Livingroom MicroATX Build.

gr00m · 11-25-2008, 05:07 PM

I currently have a PC hooked up to my entertainment center to play and stream media from my home network VIA WinXP MCE. We just setup another entertainment room and I want to build a new Media Center computer but want something small like a micro atx, not the ATX case I have now.

All the PC will be doing is streaming media from the network and possibly (if it's possible in a microATX case) used as a DVR. I do have Vista UE that I'd like to run ILO XP MCE, the computer I have now is not driver compatable.

So my question is, what would people recommend for a media box? I have built standard gaming and work PC's before, but never a micro just to stream media. I'd really like to keep the price around $300, is that possible? What could I get or need to sacrifice for that?

**wrench97** · 11-25-2008, 05:48 PM

For a Dvr function I would want a 1T drive which would eat over a third of your budget
and a good hdmi integrated board another third +, then you need a cpu, tuner card?, quality psu for quiet and low heat, a case. I think your looking at $500-600

gr00m · 11-29-2008, 08:27 PM

The DVR is not essential, would just be a bonus. HDMI wouldn't be really that necessary either. Primary use is not as a TV tuner but to stream from the home network. The backup files are not hi-res either, so standard component output would be more than adequate.

**wrench97** · 11-30-2008, 04:43 AM

Close as I can get you need to add an OS
Link........................................................................... Discp. ,,Cost Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product DVD/RW $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128333 GA-M61PME-S2 $47.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103210 X2 5200 $56.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136149 WD 500 $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003 450 VX $69.99 -$10.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130389 9400GT $54.99 -$20.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147111 case $27.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134635 2x1Gig $23.49

$360.43 -$30.00
Total $330.43

gr00m · 12-03-2008, 07:44 AM

that's actually very nice, thanks!

**wrench97** · 12-03-2008, 12:22 PM

Let us know how it goes.

11-25-2008, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
gr00m Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 101 OS: WinXP	Livingroom MicroATX Build. I currently have a PC hooked up to my entertainment center to play and stream media from my home network VIA WinXP MCE. We just setup another entertainment room and I want to build a new Media Center computer but want something small like a micro atx, not the ATX case I have now. All the PC will be doing is streaming media from the network and possibly (if it's possible in a microATX case) used as a DVR. I do have Vista UE that I'd like to run ILO XP MCE, the computer I have now is not driver compatable. So my question is, what would people recommend for a media box? I have built standard gaming and work PC's before, but never a micro just to stream media. I'd really like to keep the price around $300, is that possible? What could I get or need to sacrifice for that?

11-25-2008, 05:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,486 OS: Win7	Re: Livingroom MicroATX Build. For a Dvr function I would want a 1T drive which would eat over a third of your budget and a good hdmi integrated board another third +, then you need a cpu, tuner card?, quality psu for quiet and low heat, a case. I think your looking at $500-600 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

11-29-2008, 08:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
gr00m Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 101 OS: WinXP	Re: Livingroom MicroATX Build. The DVR is not essential, would just be a bonus. HDMI wouldn't be really that necessary either. Primary use is not as a TV tuner but to stream from the home network. The backup files are not hi-res either, so standard component output would be more than adequate.

11-30-2008, 04:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,486 OS: Win7	Re: Livingroom MicroATX Build. Close as I can get you need to add an OS Link........................................................................... Discp. ,,Cost Rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product DVD/RW $19.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128333 GA-M61PME-S2 $47.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103210 X2 5200 $56.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136149 WD 500 $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003 450 VX $69.99 -$10.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130389 9400GT $54.99 -$20.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147111 case $27.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134635 2x1Gig $23.49 $360.43 -$30.00 Total $330.43 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

12-03-2008, 07:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
gr00m Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 101 OS: WinXP	Re: Livingroom MicroATX Build. that's actually very nice, thanks!

12-03-2008, 12:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,486 OS: Win7	Re: Livingroom MicroATX Build. Let us know how it goes. __________________ Power Supply and Selection