[drzoo2]

I'm looking to replace my current server/htpc. In it's current form I have an MSI k8 neo with an aging Athlon XP4000 and an old AGP Geforce 5900. All of this stuffed into a PC case under my media center. I need to have a full CPU for Virtualization since this is also a server else I would just grab an Atom based board with Nvidia graphics.

I was given an LC11S htpc case but I don't have the PCI-express riser to go with it. They are hard to find though I did find someone on ebay selling them for $40 shipped.

Case image....

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/l....php?area=

I would really like to use this case but to use a modern motherboard there seems to be only two options.....
1) I need to buy the PCI-express riser and find a MB that will install correctly into this case. Then buy a discrete graphics card. This is harder and more expensive.
2) Find a small micro-atx motherboard with decent on-board graphics and forget the riser.

I would rather go with option 2 but all I seem to find is this Zotac with a NV9300. I don't care if it only takes a Core2, as long it supports virtualization.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813500019


Any suggestions? How is XBMC with Intel graphics?
BTW I only use Linux. Windows is not an option.

z

[mr.sparkle]

here's a completely passive atom/ion mobo that'll do the trick:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131663

it even has USB 3.0

I'd stick with NVIDIA GPUs - especially in linux

[poofyhairguy]

That case is Micro ATX so you have plenty of options. That 775 mobo seems perfect for you needs.

Pick from any of these CPUs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...ageSize=20

That will work great in Linux. Avoid Intel GPUs at all cost.

[drzoo2]

here's a completely passive atom/ion mobo that'll do the trick:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131663

it even has USB 3.0

I'd stick with NVIDIA GPUs - especially in linux

I'd like to do something like that, but I really need a server on top of an HTPC. I will be running Zimbra in a VM. I'm afraid the ATOM will be under powered. I will also be using this for encoding.

That case is Micro ATX so you have plenty of options. That 775 mobo seems perfect for you needs.

Pick from any of these CPUs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20

That will work great in Linux. Avoid Intel GPUs at all cost.

I had tested my full ATX MSI board in it first. It fit but the MB expansion was one slot off on this board. It skips slot one and has 6 AGP/PCI slots. This screwed up the riser configuration so no video card.

My only issue with the Zotac is there seems to be a lot of DOA's and infant mortality rates on it. Anyone with experience with it?

z

[poofyhairguy]

One slot off would work perfectly with the only other board like that I know of:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131348

I had one that I used for a while till I dropped it worked well. I have a Zotac mobo as well (not that one) and I really like it. I think the Zotac is solid.

[drzoo2]

One slot off would work perfectly with the only other board like that I know of:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131348

I had one that I used for a while till I dropped it worked well. I have a Zotac mobo as well (not that one) and I really like it. I think the Zotac is solid.

I saw that board. I don't know if they will ever get any more in.......getting old......

[poofyhairguy]

I saw that board. I don't know if they will ever get any more in.......getting old......

Honestly that Zotac is probably your best bet. Intel and AMD GPUs are the devil in Linux, and newer Intel and AMD CPUs are force bundled with their GPUs. The 775 will be the last Intel generation with the option to have Nvidia onboard GPU. Get while the getting is good....