Htpc..... I just cant pick a mobo.....

[swtcorrado]

I have been researching for days now..... I need a micro atx mobo to fit in my antec fusion case. I dont want on board video, I need high quality sound with a direct pass thru optical output and would like it on board as I'll have limited pci slots available. I need pci express, only one mind you. I want to run an intel E8400. I need firewire with an on board option to run to the front of the case. I need a serial port. And I'd like to have enough pci slots to fit 2 or 3 tuner cards.

So far I have my case and a evga 9600gt ssc card.

I need to choose a mobo next so I pick up my memory and drives.....

Is this combination possible? Am I just spinning my wheels here? What other information do you guys need to help me choose?

Cheers

Dan

 

[ilovebarny]

dude did you really pay 180+ dollers for that case? thats insane. but its your choice so ill say no more. on to the mobo. most micro atx boards that i have looked at have one pciE 16x slot and two pci slots. i have yet to see one that has more. also i really dont suggest onboard sound for a HTPC. and when you say that you need a serial port i assume you mean a Esata port on the front of the case correct? on my case ( antec sonata 3) the Esata port just plugs into the sata ports on the mobo. here is a mobo i found. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128072
not the greatest thing but it would probably get the job done. except for the sound.

 

[swtcorrado]

Thanks for the reply....

I certainly did not=) $50 rebate.. includes psu... looks nice... I thought it was quite a good deal. I've seen it in person at fry's and it looks very nice and as its going to be next to my $1500 SONY ES receiver I thought it should look the business.

And I need a serial port on the back... I have a personal gps system the tracks my workouts and it contect via 9pin serial port, like the one you would see next to an old skool parallel printer port.

Is a sound card necessary? All I need is a direct pass through optical.

 

[ilovebarny]

mm not exactly the best deal but with 50$ off its acceptable. i dont really pay attention to rebates till im going to buy a product. ok mm serial port. well my mobo came with one that plugs in to the front panel usb plugs on the mobo. but some of them do still have those plugs in the back. also you know they make adapters that i think go from 9pin serial to usb. and no a sound card is not necessary. i have just found that some onboard sound cards tend to develop crackling noises.
these mobos have serial ports. there nothing spectacular but they were the first ones i found. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500005