[Mini-ITX] Pentium 2x3.0Ghz + m9300 ($232)

eskro Wrote:well, its good, but the new core i3-2100 is only --> $117 http://ow.ly/1tS7Wq
maybe you should have went with it...

and this mini-ITX motherboard to hold it --> $84 http://ow.ly/1tS81z

then depending on which OS u want,
you buy either a Radeon HD5450 or GT210 video card...

Thank you for your input!

Originally I want to build the exact same mini-itx pentium set up you have but NCIX don't carry that motherboard so I went with the H55. I search for the Asus motherboard and its in back-order. I just want to pick everything up in one place and i'm pretty much in a hurry/excited to start the build.

If I stick with the H55 motherboard is it ok or say futureproof for a few years? and is it good idea to get a video card GT210 with it since i read somewhere you said the intel graphic aint all good ( i could be wrong). I will be running windows 7 os.

Thanks eskro!

well newegg has all those parts though....

[case] http://ow.ly/1tS8dS
[fan] http://ow.ly/1tS8KE
[mobo] http://ow.ly/1tS8dY
[cpu] http://ow.ly/1tS8dN
[ram] http://ow.ly/1tS8ei x 2
[ssd] http://ow.ly/1rZlTi

Grand Total: $386 shipped to my Canadian Door - $10 Mail-in Rebate = $376

now the onboard i3 CPU issues are discussed
here --> http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=819...stcount=11

anyhow, how much you paid with shipping!?

eskro Wrote:well newegg has all those parts though....

[case] http://ow.ly/1tS8dS
[fan] http://ow.ly/1tS8KE
[mobo] http://ow.ly/1tS8dY
[cpu] http://ow.ly/1tS8dN
[ram] http://ow.ly/1tS8ei x 2
[ssd] http://ow.ly/1rZlTi

Grand Total: $386 shipped to my Canadian Door - $10 Mail-in Rebate = $376

now the onboard i3 CPU issues are discussed
here --> http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=819...stcount=11

anyhow, how much you paid with shipping!?

I'm picking it up from the store

NCIX? sweet then, but still, how much then?

eskro Wrote:NCIX? sweet then, but still, how much then?

Sorry for the late reply (supper). The whole set up cost me $389.60 includes tax and rebates.

local pick up does make you save on shipping, thats great for that!

well u can try with the onboard i3 video but if anything, likely will, you'll need a video card

Thanks again for all the guidance. Wanted to chime in on some deals I got on these components. Tigerdirect has the Zotac board for $90 after $20 rebate and there's like 3% cashback through ebates. I heard there are some issues with Zotac rebates, but I figured I'd take a chance. Also Compuvest has the Intel E5700 for $55.

I'm going to hold off on the fan to see if maybe I can by by without it or cannibalize an old PC. Hoping to get a nice Lian Li Qxx case to boot!

Finally finished my build! Picked up a Lian Li Q09--it's beautiful. Only gripe is that it only fits a 2.5" laptop HDD. Shoved my 3.5" in anyway. Hope it doesn't have heat problems...

It seems like, even with Win7 running, this setup is a bit overkill. Why do you folks recommend this mobo / CPU combo instead of a CULV or Atom / Ion system that would use like 20 watts less? I am having a bit of buyer's remorse cause energy usage was a big factor for me and this guy uses 65w over like 20w in a CULV.

stash182 Wrote:Why do you folks recommend this mobo / CPU combo instead of a CULV or Atom / Ion system that would use like 20 watts less?

cuz its a great mobo that can be used to pack some nice punch in an HTPC!

14 months in and all of a sudden the whole system dies in the middle of movies. I'm thinking its a bad video card... and unfortunately the warranty is only 1 year unless I registered the mobo (didn't). Need the extra PCI slot for a hauppauge TV tuner card so can't put a video card in. This is a sad waste of money...

I think i'll buy an AMD E-350 setup now. I see them for <$100 including mobo and CPU.