Small form factor build!

[Narj]

Hi all,

I've got my home cinema setup sorted and now I just need a small form factor PC to complete it. All it needs to be used for is:

- Audio playback
- Web Browsing from the sofa
- Running various emulators

I don't expect to do any gaming beyond MAME etc. HDMI out is preferred, as is silent operation.

I've never built an HTPC/SFF machine before so what are my options for about £400 tops? I'll run Linux if needs be to stay in budget as I'm happy either way OS wise.

Advice much appreciated.

 

[Narj]

Thanks for that Gav, looks good! I'll get it built come payday!

 

[Narj]

Will the stock cooler fit in this case? I thought you had to use one of the optional heat pipe kits?

The Impactics cases look great, but the extras soon add up.

I'm looking to order shortly and now I'm wondering about the cooler. Retail coolers aren't necessarily the quietest either so if there's a better aftermarket solution then I'm open to suggestions. Having a Silver Arrow in my main rig, I'm not in a position to figure out what would fit in one of these cases! The heatpipe solutions that connect to the Impactics chassis look interesting.

How do the Trinity range integrated graphics compare with the i3's?

 

[Narj]

Which case is it that you are thinking about ordering?

Trinity's integrated graphics are way beyond intels, image quality is also in a different league.

I'm looking at the "Impactics C3LH-B Mini-ITX Case". The Trinity graphics appeal to me as that then makes the prospect of light gaming seem feasible without going overboard.

 

[Narj]

Cheers, Legion.

I'll need an optical drive in all honesty. That Lian Li looks awesome although I'm guessing cable management is interesting to say the least? Could someone kindly suggest a trinity build for me as I have zero experience with this kind of build.


Thanks a million for all the advice, peeps