Challenge: X58 (LGA 1366) uATX mobo

[drew]

This is turning into a scavenger hunt....

Found a couple, but they want $300(!) for them...

que fuck?


I understand this is probably a lesson in futility, but it's equally hard finding a reasonable HTPC case for ATX boards.

Thought if I could find an X58 uATX, I could reuse CPU/Ram, and then only have to contend with what to do with the full mobo (anyone interested?)

[thesameguy]

You know, I would ebay or cl that board & CPU and get something else. Those i7s were 130w processors IIRC which means you'll need some serious cooling, and that's going to make noise. This late in the game finding someone who needs a 1366 motherboard is going to be rough, but you've got a functioning combo which could be attractive to someone doing a nice but budget build. Well under three bills gets you good Haswell setup, and under two bills a decent one. You should be able to get $100-$150 for the combo you've got, so your outlay is going to be $50-$150. Far better to spend that money on new stuff that to try and find a unicorn matx X58 board IMHO.

[drew]

Yeah, it's all "game time decision" at this point. I'm in no hurry.

I may make an official offer to a good home of the left over bits (which would be very cheap for someone to complete the system). Whatever I get out of that, wouldn't leave much for an HTPC.


thinking....

[Yw-slayer]

I agree with TSG, and have nothing to add.

[drew]

Ok, so after a week of getting cross-eyed looking at various HTPC Setups, I think I've got it narrowed down:

Common bits:
CORSAIR CSM Series CS450M 450W: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139058

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277

Corsair Force LS Series CSSD-F60GBLS $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233626

Fractal Design node 804: $110

373aa2ba-0f04-45ce-95c2-bc816cbc7864.jpg
fd-ca-node-804-bl1000x10001.jpg
81d1eec3-4f5a-4ab1-af84-046c027e713e.jpg

Intel Option:
i3-3225 35W (HD4400) $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116947
ASRock H97M Pro4 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157512


AMD Option:
Athlon 5350 Kabini 25W (HD8400) $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113364
ASUS AM1M-A AM1 $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813132097



Intended use:
1. Stream music video over the network from the big box (thus only the 60GB drive, for now)
2. Utilize XBMC (just discovered this yesterday, need to study, but looks tits)
3. Use internet minimally, mainly using it for Netflix/Hulu.
3. Possibly add tuner card and big HDD down the road to use as DVR.


Now, decision making (though, it should be an easy one).

The Intel option has a total of about $500, the AMD: $390, it may be a no-brainer.

Both boards have HDMI and SATA 6.0/USB 3.0. So they would (hopefully) be able to handle the task for a long long time.

[Yw-slayer]

For what you're doing, save the money and stick with the AMD.

[thesameguy]

This is a solid deal for a lightweight HTPC base:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...1730239&cm_sp=

[drew]

hmm, interesting.

Question though, motherboard doesn't seem to have optical out (which, I do have a PCI sound board from the last box (which the new mobo doesn't have PCI slots)).

Second, and more troubling, no video?

After spending most of the day yesterday, looking at various things, I've now got two "deal breaker" sticking points:

CPU graphics
HMDI output
SPDIF optical output onboard, or, mobo with PCI slight (to recycle HT Omega card)

This is turning into fun

[drew]

Ok, change of plans, yet again.

After going to Tiger Direct (pretty awesome/(deadly) having one 5 minutes away)), I asked about the trade-in thing, blah blah.


Considering the difficulties of haggling/listing, etc, etc (Craigslist, etc). I think I found an easier/cheaper solution.


Enter the Fractal Design Node 605:
fd-ca-node-605-bl11000x1000.jpg

Full ATX, roomy, and won't look out of place under the TV.


So now, that just leaves a smaller (400-450W) PSU (Corsair 430M is $50), and a fanless GFX card (still researching that).

All done, given the headaches trying to sell all the shit, I think the return from anything I did sell would be a wash.

So, try to sell the mobo/CPU/sink/ram, and probably get only $200 out of it, and still need another $200 to build the HTPC, or:
Use what I have, which will end up costing an additional $200+/- to complete the missing parts anyway. That's if I'd ever even sell it...

On top of that, I'd have a monster of an HTPC (seriously overkill, would back the clocks to OEM/2.67Ghz).


so, tsg, you're up again. I need a recommendation on a GFX card (preferably fanless and HDMI), as my X58 doesn't have onboard.

[Random]

That's a pretty case.