I'm specing out a PC that I would like to make the Center of a Home Entertainment Center.
I was thinking along these lines:
1) one of the nForce boards w/o integrated video (either Atx or micro Atx)
2) 512mb's of Pc2100
3) Ati Radeon 8500DV
4) Pioneer Super Drive (DvD, DvD-R, DvD-Rw, Cd-R, Cd-RW)
5) Wireless Keyboard & Mouse (or perhaps one of those combo keyboards)
6) Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 system (got a better idea for this??)
7) 100gb+ Hard Drive
What I want is to get a case that isn't so obtrusive as a PC case would be, but instead be nice and sleek so that it would fit in with the entertainment center.
Ex: The Ps2 looks nice next to a Tv and Stereo in a home entertainment center. I'm looking for a Pc case that would do the same.
I've seen some decent looking Micro Atx cases, but was wondering if any regular Atx cases where out there. (btw if you know of any good looking slim cases either size, please post a link)
Of course the whole thing is moot if there is no such thing as an AGP riser card (like in a rackmount, a riser cards allows a Pci card to be inserted horizontally), since I want the videocapture abilities of the 8500DV so I can use the Super Drive to take the place of a VCR as well and want the Radeon's DvD decoding ability so I can watch DvD's. Definitely need to know if an Agp riser card exists.
I have another question though. How good is the nForce board's audio?? Like is it comparable to the Hercules Game Theater Xp??
If the nForce's audio is good then the Micro Atx case will do (again assuming an Agp Riser card exists) because then the only thing I would need a riser card for is the videocard.
If anyone can help me out with this, it will be greatly appreciated.
I was thinking along these lines:
1) one of the nForce boards w/o integrated video (either Atx or micro Atx)
2) 512mb's of Pc2100
3) Ati Radeon 8500DV
4) Pioneer Super Drive (DvD, DvD-R, DvD-Rw, Cd-R, Cd-RW)
5) Wireless Keyboard & Mouse (or perhaps one of those combo keyboards)
6) Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 system (got a better idea for this??)
7) 100gb+ Hard Drive
What I want is to get a case that isn't so obtrusive as a PC case would be, but instead be nice and sleek so that it would fit in with the entertainment center.
Ex: The Ps2 looks nice next to a Tv and Stereo in a home entertainment center. I'm looking for a Pc case that would do the same.
I've seen some decent looking Micro Atx cases, but was wondering if any regular Atx cases where out there. (btw if you know of any good looking slim cases either size, please post a link)
Of course the whole thing is moot if there is no such thing as an AGP riser card (like in a rackmount, a riser cards allows a Pci card to be inserted horizontally), since I want the videocapture abilities of the 8500DV so I can use the Super Drive to take the place of a VCR as well and want the Radeon's DvD decoding ability so I can watch DvD's. Definitely need to know if an Agp riser card exists.
I have another question though. How good is the nForce board's audio?? Like is it comparable to the Hercules Game Theater Xp??
If the nForce's audio is good then the Micro Atx case will do (again assuming an Agp Riser card exists) because then the only thing I would need a riser card for is the videocard.
If anyone can help me out with this, it will be greatly appreciated.