If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)

Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

HTPC Case recommendation

livEwirE · 2010-07-14 19:07:38

Hi guys, I'm attempting to build my first htpc but I'm on a budget. How do you guys rate this slimline case please? Is this an 'ANTEC' Sonata case? I'd be putting in 2x 3.5" hard disks. Would the 220w power supply be enough. I will probably go for a motherboard with integrated video capable of playing 1080p hd so it…

14-07-2010 7:07pm

#1

livEwirE

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,449 ✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2001

Posts: 1103

Hi guys,

I'm attempting to build my first htpc but I'm on a budget. How do you guys rate this slimline case please? Is this an 'ANTEC' Sonata case? I'd be putting in 2x 3.5" hard disks. Would the 220w power supply be enough. I will probably go for a motherboard with integrated video capable of playing 1080p hd so it wouldn't have to power a separate graphics card.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Sonata-Media-Centre-PC-Case-Slim-HTPC-220w-Power-Supply-/220616219160?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_DesktopComponents_RL&hash=item335dc05a18

I would appreciate any suggestions for other similar slimline cases too thanks.

~livEwirE~

0

Comments

#2 20-07-2010 8:17pm

BigEejit

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,739 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2002

Posts: 3494

I doubt thats an Antec Sonata, they are a desktop type case usually arent they?
This is a cheap and cheerful case and to be honest does not look too bad. Look for reviews before buying and expect to have to change or modify that power supply as the cheap ones included with cheap cases often sound like hoovers. Not ideal for a HTPC.

0
#3 20-07-2010 8:23pm

BigEejit

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,739 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2002

Posts: 3494

Actually thinking about it, you would be better off spending enough to get a case you really like .... because you are going to be looking at this fecker every day and you dont like it .... then after a while you get like this with it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78b67l_yxUc

0
#4 20-07-2010 8:33pm

Bob_Harris

Closed Accounts Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭

Join Date: August 2009

Posts: 1560

What will your HTPC do? Will it have tuner cards to watch TV?

If you are on a budget then slimline is not the way to go. All expansion cards have to be low profile, less space = more heat built up with only 80cm fans to cool the case which would be louder than 120cm fans which will do a better job.

See this post for a nice 14cm high case (the max height of a PCI card)

0
#5 23-07-2010 1:26pm

livEwirE

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,449 ✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2001

Posts: 1103

Cheers for that Bob Harris. The htpc will not have any tv tuner card or any pci cards. I will be using onboard graphics to playback hd video, that's pretty much it. No gaming or anything like that.

0
#6 27-07-2010 7:09am

slave1

Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,708 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2003

Posts: 19235

I intend on expanding my HTPC with more storage and act as a mini-hub so went for this guy

0
Advertisement
#7 27-07-2010 8:49am

M00lers

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2006

Posts: 1450

Nice case slave, where did ya buy and how much?

0
#8 27-07-2010 12:46pm

slave1

Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,708 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2003

Posts: 19235

Sorry, thought I posted a link, harwareversand, €95

0
#9 28-07-2010 8:21am

livEwirE

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,449 ✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2001

Posts: 1103

WOW, now that's a monster case:eek:

0
#10 28-07-2010 11:43am

slave1

Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,708 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2003

Posts: 19235

Six 1.5TB drives going into it so need the space, was looking at either a NAS or build a server but given the costs it's cheaper for me to get a new HTPC case and use it as a media server...see here for more

0
#11 28-07-2010 1:09pm

M00lers

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2006

Posts: 1450

Hi slave,
You build is coming along nicely, keep up the good work. I wish I was half as handy at DIY as you.
I see you got your PJ from the states, did you bring it back yourself or order it online? Also how much for the CAT6 cable?

Will be keeping a close eye on the thread over at AVF.

All the best,
Moo.

0
Advertisement
#12 29-07-2010 8:18am

slave1

Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,708 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2003

Posts: 19235

Most companies will not ship that product from the states as they're not allowed by Panny to export, you can pick it up on ebay though and risk C&E charges etc, I got a friend to bring it back, it was put on the plane in its box and the customs guys in the airport didn't blink and eye [phew].
I got the Cat-6e from a guy in Dublin on ebay, 305m for €55 delivered.

0