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Using an Atom CPU, multimedia playback is the target. I haven't found much info about the two graphics chipsets, but those are my primary choices for mini-itx boards. My initial belief is the 430 would be better, but the ION was created for multimedia in htpc environments. Any thoughts?

You're installing one of these on an existing machine? Because I think the ION is integrated into the motherboard.

I can assure you that the GT 430 will excel in media playback. I can play Skyrim on Ultra settings using one.

Yeah, the ION might be good for netbooks, smaller displays etc, and I'm fairly happy with my netbook which has one - but that's what they're built for. You'd get what you need with the ION, but you'd get what you want with the GT.

Trying to run Skyrim on an ION just wouldn't work. I'd say that unless it's for something really small, like a small factor PC with a lower resolution (1024x768 sorta limits), then the ION would be ok. But, the GT is certainly more powerful, and maybe it's better to go for that - in case you want to do more than just media playback, you might want to do a bit of gaming as well.

I agree JRH and Van B.

I had been looking at this Asus board:
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=65#AT5IONT-I-DELUXE

It's a 1.8GHz dual core Atom CPU with ION2 graphics and built-in 90w power supply. It's also passively cooled.


But I think I found what I'm going to use. It's a Zotac mini-itx board that has a 1GB GT430 and an LGA 1155 socket. Using an i3-2100T (2.5GHz, 35w TDP), I can keep power and heat low while having a much more capable machine in the same small space.
http://www.zotacusa.com/zotac-z68-itx-wifi-supreme-z68itx-b-e.html


But as of writing this, I discovered Zotac has a new board with a 2.13GHz Atom and a GeForce GT 520.
http://www.zotacusa.com/zotac-d2700-wifi-supreme-d2700itxs-a-e.html

These are my top choices right now. For my intial design does not have space for a PCIe graphics card, the imbedded option is a big consideration in my choice. I like the convenience of the integrated PSU in the Asus board, but the power I could get from the other two (especially the LGA1155), makes them more enticing.


I think when I first planned this, my main reason for using an Atom initially was because of power contraints and the lack of LGA1155 boards and CPUs for those lower requirements (which are now obviously more available). And theorectically, I should be able to handle any 65w TDP processor, such as the i7-2600S (2.8GHz).

This is the case I designed that all of this will be fitting into, roughly 3" tall. I'm redesigning the blueprints now.
http://zimnox.com/neptune/order.htm
I'm a machinist and welder in the army, so I'll most likely build the case of aluminum.

I have an additional idea for this PC I came up with this weekend that will really make it stand out from other HTPCs. More research is required before I share that info.