Mini-Itx HTPC

[anemos101]

I'm about to build a xmbc htpc but I can't find a good cheap case. I'll be going m-itx. Case budget is around £50 - £60. I'd prefer a case with a standard optical drive rather than the slimline

Any ideas?

 

[anemos101]

Looking for something with a set-top box feel, the PC-Q07b is far too big for something to sit in front of my tv.

1 250gig HD (Probably WD)
1 BR player
maybe an atom board with enough power to recieve transcoded 1080p files from a yet to be built WHS Vail server of my main game station.

A case with a PSU would be preferred.

 

[anemos101]

You're going to have to compromise with the optical drive if you want a small case.
Slimline optical is pretty much it for m-itx cases with a "set-top box feel"

Couple of suggestions I'd make within your budget are Antec ISK 300 (comes with either a 65w psu for a touch under £60 or a 150w psu for a touch over £60)

Coolermaster Elite 100,comes with a 150w psu for around £45.

CIT and Jou-Jye also make a lot of cases in this style so google those also.

I've built a couple of Htpc's now with AMD's E-350 (Zacate) boards,I'd take one of these over an Atom setup any day of the week,the gpu acceleration is far superior to anything Atom based.

Thanks for the info I'll have a little fiddle with google.