SFF as a HTPC

[Alistair]

Having just put together a SN45Gv3 for my father's birthday its made me realise how much I still like SFF PCs.

I was thinking of moving to SFF for my HTPC which is currently in a Silver Thermaltake Tenor.

Current Components I would llike to transfer:
3000+ Venice CPU
2x512MB Patriot RAM
HDA Digital X-Mystique 7.1 Gold PCI Dolby Soundcard
Gigabyte Silent Heatpipe 6600GT PCI Express VGA
Technotrend 2100 Premium DVB-C Card
NEC 3540 DVDR/RW
200GB Samsung Spinpoint SATA2

Idealy I would like to keep the above components but move them into a smaller case, oh & preferably silver too

I would welcome any suggestions or comments

[!nfil]

I would take a look at the Shuttle ST20G5 as it fits all your requirements nicely, except for the fact that it has 1 PCI slot. You would probably have to sacrifice the Sound Card and use the 7.1 onboard sound that comes with it.

Another thing to note is that you may have a tight squeeze when fitting the DVB-C Card next to the Gigabyte 6600GT Silent Pipe, as the cooler apparently overlaps onto the PCI Slot.

[Alistair]

Hmm, might have to consider going back to AGP that would openup a few more options? Would the onboard sound on the shuttle you mentioned do DTS like soundstorm does on the SN45Gv3?

[!nfil]

Hmm, none of the latest Shuttle's (afaik) support DTS. Another option would be to look for a Micro ATX mobo like one of the following:

MSI RX480M2
MSI RS480M2 (Has onboard graphics)
Foxconn NF4K8MC-RS (Hard to get a hold of)
Asus A8NE-FM (Which is apparently quite crap)

These have more expansion slots for your add in cards. You would also need a Micro ATX case like the Antec Aria, Aspire X-Qpack or the SilverStone 'SUGO' SG01B which looks soo ***ual.

[Alistair]

Have just bought a MSI RS480M2-IL Motherboard ,Silverstone SG01SCase & Silverstone Nitrogon NTO3 Heatsink. Hope my NEC 3540 & Tagan PSU Fit

Thanks for your help -now to sell my thermaltake tenor & asus a8n sli premium

[!nfil]

That was quick!

No problem dude. Good luck and have fun with it!

[Kef9]

I think you would have a problem putting a heatpiped gpu into a sff. I can imagine overheating to be a problem. Let us know how it goes.