MicroATX Media PC/File Server

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

I'm laying down the final plans for a pseudo-barebones system for file storage and my TV tuner. The only problem is, I can't find an appropriate case/cooling/power solution! Hopefully someone here will have an idea of what I should look at, based on these criteria...

-At least two internal 3.5" bays, preferably with some kind of ventilation
-One bay for an optical drive (duh)
-Acceptable temperatures (not egg-frying) with decently powered hardware (say, a 2500+ with Radeon 9600 and one PCI card)
-Enough juice on the power supply for aforementioned "decent hardware"

The best I've come up with so far is the Antec Aria MicroATX case (3 internal bays, 300W, fairly quiet, and $100 on NewEgg), but I've read about a few issues with it; namely, adding a 3rd HD takes up the space of the AGP slot, and the system in general runs on the warm side. If it comes down to it, I'll take a dremel to it and add an 80 mm fan.

So, anyway, my questions are:

Does anyone have any ideas for a better solution?
Does anyone have any experience with the pros/cons of this particular case?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

One drive at the bottom, two at the top.

You'd need to club it with the Modstick if you intend on packing the top section with hot drives though. Judging by your Dremel ownership, I think you're up to the task.

- M4H

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
One drive at the bottom, two at the top.

You'd need to club it with the Modstick if you intend on packing the top section with hot drives though. Judging by your Dremel ownership, I think you're up to the task.

- M4H

Don't actually own a dremel myself, but I can think of at least 3 friends off the top of my head who do, so I don't foresee a problem. Been waiting for an excuse to borrow one anyway.

Can't seem to find any reviews for that case on Google, although it definitely looks good, and you can't beat that price. Any experience working with it? How does the power supply stack up?

 

[Daleon]

I just finished my Aria SFF.

Chaintech NF2 Ultra 400 mAtx
AMD XP3200 /w Slim Volcano 10+
ATI 9800 Pro
2x512 Corsair XMS
Intel Wireless PCI
16x DVD-Rom
160 Gig WD 8meg

Heat is a major issue with this case. You have to use a fairly small hsf as the psupply can get in the way. With the side panels and top on my temps idle around 54c, with them off it immediately shoots down to 44c. Its very tight inside with little air flow. I haven't had any real problems from it yet though. I'd like to keep it fairly quiet, so I'm not sure yet on how I plan to cool it. Looking at possibly a custom water solution built into an extension on the top.

 

[Psychosylph]

I'd go with an SN45G with a mobile 2500+. It fits the requirements and is smaller, plus you get the onboard nForce2 sound for digital output to your receiver - saves you a few dollars on a sound card.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Can't seem to find any reviews for that case on Google, although it definitely looks good, and you can't beat that price. Any experience working with it? How does the power supply stack up?

Google link

Silverstone makes awesome PSUs - this one's rated for 3.3+5v of 105W, and 12V has 16A available. Fellow forum member Karaktu is the sole review at GameVE - you can see there what he ran in it.

I've got three of them coming in shortly, so I'll let you know if you're willing to wait.

- M4H

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

I've got three of them coming in shortly, so I'll let you know if you're willing to wait.

- M4H

Looking forward to it.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

I've got three of them coming in shortly, so I'll let you know if you're willing to wait.

- M4H

Looking forward to it.

As am I - receiving the cases, that is. I'm going to tune those little buggers like a Japanese four.

If I haven't said anything back in a week's time, shoot me a PM bitchslap/reminder

- M4H

 

[GnomeCop]

I looked into making the same type of pc because I have an extra pentium M 1.7ghz cpu lying around. unfortunately the matx boards for this are hard to find, teh few that are available were too expensive so I gave up. I did look at the silverstone case that M4H recommended, its pretty cool, probably what I would have used if I got the mobo...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: GnomeCop
I looked into making the same type of pc because I have an extra pentium M 1.7ghz cpu lying around. unfortunately the matx boards for this are hard to find, teh few that are available were too expensive so I gave up. I did look at the silverstone case that M4H recommended, its pretty cool, probably what I would have used if I got the mobo...

Yeah, they're around $300 for the Centrino desktop boards last I checked. Pity, because those would be awesome passive-cooled screamers.

- M4H