Going cheap for my HTPC

[slobber]

Are there any good SFF/HTPC cases out there for a full ATX mobo? I'm going to put together a PVR using my old ASUS A7V133 AMD 1.3Ghz system. I just need a decent cheap case to put it in. Having trouble finding one though. I need it to fit a PVR-150 and a gfx.

HELP?

tks

 

[weeber]

Unfortunately cheap and HTPC case don't seem to go together. What is your price range exactly? For what it's worth, PCalchemy has a whole bunch of HTPC cases, but I didn't see any under $100.

I was in the same situation as you, I built a HTPC out of a 900MHz Athlon and KT133a board. It works great, but I ended up getting cheap mini-tower ATX case for my stuff. I looked for a cheap case that would go into my AV rack, but I couldn't find anything I was willing to pay for. I don't think it looks half bad the way it is right now, but I need to do some work to quiet it down some.

 

[slobber]

Well, I don't really have a price range. Its more of a challenge to do it as cheaply as possible. Anything under 260 gbp ($500) dollars is good because that is what Sky want for Sky+. Currently I'm looking at:

Asus A7v133 mobo (already have)
AMD 1.3Ghz processor (already have)
256 Mb PC133 SDRAM (already have)
nVidia TNT AGP VGA card (already have)
TView Silver VGA to TV out scan converter-up to800x600 72Hz- already have
Hauppauge PVR-150 ($70 at compusa.com with rebate)
160 Gb ATA Hard drive (I'll pick one up for $80 or so)
Case ??

Software: I'd like to use both GBPVR and possibly MythTv (I'm experienced with Linux). If so, I might have to spend a bit more and get the PVR-250 or PVR-350 which is compatible with both. Plus, that would save some CPU resources (350) which does hardware decoding. As of yesterday, GBPVR supporst the PVR-150 IR blaster.

any suggestions? Especially with case...

thanks

 

[wisdomtooth]

If you want an SFF case that will take a full ATX mobo, you might want to check out the Silverstone LC02. It will take a full ATX mobo, but there are several caveats:

- To use both one AGP and one PCI slot, your mobo must have the AGP slot in the A-position and a PCI slot in the B position.

- You must use a laptop-form-factor slimline optical drive.

- You need to use a good, short CPU cooler.

Ain't cheap, but after making the investment myself, I have an HTPC in a very nicely-styled aluminum case that is only about 12 inches deep, 5 inches high, and 15 inches wide. With a full ATX mobo inside.

HTH.

 

[slobber]

Wisdomtooth,

Ahh, I like that case and the LC04 which takes a full 5.25 optical drive. I also like the flexibility of 2 PCI or 1 ACP and 1PCI. I am considering the SIGMA XCard for video out. Question:

Looking at the newegg site, newegglink

I see one AGP riser (with extension) and one PCI riser. What is that small card on the bottom right? How do you do 2 PCI cards if the only PCI riser included has only on slot?
The pictures at Silverstone show them using two.

 

[piasabird]

could just get an old IBM DESKTOP case and mod it. Otherwise you are looking at a $100 cost for the case.

Cooler Master makes a black plane jane desktop case:

http://www.directron.com/atc620.html

I think this is on sale for $74.00 in the USA. You may find it in the UK since it is a coolermaster.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Hi Slobber,

That little card is the IDE adapter for notebook form-factor slimline optical drives. One less thing for you to buy.

I was hesitant about getting the LC02 when I learned that it only uses notebook slimline optical drives (wondering how I am going to hook it up to a mobo with standard IDE connectors)... Until I learned that adapter card was included.

As far as the two-PCI riser goes, Silverstone says it's "optional." I don't know what that means.. Perhaps they might send you one if you ask..? I did find those 2-PCI risers from rackmount server vendors for $15-20 apiece though.

HTH!

