Need a HTPC case (very specific requirements)

SiD the Turtle

SiD the Turtle

SiD the Turtle

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16 Nov 2003
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Hi chaps,

My HTPC is currently sitting in the full ATX Silverstone LC-17 and to be frank, it's bloomin' large. It consists of a E2200, full 3.5inch HDD, full 5.5inch Blu-Ray drive and full size 550watt Corsair PSU.

I want to shrink it down as far as possible so it doesn't look like the obelisk from 2001 in the living room. I can sell the full size board, reuse the PSU, swap out the HDD for a 2.5 inch HDD and get hold of a mini-itx board so here are my requirements:

Must be small, slimline or SFF.
Must support full size Blu-Ray drive.
Must have a PSU that can support a Core 2 Duo.

I like the Silverstone Sugo, but it only takes slimine drives. Any other ideas? The PSU seems to be the killer, few mini-itx and mAtx boards sport PSUs over 100watts.
 
I've just been looking at this, and I've concluded that something that takes an ATX PSU and a MATX board is the way forward. Mini-ITX is too restrictive for my needs.

The Lian Li V350 or Silverstone Sugo 1 are great cases, but lack the Hi-Fi feel.

I would like to know what other suggestions people have for cases less than £80 that fit the bill and look in place with hi-fi equipment.

I looked at the LC17 actually, and liked it, but it's a little large, and they don't come up for sale often second hand. The new price is way too much for me to justify for what is a fairly simple case.

EDIT: I seem to remember there was a Lian-Li mini ITX case that took full size drives, but it was fairly ugly iirc. It was this one.
 
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yeah HTPc cases seem to charge a fair premium, cases that meet your requirements would be antec fusion and Lian Li PC-C33B, however both are £125 so too expensive, I built PC for my dad today and wanted to do HTPC but couldnt justify the cost of case so just got normal mATX case and put it to the side of his cabinet :eek:
 
Well my HTPC currently resides in a white Akasa Zen, complete with black BD-ROM drive in the front, it's just screaming to be replaced. I'll need a MATX board first, though seriously considering the V350 or Sugo (more the Lian Li) as they both look pretty neat in the lounge anyway. Won't be buying new, have to be second hand.
 
I've recently been looking at HTPC cases and they seem to get very expensive once they start including IMon displays and integrated IR receivers etc..

Silverstone seem to have the best selection with a balance of looks, functionality and quiet cooling performance.
 
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