HTPC Case Advice

[DirtyMetis]

Thought I'd piece together an cheap HTPC to play around with some spare parts I've got sittin' around collecting dust. Thus far I've snagged up a PVR 150 MCE and a MCE2005 Remote, and now I'm faced with some decisions to make.

I've got an ABIT KT7 I believe with an Athlon 1200 and a stick of 512 MB PC133 SDRAM that I'd like to use. My main questions include:

1) Will the Athlon/Mobo be enough for decent HTPC operation?
2) Would 1 GB (figure I'll pick up another stick for $30 or so) be enough or is SDRAM really gonna hinder me that much over DDR?
3) What case would y'all suggest for this? Definately want a desktop (horizontal type), full ATX board support so I don't have to get a new mobo (unless the answer to #1 and/or 2 above indicate that I should) and would like to get by with not paying more than $100 or so if possible.

Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks!!!

 

[wisdomtooth]

Not sure if an Athlon 1200 would be fast enough for driving a PVR system, but you might want to head over to HTPCNews and post on their board and see if anyone there has had success with it.

As far as a full-ATX desktop-type HTPC case goes, the nice-looking ones do cost well over $100 unfortunately. And before you buy a cheaper one like a Coolermaster Cavalier, beware of proprietary/small form factor PSUs. Those are not very quiet (and quietness is important for HTPCs).

I use a Silverstone LC03 myself. Great HTPC case.

HTH.

 

[DirtyMetis]

Thanx wisdomtooth, was kinda hoping to get a response from you in particular as you seem to be somewhat of the HTPC case guru around here. I'll give HTPCNews a shot and definately consider the Silverstone LC03, if I can scrape up enough cash. Thanks again!

 

[Wolfshanze]

Wisdomtooth is wise... the Silverstone LC03 is probably the best standard ATX case available in desktop case form.

Do realize however, the LC03 is a bit on the "not so deep" category at 16" total depth. If you have an oversized video-card, it might not fit, but if you have a standard-length video card, you should be fine.

I have an LC03 too, but with a full-size ATX MB, the memory is sitting underneath my 5 1/4" drive bays, my video card is up against the HD, and my PSU cables are stuffed underneath the drive bays... as you can tell, my case is very cramped (of course mine is fully packed as a main system). I'm going to send my case to the attic once I get my Enlight 7200 desktop case custom painted*.

Still, if you're not going to put too much in the case, I would recomend the LC03 as well. It's a very nice looking case, and if it's not overstuffed, a great HTPC/Desktop case.

(*I'm having my Enlight 7200 case [with a roomy 18.8" depth] custom airbrushed midnight black... can't wait to get it back)

 

[wisdomtooth]

BTW an interesting aside... The deepest HTPC case I have found so far is the Ahanix D5. It's 18.07 inches deep. Problem is, it only has one external 5.25" drive bay and the price tag is $239 (!). :frown:

I can pay for it after doing two wisdom teeth extractions, ( ) but that's a bit much for even me to justify..

 

[Wolfshanze]

The days of the full ATX (with external bays and ATX PSU bays) Desktops are long gone. I think the Enlight 7200 is like the T-Rex of desktops... the big king of the desktops, but an extinct dinosaur (but you can still find it here and there).

Of course, being a dinosaur the EN7200 is basic beige (boring). That is why I decided to have mine airbrushed... the cost of the case + airbrushing is still cheaper then the Ahanix D5, it's bigger, holds more, and will look sharp with plenty of bays.

The EN7200 can still be had for about $40 bucks... then just find someone to airbrush it!

 

[alexXx]

why are htpcs good? cant you pick up a tivo for next to nothing?

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: alexXx
why are htpcs good? cant you pick up a tivo for next to nothing?

The subscriptions is what kills you... It's tied to that particular box, so if you get it replaced, you have to do a new subscription (even if you do a lifetime one). With the computer, you have NO extra monthly costs, since it grabs the schedule from the internet (for free). I have WMCE05 running on my main system and after the initial hardware outlay it costs me $0/month to use.

I'm checking to see if WMCE05 will work with the Via embedded processor boards. If it does, then I'll be able to build up real tiny systems to act as PVR boxes. Put a combo drive or just dvd-rom in it and you have a nice unit. Install the largest ATA drive in it and you beat any tivo box out there (such as a 400GB drive)... Plus, you can add on extra storage via either USB2 or FireWire ports to expand your library.

 

[Nessism]

Compucase 7106 for $35 + shipping.

May need a blow hole and/or expand existing openings. But you can't go wrong for the price and quality.

PS: Compucase is the OEM for the Antec SLK3000/3700 family of cases which are highly regarded from a value standpoint.

Good luck.

Ed

 

[wisdomtooth]

I had a case for years with innards that looked exactly like that Compucase, right down to the snap-in drive cage over the CPU area-- AOpen HX95.

It's a sturdy case... Came with a 300W Fortron FSP-300GT PSU too, for $50 locally near where I live. Still available, and the design is even older than the Enlight 7200.

Not sure if it makes a good-looking HTPC case though, especially if one is going to put the HTPC in a rack along with the rest of the home theater A/V components.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Yeah, I was looking at the Compucase 7106 for awhile, but I prefered the Enlight 7200 in the long run because the 7200 is decidedly "roomier". I also prefer the external 3.5" drive bays to be horizontal rather then vertical (both the EN7200 & Silverstone LC03 are horizontal).

Since I use my desktop case as my main system instead of HTPC concerns, roomier is better for me personally... of course if you want a true HTPC case, something like a smaller LC03 is better. The Compucase 7106 is bigger then the LC03, but smaller then the Enlight 7200.

 

[Zepper]

You might want to consider nabbing a microATX mobo to expand the available case list. The new Enermax Venus series is very nice. If you want to keep the full ATX, look at the Antec Overture.

.bh.