Hi all.


Can anyone here tell me a little more about the Intel Atom intergrated CPU and the ITX motherboards?

I am looking to build a new media-player for a client, and was looking very closely at the Mini-ITX and intergrated CPU platform, primarily for it's small size, but also as they are getting very cheap to buy these days - about US$80 for the one below!.

The one I have my eye on, is the Intel BOXD945GCLF2 board, which you can read about here

There is also a more basic rundown of it's abilities without getting too technical here.

Basically, Dual-Core 1.6GHz intergrated Atom CPU with 5.1 channel HD sound, VGA and S-Video out, which is very handy for connecting to an older TV(via S-Video) or any new TV(which all have VGA inputs these days...)

What I would like to know, is if anyone uses any of the ITX boards for a media-player, and if they do, which models they use, and why.

I can buy a single-core version of the same board, without the S-video out and with more basic sound for about $30 less, but for the difference in price...

I would imagine that 1.6GHz is enough to play just about anything with the exception of HD video, which they won't ever want. I would need to be able to play music, video files and DVD's. I don't think this board should have any problems with any of those due to it's specs, but before I bite off more then I can chew, I wanted to ask what others here think first.

Standard ATX or Micro-ATX boards are too big, and thirsty(read: noisy cooling fans etc) for a media-player, which needs to be quiet so as not to be heard above what you are trying to play.

I would love to hear any member's opinions and/or comments about the Atom processor, as this is one CPU I have never had anything to do with, and so would like to hear others opinions of this CPU.

Ta.