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have an old (ATX) computer. advise to making it a HTPC

B

BaNzaiDags

Senior member
I was looking at some cases for changing over my old computer and using it for a HTPC.
Cases that are nice and small say they are for MicroATX. does that mean my standard mother board will not fit? also, if not.. is there another case that is small where i can still use my standard mother board?

Thanks for the info
 
Standard ATX mobo's will not fit into cases that are for mATX only (or that and flexATX). While you can fit mATX mobo's into ATX cases, the standard ATX mobo is simply too large to fit into a mATX size case.

What kind of hardware, software and/or OS are you planning on using for the HTPC? If you want WMCE05, or 04, you'll need to get some hardware that's certified to work with it. Specifically the video and tuner card. If you just want to use a 'normal' version of windows and run additional software on top of it, your hardware options are more open. While you might already have a video card that will work with WMCE, you might not and need to check.

With my first try at creating a set-top box, I went with just windows (XP Pro) and the software that came with the tuner card. This decent except for a major flaw and a few quirks. The biggest flaw I ran into was that I couldn't schedule shows to record and have the record actually kick off/start as it was supposed to. I eventually gave up on that and just picked up a video card that was certified to work, along with a tuner card and WMCE05 (along with the remote control) and set that up. Since then, I've recorded over 200GB worth of tv, burned a bunch to dvd and watch a bunch off the computer. I just picked up the last piece of cabling needed to connect my computer to the tv and sound system (needed to get some Y adapters/splitters for the optical audio and s-video lines) and intend to connect them up during the xmas weekend. That way, I won't need to burn dvd's to watch recorded tv on my large tv (well, used to be considered large, 27" which is larger than my lcd). That's also part of the reason I'm looking to make the computer as silent as possible while maintaining good temps...
 
Originally posted by: BaNzaiDags
I was looking at some cases for changing over my old computer and using it for a HTPC.
Cases that are nice and small say they are for MicroATX. does that mean my standard mother board will not fit? also, if not.. is there another case that is small where i can still use my standard mother board?

Thanks for the info
Click to expand...

Here's a slim case I found on the Egg for HTPC applications that can take a full ATX mobo:

Silverstone SST-LC02

That's what I'll be using for my HTPC when I get around to building it.. It looks like it will be at home with the rest of my component rack!

There is a pretty high price to be paid for the slimness though:

- The case is not cheap.

- You need a slimline DVD drive. The normal "half-height 5.25" drives will not do.

- You can only use one PCI slot and the AGP slot via risers.

- Cooling can be a problem if you are using a hot CPU like an Intel Prescott.
 
Thanks for the info..

Im now debating on getting a new micro mobo and i guess i can use the same processor?. if i get a mATX board will standard PCI cards work? I have a Wireless network card that i planned on using.

this is what i have already
-windown XP pro
-wireless PCI network card
-memeory, processor(athlon 1700 XP) & mobo (but leaning to change to mATX)
-wireless keyboard/mouse combo
-ATI All-in-wonder 9600xt w/remote
-standard hard drive
-standard 5.25 cd drive

so i need a case, im thinking that it would be better to get a new mATX board instead of getting the case recommended above and then i would have to get a slimline DVD drive.

only thing im worried about is being able to use the standard PCI wireless network card.?

 
Originally posted by: BaNzaiDags
Thanks for the info..

Im now debating on getting a new micro mobo and i guess i can use the same processor?. if i get a mATX board will standard PCI cards work? I have a Wireless network card that i planned on using.
Click to expand...

PCI is PCI is PCI... New mobo's all use the same standards, so it won't matter if it's ATX, mATX or extended ATX...

this is what i have already
-windown XP pro
-wireless PCI network card
-memeory, processor(athlon 1700 XP) & mobo (but leaning to change to mATX)
-wireless keyboard/mouse combo
-ATI All-in-wonder 9600xt w/remote
-standard hard drive
-standard 5.25 cd drive

so i need a case, im thinking that it would be better to get a new mATX board instead of getting the case recommended above and then i would have to get a slimline DVD drive.

only thing im worried about is being able to use the standard PCI wireless network card.?
Click to expand...

I've had difficulty finding the slim optical drives. Places that list them seem to rarely have them in stock, AND they cost more than faster, standard sized, drives. I highly recommend getting a case that can accept the standard full size cards (PCI and AGP) so that you can use the standard cards. I believe any case that's under 5-6" tall won't take the full size cards.

Do a bit of research on the case before you purchase it... Better to wait a day or two more before making the purchase than to have to RMA/return it and get something else.
 
BIG CAVEAT:

In most "MicroATX" cases, there is only enough headroom for half-height PCI and AGP cards.

NOT all PCI cards are equal when it comes to microATX cases!

That's the reason why I'm going with the Silverstone LC02-- At least I can plug in one full height PCI and one full-height AGP card.

And slimline drives aren't hard to find... The Egg carries those. NU Technologies has a slot-loading 8x slimline DVD drive. I'm getting that one fer sure. 😀
 
It's not the mobo that you have to worry about with the expansion cards, it's the case (as I mentioned). IF you do enough checking, you'll see what size cards the case can handle. If the case is under 5-6" tall, and doesn't mention what it takes, assume that it won't be able to handle full height cards.

I challenge you to find QUALITY slim optical drives for close to the same price as regular ones. You're going to spend ~2x the cost of a regular height drive for the slim ones...

Also note, that BaNzaiDags already HAS an optical drive that he wants to use.

A rather important question... How much space do you have for the system? Do you have less than 6" clearance for the system to sit, or is there a place you can put it that is less critical? If you have enough area, consider the Aria case. It's small, takes full height PCI/AGP cards AND you can use the optical drive you already have. It can also handle up to 3 hard drives. It's also very quiet. I built a system using the included cooling/fans and you can't hear it running from >6' away. Most of the time, you don't watch tv from under 8' away anyway. Especially if you have anything over a 19" tv...
 
Originally posted by: akira34
It's not the mobo that you have to worry about with the expansion cards, it's the case (as I mentioned). IF you do enough checking, you'll see what size cards the case can handle. If the case is under 5-6" tall, and doesn't mention what it takes, assume that it won't be able to handle full height cards.

I challenge you to find QUALITY slim optical drives for close to the same price as regular ones. You're going to spend ~2x the cost of a regular height drive for the slim ones...

Also note, that BaNzaiDags already HAS an optical drive that he wants to use.

A rather important question... How much space do you have for the system? Do you have less than 6" clearance for the system to sit, or is there a place you can put it that is less critical? If you have enough area, consider the Aria case. It's small, takes full height PCI/AGP cards AND you can use the optical drive you already have. It can also handle up to 3 hard drives. It's also very quiet. I built a system using the included cooling/fans and you can't hear it running from >6' away. Most of the time, you don't watch tv from under 8' away anyway. Especially if you have anything over a 19" tv...
Click to expand...


are you talking about this
Aria..?

then i would still have to get a new MOBO..right?
 
That's the case... Takes standard mATX mobo's... It's a bit tight inside, and you'll probably want to yank the PSU to install the mobo (makes it easier I found)... Consider this, you can get a mATX mobo for your old processor for >$70... Hell, you can get a new mobo for the Athlon64 for not much more than that (mATX sized). With the Athlon64's going down in price as they are, it's something to at least think about.
 
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