need suggestions on HTPC

[syphon00]

I've already posted this on tom's hardware
but would like some input from the folks here too

the main purpose of this HTPC is to be hooked to my future big ass TV in the living room.

as to want I wanna put in it, I'm think single core hyper thread is good enough, but can't decide to go with Intel or AMD, my experience with AMD in the past has been pretty bad, they always seem to crap out
and even at none overclocked speeds, heating always seemed to be an issue, so I naturally assume that in a SSF case where airflow is much more constricted it would be best to go with an Intel? but again this is where I need some suggestions.

as far as parts go, I would like to have at least 2 legacy IDE slots, so that I can use my old ATA drives, but no big deal I can always buy SATA
I do need PCI Express 16x, will be waiting for ATI to come out with their HMDI card and depending on what the onboard sound card offers I may need 1 or 2 legacy PCI slots.

I checked out the hornet cases suggested by the guys over at tom's, they're real nice for LAN parties and as desktop replacement, but way too big to fit in a multimedia rack. I still that a shuttle case is the best bet...open to suggestions though

Thanks

 

[imported_OrSin]

My suggest as of late is not a pre-build system like shuttle.
My suggestion is to go with M-ATX moather board. You get more PCI and dimm slots and most have better on board stuff. Then get a case you like for your rack. You can get a case from pc alchemy or just find one there and get it I cheaped somewhere else.
Since your putting it in an AV rack one of them case will look better then any pre-build SFF.

For motherbaords I like the 6150 if you going to connect to a HDTV. I like the MSI 6150 but most are decnet i here. I like the MSI becuase it comes with component, DVI and HD audio, with having to by the extra connectors. if all you doing is HDTV then got for almost any AMD chip. I doubt X2 will be needed. Sicne you got on board video you donlt need the heat or noise of an add on card.

Next do a serach in this forum on SFF and you will get about 20 or more post that answer this question too.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: syphon00
my experience with AMD in the past has been pretty bad, they always seem to crap out
and even at none overclocked speeds, heating always seemed to be an issue, so I naturally assume that in a SSF case where airflow is much more constricted it would be best to go with an Intel? but again this is where I need some suggestions.

LOL

When was the last time you've bought amd parts? The current generation Intel chips run hotter, and are lower performing than the Athlon 64's, and there is no disparity in stability or part life between the two companies.

I second OrSin's suggestion of using a MicroATX mobo, as this allows you more customization of your rigs features, and more case choice (I decided on THIS). And yes, if you don't plan on gaming, ondboard video should do you just fine.

You didn't really describe well enough what you plan on doing with the htpc, but even if you want to use it to record/timeshift HDTV, you shouldn't need too much processor power (My htpc runs happily on a Athlon XP-M @ 2.4ghz, and I often multitask while recording ). I recommend a Amd Sempron64, as they run quite cool, are cheap, perform close to a similarly clocked A64 ,and overclock like crazy (so I hear).