I'm using a mATX board as my Media Center PC but looking into purchasing an ITX board. I really like what the Zotac GF9300-I-E Mini ITX board offers. (Link) I will be able to use a socket 775 processor (better than Atom), S/PDIF out (no need for bracket), onboard NVIDIA 9300 (no need for video card), PCI-E x16 slot (I can add an AverMedia Duet A188 - PCI-E x1), small size (it will fit in my media cabinet), etc. I'm reading the reviews for this thing and it looks like there's a QC issue and lack of support. Why is it that Zotac is the only board manufacturer offering this type of board? How come ASUS or Gigabyte can't make a similar board?

See if the Intel DH57JG fits your needs. If you combine it with a Core i3 or Core i5 it makes for a great Mini-ITX Media Center. Check out babgvant's review of it: Missing Remote: Review: Intel DH57JG and Core i3-530. I have a DH57JG + i3-540 in a MiniBox 350M and am very happy with it.

Thanks for the reply. I really like the GeForce 9300 on the Zotac because of its video decoder so I'm looking for a board with that. BTW, I've seen your case before. I really like how simple and small it is. Personally, I've been eyeing the Origen AE M10.

I'm a NVidia fan but the issue with the 9300 is that it does not offer bitstreaming audio and is a little outdated. You don't see as many Mini-ITX boards with the C2D\9300 combo as it was harder cool in that small size.

I use the 9300IE on an M10, no problems and very happy with the setup.

The M10 chassis fan is however noisy and there are limited options for quieter fans as it's 60mm. I've modified a decent 70mm which helps somewhat, although still a bit noisy. You won't however notice it once you're playing something.

mikinho

The 9300 ... does not offer bitstreaming audio.

I only require DD5.1 sound off of DVDs and OTA HD programming. Are you saying that the GeForce 9300 won't be able to send the signal to my receiver? I thought it has nothing to do with the video card. Currently, I have a SPDIF bracket connected directly connected to my motherboard header. My receiver, when a DD5.1 video is being watch, will light up the "DD" logo. And that is what I want.

Or were you talking about the GeForce 9300 not being able to send over a Dolby TrueHD signal over HDMI 1.3 when watching Blu-ray? Because I only have a 5.1 system, and Dobly TrueHD is irrelevant to me.

Anyway, my question still remains, how come the other mobo manufacturers aren't making HTPC ITX boards? Will they eventually? So is it just a matter of waiting?