![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
I want to upgrade the components in my Antec Fusion HTPC case (currently an AMD x2 4850e, 4GiB RAM, 9600GT, Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H), as it's a bit on the slow side and I think the motherboard is malfunctioning.
I was thinking I'd start with a new motherboard and processor, with the E8400 / E8500 and a good s775 motherboard being in my price range. I'll be using a dedicated graphics card, so any eventual integrated graphics card is irrelevant. This means I'll need space enough for at least a full-sized card with a one-slot cooling solution, preferably enough for two slots. However, I also need space for my PCI sound card (I use it for its external mic preamp), so two slots might be too much to ask unless I get an entirely external sound card -- which I might, mind you.
I should mention the board can't have any heat issues (like my current Gigabyte board does). The HTPC case is obviously cramped, and the ventilation where it resides isn't exactly optimal, so the temperatures get high (but not unreasonable).
Anyway, I've got my eye on the Asus P5E-VM HDMI, as it's tried and tested, seemingly with a lack of the issues present in many newer mATX motherboards. But looking at its layout, I don't see a lot of space for a graphics card, with the PCI-E slot close to the PCI slot, a heatsink and the SATA ports.
Would the Asus board work in tandem with a two-slot graphics card, and are there any problems using a single-slot solution? Convenient spacing is more of a preference than a requirement, but if you know any better alternatives, please do tell.
I was thinking I'd start with a new motherboard and processor, with the E8400 / E8500 and a good s775 motherboard being in my price range. I'll be using a dedicated graphics card, so any eventual integrated graphics card is irrelevant. This means I'll need space enough for at least a full-sized card with a one-slot cooling solution, preferably enough for two slots. However, I also need space for my PCI sound card (I use it for its external mic preamp), so two slots might be too much to ask unless I get an entirely external sound card -- which I might, mind you.
I should mention the board can't have any heat issues (like my current Gigabyte board does). The HTPC case is obviously cramped, and the ventilation where it resides isn't exactly optimal, so the temperatures get high (but not unreasonable).
Anyway, I've got my eye on the Asus P5E-VM HDMI, as it's tried and tested, seemingly with a lack of the issues present in many newer mATX motherboards. But looking at its layout, I don't see a lot of space for a graphics card, with the PCI-E slot close to the PCI slot, a heatsink and the SATA ports.
Would the Asus board work in tandem with a two-slot graphics card, and are there any problems using a single-slot solution? Convenient spacing is more of a preference than a requirement, but if you know any better alternatives, please do tell.