View Full Version : microATX mobo
chedburgh
10-10-2002, 16:19
Hi. Having decided I cant fit all I need on an epia or shuttle motherboard, I need a little advice if anyone can help. I am looking for a faily cheap micro/mini/flex ATX motherboard with the following:
Must haves…
2 Serial Ports (for 2 of them funky VFD units :D),
3 PCI slots (DVD decoder card, Audio Card, WinTV card)
Minimum 2 USB ports,
Onboard gfx with TV out,
Maybe…
Onboard LAN if possible,
Onboard Audio if possible,
Else…
AGP slot, if the motherboard does not have a TV out, I can stick in a dirt cheap gfx card for some TV output.
AMD or Intel, but I prefer AMD. Its for a DVD/MP3/WinTV PC I am building. I cant seem to find a case for it to. So I was going to use a microATX case and mod the front to look like a stereo unit (add a completely new aluminium front). I was wanting room on the front for a DVD drive and at least 1 4x20 Line VFD.
Any advice appreciated
Ched
Epox 8KMM?
I think you'l find it has everything you just said, except onboard TV out, but its got an agp slot anyway :)
Info here:
http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard.asp?product=EP-8KMMplus&lang=1
An you can buy it from kustom i think? for 90quid? It's the one in the stealth system right?
[ 10 October 2002: Message edited by: Splaty^ ]
Big Adam
10-10-2002, 17:19
(Adopts Jimmy Saville-like voice)
Ura-ura-ura-uh, how's about this then?
Crusoe developers kit (http://www.transmeta.com/developers/ss/MicroATX_Motherboard/TMuATX_ProductBrief_7-15-02.pdf)
Pretty much does what you want and as this is a HTPC project, you don't need out-and-out performance, just functionality.
Oh sorry, I've just seen the price!!!!! (http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS6930327136.html)
Trouble with your spec is the TV-out. Very few boards come with this function. Then again, if you're considering adding in a gfx card anyway, it's not so important. Two serial ports is a toughie too.
I'll keep an eye out!!
PJ Matthews
10-10-2002, 17:37
My friend, just get a micro atx nforce 1 or 2 board. It allows you to use existing AMD processors, has geforce or 4 graphics (depending on the model you show), has surround sound on board and lan as well much more.
You really don't need a DVD decoder card as most modern cards have hardware decoding built in (of some nature or another). You only really need the wintv card.
PJ
chedburgh
10-10-2002, 18:01
Hi, thanks for the suggestions. I like the Epox boards, they have a whole load of microATX on there site :) And that Crusoe, looks great, but yes, the price!!!
I already have a DVD decoder, I got the Sigma Xcard. I bought this after watching DVD playback on my geforce3 with powerDVD, it was not good (picture quality was low and I had limited resizing on my TV). The Xcard on the other hand is fantastic, it’s at least as good as a stand alone player IMO. I want to take all the load of the CPU anyway, to free it up to do some other tasks and try keep a more stable system. I will be running some of my own software to manage remote controls and the VDF displays etc.
I’ll post a spec if I ever get it sorted
Thanks again :)
Ched
PJ Matthews
10-10-2002, 18:14
Ya - lets us know how you get on.
whats up with the epox board? its got all the features you wanted bar the tv out..
PJ Matthews
10-10-2002, 19:45
Which is kind of important for what hes doing.
yeah, and its got an agp slot for a card.
chedburgh
10-10-2002, 21:51
I'm still looking at the Epox boards :) and maybe using a cheap and dirty gfx card for TV out. Did not have a chance to read the Epox site today, boss was in at work :D
Ched
PJ Matthews
10-10-2002, 23:12
The epox board is nice and small. Dirty cheap graphics card? How about the 7500 AGP which can be had for very, very, very little. Most have a TV OUT. On the other hand you could splash out a little more, forgetting the wintv and adopting an all in one Creative Cinema card (geforce 2 with tv tuner) or ati all in wonder. This is, of course, no good if you wish to use a satellite decoding card.
PJ
chedburgh
11-10-2002, 10:08
I had been looking at them digi Nova T cards. Then i saw some reviews, and they tended to rate pretty bad.
The ATI all in wonder’s are certainly a possibility!! Tho I found a TV-OUT gfx card in my maplin catalogue last night for £30 hehehe, maybe to cheap :)
Ched
Big Adam
11-10-2002, 20:23
If you want to REALLY save money, then have you considered a Socket370 board.
Okay, so they ain't got no kudos but you can pick up something like this (http://www.biostar-usa.com/products/socket370/m6vcf/m6vcf_specs.htm) for around £35 easily!
They've got loads of them on eBay too. They have the two serial ports you're after but only two PCI slots, however if you go the "All-in-Wonder" route PJ is suggesting, that don't matter anymore.....right?
PJ Matthews
11-10-2002, 20:45
and sticking a 933 VIA chip in it will be very cheap too!
Big Adam
11-10-2002, 21:53
Bargain basement HTPC all round!!!
........oh, until you order those LCDs :D
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