Wanting to build a MicroATX system

[DosE]

After browsing through some sites about the microATX form factor I
am interested in building a system with it. I have heard good things about
the nforce2 chipset, which I heard is available in microATX form. I was
just wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for a mobo supporting
the microATX form factor. Have any of you ever built a system using this
form factor? If so, what gear did you use and how was the assembly process
different from building a machine based on the ATX form factor (besides the
obvious of components being more cramped)?

Thanks for your time,
-DosE-

 

[AJ]

After browsing through some sites about the microATX form factor I
am interested in building a system with it. I have heard good things about
the nforce2 chipset, which I heard is available in microATX form. I was
just wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for a mobo supporting
the microATX form factor. Have any of you ever built a system using this
form factor? If so, what gear did you use and how was the assembly process
different from building a machine based on the ATX form factor (besides the
obvious of components being more cramped)?

Thanks for your time,
-DosE-

I've built several. The two best are Biostar M7NCG 400 and the
Chaintech 7NIF2.
I like the Biostar since it has on board graphics. Even if you get a
locked 2500+ Barton just set the FSB to 400 and you have a 3200+!

http://tinyurl.com/2erps

A 200w generic emachine PSU runs either board perfectly. The board
fits in any ATX case although doing that kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[g]

Yeah, I recently built a home theater pc using a microatx mobo, with
a chenbro case. The mobo is a biostar MIG7 VIG Pro, but only because
that particular board lets me use either sdram or ddr ram ( I had some
sdram lying around). When I was building the pc, 'bout 6 or so months
ago, it seemed like there were not many mobo's or cases available, but
that has changed - there are a lot more out there now. I like the
smaller mobo, cause I don't need all the expansion slots. I'm just
using the agp/video slot, and a pci sound card. But, the case is
smaller and sometimes a biyatch to work in. And, if you want a pc
with more than a couple of ide devices, you may need to get an atx
case, both for the room and power supply. That kinda negates the
advantage of a smaller mobo, in my opinion. Having said that, building
the machine was really no different from an atx form pc.

My htpc has a fair size hd (120 gig) and a dvd-rom, oh and a smaller
harddrive (30 gig) spooned in there. I think thats about all that
case/ps can handle. Still though, thats plenty for most people, and
I'll build another micro atx for my own use in about six months or so,
soon as I scrape together the funds! : )

 

[DosE]

After browsing through some sites about the microATX form
factor I
am interested in building a system with it. I have heard good things
about the nforce2 chipset, which I heard is available in microATX
form. I was just wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for
a mobo supporting the microATX form factor. Have any of you ever built
a system using this form factor? If so, what gear did you use and how
was the assembly process different from building a machine based on
the ATX form factor (besides the obvious of components being more
cramped)?

Thanks for your time,
-DosE-

Which cases has everyone used? That is my dilemma right now, I want a
snazzy case for this thing. I saw some cool one's on
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20031209/index.html but I have yet to
find the one's they show for sale at any of the online sites. I
particularly like the Ying-Yeang case and the Chenrbo Hornet (even though
it's nearly the same size as an atx mid tower it just looks badass!)

-Dave-