Asus Pundit vs Hiper Silver Media Center

[jimbouk]

Hello small computer lovers

I've currently got an Asus M2NPV-VM motherboard (Nvidia 6150 graphics onboard) which I'm planning to transpose from my main PC into a media centre. Currently I'm eyeing up either the Asus Pundit P3-AE5 with a straight motherboard swap, or the Hiper Silver Media Center Case and buying a new AM2 mobo.

Going the Hype route is going to cost me at least £20 more (depending on what mobo I get), but it's a far sexier looking case in theory. Anyone any thoughts on the options? My old Shuttle is getting a bit unreliable under the telly and when I'm earning after the summer I'll get a flat screen so will need something with better video out than a GF4 MX400...

[saltynay]

I personally like the scan isotope cases I think they would look awesome in a living room next to a tv and they have tons of space very pricey though.

[jimbouk]

Blimey they're expensive, the whole build is going to cost less than one of those. They look cool but I was hoping for a more subtle approach...

Any other cheap slimline cases or barebones available? I couldn't see much else on ebuyer/scan except the very pricey ones like the silverstone cases

[jimbouk]

Hmm maybe I should repost this in the main Hardstuff forum...

[CrazyMonkey]

I like the looks of the Hiper, imo i would go Hiper hands down...

If you do choose the hiper can you please post your experiences and what parts you used as im thinking of getting something similar

[DanceswithUnix]

If you can take full height, the Antec 2400 is a pretty good price for HTPC. Gives more flexibility on expansion video cards & heatsinks from being full height. Downside is that it is full height

[jimbouk]

Very tempting, good looking and not overpriced. It looks about the same size as my AV amp and the silver front is similar in style, and the full height option rather than just 1 slot would be a real advantage. Hmmmm lots of thinking to do.

Think the Asus barebones is out the window though, the motherboard is just a bit low end for what I need in my main rig.

So cool vs almost as cool and more practical. Darn it life's hard...

[saltynay]

this may be a good case for you then:

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/C...h-d050-2sn.asp

I ought mine in Singapore so I can't say where to get it in the UK but it is full size and good looking but you will probably buy some new fans as the stock aren't great it fits my 8800gts fine but makes one off the hdd's slots unusable as the fan is slightly to high but that leaves 4x3.5" slots which is probably enough for your needs

[jimbouk]

Wow that's bling! Maybe slightly overkill on the looks for me. Can't see it in any UK shops so no idea about cost.

Here's a pic of the amp I've got:

[saltynay]

well I bought it for £60 in Singapore so around £70 in the UK probably the price difference isn't that great its more components which are cheaper out there. here are some cases don't know your budget though...

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1212.html
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1288.html
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1284.html
I think the fusion suits your amp the best

[jimbouk]

Yeah budget unfortunately is less than £50 The Antec Fusion would be perfect.

Teetering towards the Antec 2400 at the moment though...

[saltynay]

sure that you haven't got any cash behind the sofa or left in your mattress....

[jimbouk]

Haha, well I could not go on holiday this summer, but I think as I didn't really go anywhere last summer that maybe not. There's one on classified for £80 which is tempting though...

[saltynay]

you could wait a week lol it seems atm like prices drop every day

[jimbouk]

Well I've bought the Antec Fusion from classified, oh well. I guess this no longer fits in the small form factor section!

Crazy Monkey: if you ever do get the Hiper case take some pics and post a build review - would be good to see how if works out. Sorry I couldn't do it first!

Cheers everyone, you've been great in helping me spend my hard-earned overdraft

[DanceswithUnix]

Congrats on the Fusion, I got one last week (ebuyer) and hope to build it over the coming back holiday weekend.

Seems odd to see a case come with a driver disk

Some of the PCs I see posted on the main forums could double as a fallout shelter, so with a uATX form factor the Fusion probably still counts as small!