htpc case advice

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  • September 24, 2011 at 6:51 am #26345
    TheShanMan

      I’m looking to build my first htpc which will be Windows 7 based. I really like the look of the Antec MicroFusion Remote 350 but I’d like to go with 2 hard drives – one for OS and one for media. The larger one has a volume knob. Do people really usually want a volume knob? I’ve got a separate receiver so I’m really disappointed by how much not wanting a knob limits me. I don’t suppose there is any other good use for the knobs?

      My basic requirements are: not very tall (probably about 4″ or less), multiple hard drives, clean looking front (but preferably I want it to look like a home theater component), no volume knob. IR would be nice but if I have to go with an external unit to get a case I like, I can live with that. I’m not sure about a vfd/lcd screen. I can’t quite find info on what exactly I’d be able to see with one. Theoretically I like the idea of having one but not if it doesn’t add real value. Can someone enlighten me about these, what particularly they will display in a Windows 7 environment?

      Back to the hard drive issue with the Antec, do people commonly go with an external hard drive for their HTPC? Any particular disadvantage to doing that? What about SSD for the OS? Since I’m not that knowledgeable about SSD I’m not sure if they’re all designed to go in drive bays or if there is some other form factor that would work with the Antec.

      I’m thinking I’m going to have to go with the Antec Micro with an external hard drive. But I’d like to get input on these questions before I proceed. Thanks!

      September 24, 2011 at 5:35 pm #31434
      TheShanMan

        I should have said 6″ or less.

        September 24, 2011 at 6:10 pm #31435
        Aaron Ledger

          Checl out our review of the Wesena HTPC-e5 chassis. It sounds like it may be just what you are looking for. There are a ton of other options out there other than Antec. Wesena also has larger chassis in the e6 and e7.

          SSD for OS is recommended if there is money in your budget as it will bring more of a CE experience. 

          As far as external vs. internal storage, people will use both depending on what the goal is. I’ve gone from having an SSD and 4 HDD to an SSD and 1 HDD for recording with all of my archived storage on a WHS 2011 box.

          September 25, 2011 at 4:33 am #31439
          TheShanMan

            Thanks Aaron. I really would like a display assuming it actually works well with media that’s playing so I’m not so sure about that case. After researching more, I’m realizing that depth is a big concern too as the shelves under my tv are only 16 to 17 inches deep (rounded front). So every time I start going down another road case-wise, I end up coming back to this Antec case, which fortunately is barely workable depth wise.

            That brings me back to the dual drive issue. I’m leaning toward an SSD for OS drive and a hard drive for media. Even though I could probably live with an external drive, I’m wondering if there’s any chance I could custom mount the SSD drive in this case. I’ve never used SSD before. Looking at this picture of the Antec…

            [img]http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/cases/MFR350/fini.jpg[/img]

            …it seems like I could just set an ssd drive above the hard drive and behind the VFD module. Does this (or some other crevice) seem like a possible way to get 2 drives in it? Maybe worth a dedicated thread to draw the attention of owners of this case?

            September 25, 2011 at 5:22 pm #31442
            Aaron Ledger

              That is plenty of room for an SSD. I have mounted to the side of a case using velcro without issue. The 2.5″ SSD are slim and light so mounting options can usually be found in many non-traditional places when required.

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