NMEDIA HTPC 100 Case

What is it?: HTPC Case
Product Name: NMEDIA HTPC 100
Manufacturer: NMEDIA
Price: $143 (as reviewed here) - $238 barebones kit
Availability: Now
Verdict: Elegant choice for full size MicroATX HTPC project.

The HTPC (home theatre personal computer) genre is in full swing in 2005. A quick scan of the floor at this year's CES show in Las Vegas showed more and more manufacturers catering to the merging of personal computing and traditional media entertainment. All the top players are represented: Antec, Ahanix, CoolerMaster, Silverstone, the list goes on. I have been a fan of this PC subculture for some time as you may tell since two of my custom mod projects for bit-tech have been HTPC's. With WindowsXP Media Center Edition within reach for the rest of us who would rather "do it ourselves" there's even more motive.



So when I came across a new model of case from a company I have yet to hear of, NMEDIAPC, I had to take a look. First glance shows a lot of potential but only a closer look will tell for sure.

Some of the boasted features include:

• Micro ATX Motherboard
  
• 3 Full Size PCI and 1 AGP Expansion Slots
  
• 270W PFC Power Supply
  
• 60mm Case Fan

Front Connections Including:

• USB 2.0 x 2
  
• IEEE 1394 Firewire x 1
  
• Audio Ports
  
• 7 in 1 Card Reader
  
• LCD Module Display Featuring:
  
• Date / Time / CPU Fan Speed Controller
  
• CPU Temp / Case Temp. / HDD
  
• Embedded IR Receiver for Wireless Keyboard & PC Remote (optional)