What low power cpu/mobo's are there?

[foges]

Ok, im on a low budget as this will be my 3rd computer. Basically i want to build a server/media center (we have a projector with a VGA input). It is going to have something like 1GB ram (would 512 be enough), 300gb HD, GeForce 6200 video (or some crappy card i get on ebay, its not for gaming so it shouldnt matter), dvd drive, etc...

The only thing im not sure about is the mobo/cpu/psu setup. At first i was thinking mini-ITX, but they seem to cost 250 CHF plus plus if i want with a processor one capable of decoding DivX etc... The main benefits for me with mini itx were: No fans needed, no atx psu needed & low power usage. The size doesnt matter too much as ill be tucking it away under a sofa or something.

So my question is therefore: what options am i left with as to low power usage cpu's/mobo and are ther any that dont need an atx power supply?

Thanx

 

[SpeedEng66]

find a cracked screen laptop?
pentium m they are very low heat/power use


so it should be fine under the sofa

I had a TP p3 600 laptop running on my tv and it was fine for a movie box
I used a usb drive and attached a 120gb drive and it was a good basic player

 

[foges]

Will they be capable of running 24/7? good idea btw

EDIT: i found a laptop with a missing screen. the guy claims that he tried a bios update and afterwards only the fans spin, the external display wont display anything. Is there any way of reseting the bios on laptops? (its an acer)

 

[SpeedEng66]

my current htpc/file server is pretty much a laptop based pc thats running a pentium m 1700
most of the time it's running at 600-1ghz (because of speed step)
only fans on it currently is the cpu fan, and the psu fan (I need it to be a quiet system)

it's been on 24/7 for a month so far and it's still running the same temps (also it's like 6 degrees today lol)

but what im waiting to see is how will it perform in the summer.

btw my specs are in my sig

as for the acer im not too sure about the bios but just remember take your time getting parts there are tons out there good for us buyers bad for them sellers heh

 

[foges]

Are there many mobos that will run pentium m processors. i have so far only found those who need an asus CT-479 adapter.

What other low power usage cpus are there. how does intel compare to amd for example?

 

[myocardia]

This is what you'll want to use: link. Just get rid of that VCR that you won't be using anymore, and put one of those in it's place.

 

[SpeedEng66]

the C2d doesnt eat alot of voltage

but imo the cpu itself is still pricey!

 

[foges]

myocardia: I was actually thinking micro-atx, but i dont know what processor i should get.

C2D is too expensive, i was rather thinking about getting a amd 3000+ or something, how bad are those on power consumption

 

[jpeyton]

AMD X2 3600/3800+ AM2 eat very, very little power. Enabling Cool'N'Quiet also reduces the idle power consumption significantly.

Either CPU can be found for around $100; a good mATX AM2 motherboard with built-in everything (video/audio/LAN) should run around $70.