Intel i3 mini-ITX HTPC

[pcunite]

Building an Intel i3 mini-ITX HTPC and the case must fit in the following space:

5.5" high
18" wide
14" deep

• 
  Parts:
  $50 APEX MI-008 Black
  $130 ZOTAC H55ITX-A-E
  $115 Intel Core i3-530
  $60 Crucial 2GB RAM
  $20 DVD ROM
  $10 120mm fan
  $170 Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD10TPVT 1TB
  $15 DVI to Component Cable
  $0 XBMC software

The APEX MI-008 seems to work I am just not sure if the motherboard/processor will fit. Anyone using this combo?

 

[Zap]

it will fit with a few caveats.

Don't know what you are using the 120mm fan for, but there's no place to mount it in the MI-008.

You may not be able to use anything bigger than the stock heatsink because the power supply is right next to the motherboard.

The case was designed to hold a normal 3½" hard drive. If you use a 2½" drive you will have to use an adapter. You may as well save money and buy a 5400RPM 3½" drive.

 

[pcunite]

Zap,
Thank you for your help. The 120m was when I was looking at another case, same with the 2.5 inch drive, thanks for catching that. Have you had experience with DVI to Component cables? I need to get this working for the family, then we can move to a nicer display in the future.

 

[PCTC2]

DVI to component cables are really just VGA to component cables. They use the analog portion of the DVI output that DVI to VGA adapters use. I had hit and miss with VGA to component cables, but theoretically it should be fine (VGA color signals are electrically compatible with Component cables.

 

[pcunite]

This is the new parts list:

• 
  Parts:
  Case: Foxconn RS233
  MB: Intel DH57JG or Zotac H55ITX-A-E, I still can't decide.
  CPU: Intel Core i3-530
  DISK: WD Blue WD10EALS 1TB
  RAM: Crucial 2GB
  DVD-ROM: Any brand

Any opinions on Intel vs Zotac?

 

[pcunite]

One more question, I said I needed DVI to component, I was wrong, I need DVI (the motherboard onboard connector) to RCA yellow (the video) plug. Any recomendations for a DVI-to-RCA?

EDIT:
Sorry for being new at this, it is cheaper to just buy a 24" LCD monitor with DVI or HDMI inputs! Never mind...

 

[faxon]

if you dont mind paying a bit extra, it might be worth looking into the lian li PC-Q07 case. it takes an ATX PSU and has a pretty good internal layout to work inside of it, will give you a lot more flexibility options, and you wont have to spend as much on the HDD. you could also look at the PC-Q08 if you want space for a dual slot graphics card later

 

[pcunite]

if you dont mind paying a bit extra, it might be worth looking into the lian li PC-Q07 case. it takes an ATX PSU and has a pretty good internal layout to work inside of it, will give you a lot more flexibility options, and you wont have to spend as much on the HDD. you could also look at the PC-Q08 if you want space for a dual slot graphics card later

Thanks, but it won't fit in my entertainment center slot, I can only have 5.5" inches on the height. The Foxconn RS233 works nice for that.

 

[pcunite]

Wow, the Lenovo Q700 looks very tempting!