Mini ITX build vs. Micro ATX build
#1
I am going to build my first HTPC. As I am pretty new to building my own PC and needed to read a lot first in this forum before making any selection.

My requirements are the following:
- FullHD 1080
- Start via remote control
- Fluent usage of Aeon MQ2 skin
- silent and good looking to increase WAFLaugh
- potential extension to add TV tuner (as soon as Xbmc supports PVR)
- Windows 7 running

I broke it down to two builds. One Mini TX and one Micro ATX. Actually I dont have any idee how they compare according to performance. So which one would you recommand me and any improvements regarding the components?

Mini ITX
Source: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?p=7...post727463

Case:
Antec ISK 310-150:
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...antec.html
Cost: 70€

Motherboard:
ASRock EM350M1
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...srock.html
Cost: 85€

RAM:
G.SKill Ripjaws 4GB Kit DDR3 PC3-10666
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...skill.html
Cost: 40€

SSD:
Kingston SSDNow S100 16GB
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...gston.html
Cost: 45€

Total: 240€



Micro ATX

Source: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=98834&page=6

Case
SilverStone Grandia SST-GD05B:
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...stone.html
Cost: 75€

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-G41MT-D3:
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...abyte.html
Cost: 50€

CPU:
Intel Celeron Dual-Core E3400, 2x 2.60GHz
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...intel.html
Cost: 40€

GPU:
Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GT210
http://www.amazon.de/Gigabyte-nVidia-GeF...732&sr=1-1
Cost: 35€

PSU:
Antec EarthWatts 380, 380W ATX 2.2
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...antec.html
Cost: 45€

RAM:
G.SKill Ripjaws 4GB Kit DDR3 PC3-10666
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...skill.html
Cost: 40€

SSD:
Kingston SSDNow S100 16GB
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...gston.html
Cost: 45€

Total:330€

EDIT:
For the Micro ATX build I am thinking about taking the SILVERSTONE ML03B instead: http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...stone.html (only 53€Wink
It is cheaper and looks like it is the follower of the GD05
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#2
If the TV tuner will be half height and PCI Express than mini ITX build is a good choice.
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#3
Thanks for the input!

The TV tuner shouldn't be the critical topic, as I can also go for an external solution.
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#4
if you got the space then go for a matx solution. it has more expanability options.

mini-itx has only really taken off in the past couple of years and theres alot more choice for htpc cases for matx solutions (and cheaper).

only go for mini itx if your limited for space and worried about your electricity bill or need a secondary device for say your kids or the master bedroom.
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#5
But the cost are also not irrelevant the mini itx solution would be 90€ cheaper.

Is the micro Atx solution worth the extra cash?
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#6
The biggest thing you are overlooking right now is performance. The mATX option you have chosen will absolutely kick the living crap out of the mITX option. Why? Because you're comparing a desktop class processor (E3400) to a netbook class processor (zacate). I have a zacate mATX board in my HTPC and I run win7 to record TV - this is where the zacate APU starts to show it's weakness. The zacate is perfect for XBMC and websurfing, but its performance/responsiveness in WMC leaves a lot to be desired. Using WMC on a full flegged desktop class CPU is much more fluid and seamless. But I tolerate this because I want a silent, low power HTPC and that's what the zacate can deliver. Now maybe the PVR in XBMC will be a lighter application than WMC (I'm guessing that WMC is probably a modern marvel of inefficent code) so maybe the zacate will be fine.

I think you need to first decide on what type of processor you want/need - desktop or netbook. The main factors to consider here are cost, power consumption, and performance.

Once you determine how much CPU you need then decide on a form factor. If you want a small device then get the ITX. If you want maximum versatility then get mATX.

This is not an either or decision. You can get desktop and netbook CPUs in either form factor.

Other random stuff --

Case: I have the ML03B case and it's pretty decent. I got it because it was not as tall as the GD-05B.

SSD: I don't think 16GB is enough for win7. I'd go with at least 30GB.

PSU: If you decide to go mATX you might consider getting a picoPSU. Its basically equivalent to what the Antec ISK 310-150 has. It will be totally silent and more efficient than just about any other option out there. I have one in my HTPC and it works great.
HTPC: Win 7 Home 64-bit | MB | CPU | GPU | RAM | Case | PSU | Tuner | HDDs: OS, Media | DVD Burner | Remote
Media server: unraid 4.7 | CPU | MB | RAM | Case | PSU | HDDs: Parity-2TB, Data-2x2TB
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#7
Does tv tuner really must be pci-e? i mean why not usb afaik there are a lot usb tv tuners.
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#8
Harry deluxe, Look, think about it like this...

