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1. What will you be doing with this PC?
Web browsing, HTPC/Playback
2. What's your budget?
No budget
3. Where do you live?
Near Microcenter
4. What exact parts do you need for that budget?
Case
Motherboard
PSU
USB WiFi stick (if not built in mobo)
5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
E8400 (65w) or Q9450 (95w)
2x2gb DDR2
Scythe BIG Shuriken Rev A
3.5" 320GB WD Caviar HD
6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard?
Ideally Mini-ITX motherboard to keep the case small - nothing fancy
7. What resolution output do you need?
1080p - single LCD TV (32")
8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space?
Would like it as small as possible, around the size of a cable box - does not need to fit into a specific space
9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have?
I can do some electrical/general handy work. Have screwdrivers/leatherman, drill, metal snips, soldering iron, but no Dremel - but could purchase if necessary
10. How important is the noise/silence of this system?
As silent as possible as it will be for watching media in a 12'x13' bedroom
11. How mobile does this system need to be?
No mobility required
12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Have a few copies of XP, Vista, maybe 7 - 32/64 bit
13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Immediately
Ultimately I am re-using some old parts from previous LGA 775 builds and would like to fit them into as small of a case as possible so it doesn't take much footprint on/next to my bedroom dresser which my TV sits on. I am thinking of getting an Intel DQ45EK motherboard because it's cheap and has decent reviews. However, I would likely have to buy a new northbridge heat sink because the stock one is tall and will probably interfere with my Shuriken HSF. I realize that many mini-ITX cases do not fit 3.5" hard drives, but would love to know if there is one that does. If there are none, I may have to get a 2.5" HD to accommodate my desire for a small size case. I prefer the cable box shape (3.5" to 4" height - like Lian Li PC-Q12) as opposed to square (like Lian Li PC-Q18). Drawbacks of the Q12 are that the front USB ports require connection to the rear/external mobo cluster, it only fits 2.5" HDs, and there is no opening for a half-height PCIe card, which I may end up using in the future (I could cut a hole myself if I had a Dremel, but I don't). Otherwise the dimensions and look of it are ideal for me. Additionally, I do not need optical disk drive support. I like the look of the Antec ISK series as well but I hear they feel cheap, and only support 2.5" HDs as well. Advice is much appreciated!
Edit: Just found a nice looking case - Chenbro PC78338-250 but may prove too thin (3") for my 2.28" HSF when installed?
Web browsing, HTPC/Playback
2. What's your budget?
No budget
3. Where do you live?
Near Microcenter
4. What exact parts do you need for that budget?
Case
Motherboard
PSU
USB WiFi stick (if not built in mobo)
5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
E8400 (65w) or Q9450 (95w)
2x2gb DDR2
Scythe BIG Shuriken Rev A
3.5" 320GB WD Caviar HD
6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard?
Ideally Mini-ITX motherboard to keep the case small - nothing fancy
7. What resolution output do you need?
1080p - single LCD TV (32")
8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space?
Would like it as small as possible, around the size of a cable box - does not need to fit into a specific space
9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have?
I can do some electrical/general handy work. Have screwdrivers/leatherman, drill, metal snips, soldering iron, but no Dremel - but could purchase if necessary
10. How important is the noise/silence of this system?
As silent as possible as it will be for watching media in a 12'x13' bedroom
11. How mobile does this system need to be?
No mobility required
12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Have a few copies of XP, Vista, maybe 7 - 32/64 bit
13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Immediately
Ultimately I am re-using some old parts from previous LGA 775 builds and would like to fit them into as small of a case as possible so it doesn't take much footprint on/next to my bedroom dresser which my TV sits on. I am thinking of getting an Intel DQ45EK motherboard because it's cheap and has decent reviews. However, I would likely have to buy a new northbridge heat sink because the stock one is tall and will probably interfere with my Shuriken HSF. I realize that many mini-ITX cases do not fit 3.5" hard drives, but would love to know if there is one that does. If there are none, I may have to get a 2.5" HD to accommodate my desire for a small size case. I prefer the cable box shape (3.5" to 4" height - like Lian Li PC-Q12) as opposed to square (like Lian Li PC-Q18). Drawbacks of the Q12 are that the front USB ports require connection to the rear/external mobo cluster, it only fits 2.5" HDs, and there is no opening for a half-height PCIe card, which I may end up using in the future (I could cut a hole myself if I had a Dremel, but I don't). Otherwise the dimensions and look of it are ideal for me. Additionally, I do not need optical disk drive support. I like the look of the Antec ISK series as well but I hear they feel cheap, and only support 2.5" HDs as well. Advice is much appreciated!
Edit: Just found a nice looking case - Chenbro PC78338-250 but may prove too thin (3") for my 2.28" HSF when installed?
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