Media based PC

[bleddyn]

I'm building a media PC and want your input on what sort of case I should or could use, the case will be housed underneath a table that is approximately 32cm high, what components I should throw in there- the sound card as I am going the ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX route do the inputs etc. Also any sound junkies are welcome to throw in ideas for a good audio speaker set up for a small room in a 2.1 config =]

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Well this is a M-ATX case and is 320mm http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=546&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=63&g=spec

If your not planning on fitting a graphics card for gaming and just want to watch films and play music then look at some M-ATX H67/Z68 boards.

If you want to do some gaming and add a graphics card then look at P67 or Z68 board. Personally I'd try to hold out for the Asus Gene-Z if you want to go down this path.

Speaker, I'd take a look at the Corsair 2500 (think that's right) speakers Tom reviewed a few weeks back as people seem to be raving about those.

Anyway, give us a bit more detail on what you want from this PC and if you think that case will fit or if it's too expensive or something and we'll try to help you out some more

 

[sheroo]

Do you have any depth or width limitations as well? Alot of these small cases tend to be quite deep. Have you thought about Mini ITX? How much storage you want in there will have a big effect on your choice of chassis.

Karlos is right, we just need a few more details, these days a media pc covers alot of area.

 

[marsey99]

I think the silverstone lc range are about as small as you will get but as said I think you should look at an itx build if your after a cool, quite htpc. You can spec a pretty slick amd build on itx

 

[bleddyn]

Depth wise your looking old crt32" area big bugger. Width wise a larger DVD player maybe a little wider. I was hoping to maybe avoid itx boards as it will also be my backup PC and storage a few terabytes.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Depth wise your looking old crt32" area big bugger. Width wise a larger DVD player maybe a little wider. I was hoping to maybe avoid itx boards as it will also be my backup PC and storage a few terabytes.

So you could fit something like this? http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=552&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=63

Did you want to use it for gaming because that would alter the motherboard we might recommend?

Also, how many hard drives where you thinking of fitting?

 

[Grizzly]

For a dedicated media PC Asus do an MATX AMD Hudson motherboard which would save you some cash, would do OK as a backup PC, it uses little power and it's silent. If an integrated CPU isn't something you fancy then there are a couple of lower end Gigabyte Z68 mobos that are MATX and look OK on spec. I suppose this could depend somewhat on the spec of the PC this would be a backup for, could you enlighten us a little on that?

 

[Rastalovich]

Purely Media based ?

£30 socket 775 mobo.** (G31M/G41M)

£30 or so c2d/pentium (or something you got laying around)

£30 or so low profile passive gfx card if you want hmdi and a little acceleration for artwork/web etc.

Around 2g of ddr2

2.1 sound ? Use the onboard alc888/9/9a (** check the mobo)

Throw in a wifi card, nice quick harddrive and a tiny microatx case, one with a small 300w or so psu.

Under £150 easy all-in.

Get a bit fruity and add remotes etc. Windows mce controllers work well or a wireless xbox controller. XBMC is a great front end to use.