[PatrickVogeli]

well.. with regards to 775 I think we have different point of views. My point of view is I wouldn't invest my money in a platform that is no longer being actively developed.

DDR 2 vs 3 was because it's cheaper to buy ddr3.. but anyway, you've got a point there.

About the Zotac ITX 9300 board.. avoid that one. They are affected by a bug with the nvidia driver, and you can't use the new releases. I think both windows and linux are affected.. sraue (xbmc developer) warned about this issue in a thread here.

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=203643
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=162538

And back on topic... If it's only because optical out, I'd say the same as Livin.. get a USB adapter and problem solved.

[bluray]

well.. with regards to 775 I think we have different point of views. My point of view is I wouldn't invest my money in a platform that is no longer being actively developed.

DDR 2 vs 3 was because it's cheaper to buy ddr3.. but anyway, you've got a point there.

About the Zotac ITX 9300 board.. avoid that one. They are affected by a bug with the nvidia driver, and you can't use the new releases. I think both windows and linux are affected.. sraue (xbmc developer) warned about this issue in a thread here.

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=203643
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=162538

And back on topic... If it's only because optical out, I'd say the same as Livin.. get a USB adapter and problem solved.

Zotac GeForce ITX WiFi LGA 775 Mini ITX is not recommend for linux, but it'll be find with w7. i built one for my friend. it's flawless with xbmc/7mce so far.

[eskro]

get this motherboard instead
[MOBO+iGPU] ZOTAC G45ITX-B-E X4500HD LGA-775 WiFi-N mITX ($109 + $5)

works with Linux and windows + has built-in WIFI-N.... not G,,,
oh and the video chipset --> X4500HD is meant for 1080P!!

[hr21]

thanks for all the replies.

I think I need to revamp what I wrote in the first post slightly.

What I would like from my htpc is as follows.

1080p playback from large files 30gb+ and 3d capability.

Which leads me to believe a group 7 machine would be best? Correct?

Thanks everyone for their replies.

[hr21]

Ok-

Here is another possible build,

intel e2140 (already own)
asrock g41m motherboard (£32)
asus xonar dg (£23) [i need optical out]
his gt430 gcard (£42)
4gb ddr3 kingston value ram (£15)
novatech media centre case (£50)
30gb ssd kingston (£45)
low profile cooler (£8)

grand total £194

However, I'm concerned over the power consumption, I preferably would like it to be low (25watts) whereas I feel this may be more like 100watts?

[hr21]

final build options:

Hi all,
I'm after a new htpc - I currently own an acer revo 3600.

I was thinking of three different options,

#1
Asrock e350 zacate
4gb ddr3 kingston value ram
30gb kingston ssd
mini itx case (what would be a good option? Antec isk-150?)
possibly ati 6450/ nvidia gt430
asus xonar dg

#2
intel e2140 (already own)
asrock g41m mobo
4gb ddr3 kingston value ram
30gb kingston ssd
microatx case (what would be a good option?)
ati 6450/ nvidia gt430
asus xonar dg

#3
amd llano 3650
llano mobo probably asrock
4gb ddr3 kingston value ram
30gb kingston ssd
microatx case

my requirements are:
1080p playback
3d 1080p playback
ability to handle 40-50gb blu ray files
xbmc (windows or linux)
low power consumption

Thanks.

[poofyhairguy]

#2 with the GT430 is the only one that will hit all your needs.

Leave behind the Xonar though, unneeded.

[eskro]

#2 with the GT430 is the only one that will hit all your needs.

Leave behind the Xonar though, unneeded.

thats exactly what i suggested him via PM hahaha

However, i told him to be careful with the motherboard...

To my Knowledge.
that ASROCK G41 cant be set to AHCI SATA TYPE,,,,
So it wont allow him to use the TRIM feature on his SSD!

This Intel BOXDG43RK mobo should be good for him --> http://ow.ly/1w4GRw
G43 chipset will allow AHCI SATA TYPE...
Thus, TRIM feature on his SSD!

[hr21]

#2 with the GT430 is the only one that will hit all your needs.

Leave behind the Xonar though, unneeded.

My only reason for xonar was to get better sound thru my z5500s. Is this unneeded?

[eskro]

well if the motherboard has Optical OUT like u want,
then, Leave behind the Xonar
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