 

[slobber]

Wisdomtooth,

Thanks for the tips. Dont think I really even need an optical drive in there. I'll just transfer everything I need to burn back to my main PC. Might you suggest a good "short" CPU cooler? I've had my hsf stuck to the AMD 1.33G for nearly 4 years. Hope I can pry it off!

Also, I researched it a bit more and it seems my Asus A7V133 should fit in the LC02. Rather, I think I have the AGP slot in the right spot.

Piasabird,

Thanks, but that is a microATX case and I need full.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Heya Slobber,

Well, if that HSF you have on your CPU worked fine for the past 4 years, might as well keep using it.

But if it turns out that you need something better, as long as it is not over 3.5 inches tall (with the fan mounted of course), it should fit inside the LC02.

HTH!

 

[slobber]

Wisdomtooth,

Could you confirm for me that the ASUS A7V133 board in the LC02 will allow me to use either the 1 AGP and 1PCI riser, or 2 PCI risers. I've been staring at the pictures from:

sundialmicro

I think my board looks more like the first layout, which shows the Northbridge with sides parallel to the motherboard. I also have three DIMMS like that first picture. However, the A7V133 only has 5 PCI slots, not 6. I'm 99% sure I'm good to go. Picture of my mobo:

Anandtech-A7V133

Edit-

The AnandTech article also indicates the A7V133 might have a larger foot print than most? It claims "around 12 by 9.5 inches" which is claimed to be "hefty." Think it will fit?


thanks,

 

[wisdomtooth]

Hi Slobber,

Yes, the A7V133 will indeed fit in the case.

However, as far as the slots go.... The A7V133 actually has the AGP slot in the "B" position.. With a printed circuit board riser one can use only the AGP slot I think. :frown:

The way one can tell which position the AGP slot is in would be to look at the screw mounting hole in the motherboard. If the AGP slot lines up with the middle mounting hole, it's in the "A" position.

But don't despair!

There are actually alternatives for mobos with B-position AGP slots-- Riser adapters using flexible ribbon cables, which will allow you to use the PCI and AGP slots no matter what positions they are in: Rackmount risers

Like I said before, one does have to pay a higher price to get an SFF case that will take a full ATX board.. I was willing to pay the price in order to get my Abit IC-7 mobo to work, and it does work nicely. It's up to you to see if the added cost is worth it to you.

HTH.

 

[slobber]

Wisdom,

Well, I went ahead and purchased the LC04 (not 02) last night. The extra bit of height did not bother me and I have an older DVD ROM I might throw into it. I was absolutely convinced I could use either 2 PCI or 1 & 1 (I purchased the optional 2 PCI riser). Now, I'm not so sure after your post......eek.

Ahh well, something will work!

 

[wisdomtooth]

Hi Slobber,

Yep, the LC04 is a nice case too. The good news is that you can also use those ribbon-cable risers with it.

Let me know how it goes, and good luck!

 

[slobber]

Wisdomtooth,

My order got cancelled today, because of some inacurate shipping costs. Anyway, gives me a chance to reconsider based on the AGP slot position.

So how do you use these ribbon PCI cables? I see one end slips into the normal PCI slot. Does the other end with the hole just hang off the expansion card? The only thing holding the expansion card in is the single screw attaching to the case rear (like any normal case?)

thanks,

 

[neoreturns]

Personally I spent $125 for a Silverstone LC10. Its slick, and elegant and blends in real nice.

 

[wisdomtooth]

to Neoreturns:

Yep, that's a nice case too. I thought nice-looking desktop cases are an extinct species... Then along came Silverstone and their diverse range of offerings.

to Slobber:

The card will be held in place with the screw yes, but also the bottom of the backplate sticks into a retention slot too, so that screw isn't taking all the load. Those ribbon risers are working OK with my LC02 right now, but I would also like to secure the cards a bit more solidly. I'm sure there are ways to do this though since that's what's done on rackmount servers-- I'll do a bit more research and get back to you on that.