[waterfoul]

IN WIN Dragon Slayer Black 0.6mm SECC MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-2GBNQ
ASUS Maximus V Gene LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard (a little on the expensive side but it was either this or a PCIE audio card)
Intel Celeron G1610 Ivy Bridge 2.6GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80637G1610
Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V30GB2A 2.5" 30GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
And a PicoPSU 120W

I plan to hook this to a nice 2 channel optical DAC (Music Hall dac25.3) and equivalent speakers

Thoughts?

[Christer K]

Looks solid, stylish case there =)

[GortWillSaveUs]

Why the choice of the PicoPSU? That case looks like it can use a PSU. Just wondering.

[Odrax]

It'll do the job but i'd recommend a smaller case, and a case with more internal 3.5" drive bays for HDD's unless you'll have your media on a server. Also you might want to look into getting 4GB ram (with prices so low now) depending on what OS you'll be running.

[GortWillSaveUs]

yes,..I agree about the ram,...get at least 4GB

[waterfoul]

I'm planning on running XBMCbuntu and I have a central network storage for the media (and database). I was going to go for the picopsu to get rid of a fan thus reducing the noise level. I'll probably go for more ram

[joelbaby]

I'm planning on running XBMCbuntu and I have a central network storage for the media (and database)

If you are running XBMCbuntu, and have your storage elsewhere ... this is a great combination.
You do not need such a large PC. Mini ATX case should be the biggest thing you need.

I hate to be repetitive ... but why don't you just get an Intel Celeron NUC + 4Gb + 32Gb SSD + Simerec, or the X-26 mentioned in another thread? If you watch Hi10P (used in weird japanese cartoons) then get an i3 version.
If you need room for a full size 2.5" drive (and I'm not sure why you do), look at any of the systems from DougieFresh on www.ecosmartpc.com based on a Mini-ATX motherboard.

[waterfoul]

Looks like I need to do more research. I'll look into those but I am picky about my audio and want to make sure whatever is driving the optical is of high quality. Unfortunately 90% of the motherboards use low end chips especially in the smaller boards where space and power are at a premium. I'll be editing this post with my findings

Intel Celeron NUC - Out, no optical, no full size pcie to add a sound card
X-26 - Out, same reason

I'll look further into miniatx but the size of the case isn't that important to me as long as it works and is quiet

[Richard39]

I agree with others , 4 gig ram and the case is 2 big for a htpc , look for a proper htpc case , some of the Silverstone ones for example

also imo 200 dollars is 2 much for a mobo just for a htpc for that money im guessing u can get a haswell i3/pentium and a asrock 1150 mobo for 200 dollars give or take