Going with a mini-ITX motherboard means you accept that with pretty much the same money
you could have bought a Stronger micro-ATX motherboard/CPU/GPU combination....

But on the other hand you dont care because,
space is an issue for you so you want a Small Form Factor HTPC...

And since power consumption is a concern too,
buying a mini-ITX motherboard will help keeping the cost of electicity bills down....


So, which way you wanna go?
you have to know this before anything else!
mini-ITX or micro-ATX??
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#9
Ok first of all thank you all very much.

As size is not as important as design I go with the micro ATX solution.

So any comments/ recommendation to the components above?
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#10
I'll just echo what I said earlier because it's still relevant...

Case: I have the ML03B case and it's pretty decent. I got it because it was not as tall as the GD-05B. Either one is a good choice.

SSD: I don't think 16GB is enough for win7. I'd go with at least 30GB.

PSU: You should seriously consider getting a picoPSU. Like this one. I have one in my HTPC and it works great. It will be totally silent and more efficient than the Antec you picked (and just about any other option out there).
HTPC: Win 7 Home 64-bit | MB | CPU | GPU | RAM | Case | PSU | Tuner | HDDs: OS, Media | DVD Burner | Remote
Media server: unraid 4.7 | CPU | MB | RAM | Case | PSU | HDDs: Parity-2TB, Data-2x2TB
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#11
Thank you very much for all your support.

Now it is getting more and more concrete: I decided to go with the Micro ATX solution.

@wsume99: thanks for your recommendations. Actually I don't like the look of the ML03 as it has a plastic cover. I prefer the aluminium look of the GD05. As I don't find any reliable vendor of the picoPSU in Germany I would stick to the Antec.

So here is my current build I want to buy:
Micro ATX

Source: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=98834&page=6

Case
SilverStone Grandia SST-GD05B:
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...stone.html
Cost: 75€

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-G41MT-D3:
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...abyte.html
Cost: 50€

CPU:
Intel Celeron Dual-Core E3400, 2x 2.60GHz
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...intel.html
Cost: 40€

GPU:
Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GT210
http://www.amazon.de/Gigabyte-nVidia-GeF...732&sr=1-1
Cost: 35€

PSU:
Antec EarthWatts 380, 380W ATX 2.2
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...antec.html
Cost: 45€

RAM:
G.SKill Ripjaws 4GB Kit DDR3 PC3-10666
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...skill.html
Cost: 40€

SSD:
Kingston SSDNow V Series 2 30GB
http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Offe...gston.html
Cost: 60€

Total:345€

Any suggestions regarding this build. As I am a complete newbie building my own HTPC I am happy about any help.
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#12
How about these!?

Image
CPU: Pentium E5700 2x3.0GHz LGA-775 49,65 €
MOBO: MSI G41M-P25 LGA-775 36,49 €
GPU: ASUS EN210 Silent (LP) 512MB DDR2 64-bit PCIe2.0x16 25,99 €
PSU: Corsair Builder Series 430W 34,99 €
RAM: G.Skill RipJaws 2x2GB 240-PIN 1333MHz CL7 38,66 €
SSD: Corsair Nova 32GB SATAII Trim Read:195MB/s Write:70MB/s 63,99 €
CASE: SilverStone Grandia SST-GD05B 74,82 €
TOTAL: 324,59 € + Shipping

Your HTPC would pack more punch for pretty much the same money!!
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#13
Thank you sooo much eskro for your input!
I love the build. The only component I am still not 100% happy is the case. I would love to go with the Antec Fusion or Micro Fusion but they are too expensive in Germany. The Fusion costs around 130€ (without PSU) and the Microfusion 150€ (with PSU).
So are there any other recommendations for a Micro ATX case?
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#14
i too have difficulties in finding a nice htpc case...
Best microATX htpc cases in my opinion are these:

- SilverStone ML03
- SilverStone Grandia SST-GD04B
- SilverStone Grandia SST-GD05B
- Antec MicroFusion Remote 350
- Antec Fusion Remote
- Athenatech Evo A3701BB.500
- Sentey Slim 2421 / 2422 / 2440 (throw its PSU in garbage)
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#15
Yeah it is really hard to find a good case for a good price in Europe (Germany). I had in mind that you paid around 100$ for your Antec MicroFusion case. Here it is +60% more expensive.

That is insane!

I am still thinking about taking the ML03 but I have my problems with the plastic cover. I looks kind of cheapBlush
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