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Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:36 pm
by Fire-Flare
My goal is to upgrade my backup system to run Ubuntu and Windows 7/8 without lag for the next few years.
Two particular boards seem perfect for the job, the Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX would allow me to use existing parts to make an inexpensive, dual-core 2.8GHz system with a large downblowing cooler to manage temperatures across the entire board. The only extra I'd need is a card for more SATA ports.
Alternatively, the ASUS E35M1-I would be a 1.8GHz dual core with 6 SATA III ports and a huge heatsink over which I could rig a fan.
If you have another suggestion my preferred total budget for the project is $125, I want 4 or more SATA II/III ports, and once installed the motherboard will have about 3.5 inches of clearance for cooling and I want to leave the fan(s) an inch to breathe.
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:50 pm
by ces
Does anyone know how the graphics processors compare between these two boards?
Or how the NVIDIA GeForce 9300 graphics processor compares with the Sandy Bridge graphics processors, or any other processors?
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:50 pm
by Fire-Flare
ces wrote:Does anyone know how the graphics processors compare between these two boards?
Or how the NVIDIA GeForce 9300 graphics processor compares with the Sandy Bridge graphics processors, or any other processors?
I need to do some more digging, but as a rough estimate: The latest hierarchy chart at Tom's Hardware says the AMD HD 6310 and 3rd generation Sandy Bridge are about the same as a discrete 9400GT or HD 5470, and the integrated 9300 performs like a discreet 6600 or ATI 2400 Pro.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gam ... 107-7.html
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:08 pm
by ces
Fire-Flare wrote:Two particular boards seem perfect for the job, the Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX...
See:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813500022
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:20 pm
by Fire-Flare
Yes, that's the Zotac board I mentioned. I have my eye on SPCR's review sample.
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:25 pm
by ces
Fire-Flare wrote:
Yes, that's the Zotac board I mentioned. I have my eye on SPCR's review sample.
If you look closely, newegg has 89 reviews of the board.
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:33 pm
by Fire-Flare
ces wrote:Fire-Flare wrote:
Yes, that's the Zotac board I mentioned. I have my eye on SPCR's review sample.
If you look closely, newegg has 89 reviews of the board.
I have read them, most of the negative remarks are about the wifi module.
Re: Upgrading, which ITX board should I get?
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:17 pm
by toronado455
That Zotac one is deactivated on NewEgg.
How about this one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131807
This appears to be the same as the ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE in your poll, except upgraded to E-450, Radeon HD 6320 graphics, and can use faster memory. It costs $15 more.
A tangential question... with the passive heatsinks, could one use these in a regular ATX case with only exhaust and intake fans (positive air pressure setup)?