Need some quick advice... Mini ITX/mATX

[EvilGrin]

Hi guys, need some advice on a build. My choice is basically Mini ITX @ £230 or mATX @ £170 both inc del.

The specs of the respective builds are similar, here they are:

Mini ITX:

Aplus Cupid 3 Case - £59.99
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1797/a_cupid_3_mini_itx_htpc_chassis/index.html

Zotac Geforce 9300 PCB04 - £120
C2D E5400 - £50
Total: £229.99 inc delivery

mATX:

Wisdon 410 HTPC Case - £47.99
http://www.wisdon.com.tw/products_xq.asp?ProductNO=256 - very nice case, the internals are also used by a more expensive chieftec model (will need to get a cheap mATX psu with it too)
Or
InWin BL634 Case - £57.96
http://www.in-win.com.tw/products_pccase_series.php?cat_id=1&series_id=44&model_id=187

MSI P7NGM-Digital - £60
C2D E5400 - £50
Total: £167.96 inc delivery.

Not sure which mATX case I'd go for, I think I'd lean to the Wisdon as it'd go well with my amp, even though it's a bit larger.

Anyway, I'm just not sure at all what to do. On one hand I'd love a lovely small system like the Mini ITX, on the other hand, I can get a nigh on identical system, with better upgradability, for £60 less, with which I can buy a 1 TB hdd...

Any advice, or words of wisdom? I'm having real difficulty here!

Cheers guys.

 

[Destination]

Well, I can give you some advice, but not until Friday, I bought parts virtually identical to your mini-itx offering. They were dispatched today from OcUk and 2 other suppliers, and all should arrive tomorrow, allowing me to build on Friday.

I'd hope to have some information for you by Friday night regarding the first offerings. Will be happy to run any benches/tests and things you like, once it is assembled.
Can't help prior to that, its my first mini-itx build.

 

[EvilGrin]

Well, I can give you some advice, but not until Friday, I bought parts virtually identical to your mini-itx offering. They were dispatched today from OcUk and 2 other suppliers, and all should arrive tomorrow, allowing me to build on Friday.

I'd hope to have some information for you by Friday night regarding the first offerings. Will be happy to run any benches/tests and things you like, once it is assembled.
Can't help prior to that, its my first mini-itx build.

Honestly, it's not really performance that I'm worried about so much as I'm totally sure that both systems will be completely adequate for my HTPC needs. What I am worried about however is if I go ahead and get the mATX system I'll regret it due to it's size/aesthetics and wish I spent the extra for the Mini ITX. Really though I could use an extra 1TB hdd, and the money I'd save by getting the mATX system would let me pick one up in addition for almost bang on the same price as the Mini ITX system by itself.

Argh, what a conundrum!

 

[EvilGrin]

Well... Just said screw it, and ordered the mATX components, but with an Antec NSK1480 instead as it's a quality case, came to £187 inc delivery. It'll fit perfectly in my living room and really I couldn't justify the price difference with the Mini ITX as I didn't really gain anything from it! Will be receiving it next week, will get some build pics up when I do.