 90 degrees so it's parallel to the motherboard. However doing this usually blocks the installation of an optical drive, some storage drives, also (further) limits CPU cooler height as it hovers over much of the motherboard.

yeh I wanted to avoid all that.

I had an ideal tonight of buying the Q07 case, having a pico-psu so I could install say a fenrir cooler with silent fan, which would be awesome ahd totally silent and small.

Alas there doesn't appear to be a mainboard that has a pci slot.

I can't find any mini-DTX mainboards which have 2 slots.

I think a custom made micro-atx maybe my only option. How pricey will that be??

Unless I made it out of acrylic, but then I don't have one of the those heat bender thingys like we used in school.

JonJ678 · 3 Feb 2010 at 11:46

Out of curiosity, why are you rejecting amd? Theres a J&W mini-itx board which I'll probably use for a project around the summer. This one, "MINIX™ 785G-SP128MB".

If you're making the case yourself, not too unreasonable. Probably around £50 if you went for 5mm aluminium plate, based on 500mm x 250mm x 5mm for £28 delivered. Cheaper if you used thinner material or acetal. If you're hiring someone else, it will not be cheap as the man hours involved will be significant.

craptakular · 3 Feb 2010 at 12:18

I'm not rejecting AMD it just seems they all use laptop ram, like the one you linked me to, it also doesn't have a pci slot for a TV card.

JonJ678 · 3 Feb 2010 at 12:41

Using sodimm is fairly inconvenient but could be worse, not much space on a mini-itx board. The price gap between laptop and desktop ram isn't so bad either. I'm more worried about power consumption than about the ram tbh, intel seem to have the edge there but then there aren't any mini-itx H55 boards available yet.

You may have to get a new tv card or move to m-atx, there's not really enough variety out there with the smaller form factor to insist on pci I'm afraid

On the bright side, m-atx cases are more common and varied than mini-itx, sparing you making your own.

craptakular · 3 Feb 2010 at 12:58

yeh true. I also cannot use ATI graphics cards as the beeb changed there HD feed or summit which exposed a loop hole in the ATI drivers, resulting in blockyness! I still don't think it's fixed yet.

ho hum, will just have to buy a decent case for my current build.