This might be old news, but I thought I'd point out the recent releases of Atom processors from Intel are looking like the ideal sff or media PC CPU's:
http://www.mini-itx.com/reviews/atoms/d ... asp?page=8

The latest dual-core is capable of 1080p decode on it's own, personally I'd like to see a better chipset with HD-Decode onboard before I make the dive into it for a media PC, but for £70 including CPU it's very tempting!

Nice, very low price. I remember last time I looked at itx they where over £150 for a decent one that would do what I wanted.

If only AMD(ATi) did a gfx chipset for Atom... that would be awesome! HD decode and enough power to play CS:S and other games at 720p! I'd put one together tomorrow!

do you think they will?

I doubt it. Nvidia are dropping out of the chipset business. It's moving towards a total solution from each manufacturer. Only if Intel pull Larrabee out of the hat soon and it's kicks arse will there be an Atom chipset with decent graphics. In the meanwhile we'll have to rely on AMD.

I was just looking and for £80 you can get a uATX 780G board and X2 5000+ processor for £80 from Scan, which can play games, but the CPU is about 60W and the chipset must be about 35W-40W, so with a HDD you're easily above the 100W range - ie more than mini-ITX PSU's supply.

Albatron have an mini-ITX 780G board planned (AM2), which will be interesting if it's <£50.

Looks like SoC is moving ahead, there is now a chip name out there:
Pineville

If the graphics doesn't support HD decode/encode they're mad.

I'm not sure if there is scope for it in the protocol but if your including usb 3.0 on the SOC then that could be used as an interface for a graphics card as its pushing around 4.8gb/s. Obviously depends on latency etc but its a possibility.

Rack you forgot the "h" in your link.

sorted

I'm not sure USB is suitable for things like graphics... there are lots of different issues other than bandwidth, latency is one.

There's some good onboard gfx itx boards out now for AMD, which in combination with a 4850e (45W) CPU make for a good media PC, but still nowhere near a dual-core Atom for power consumption
Nvidia 8200 for £90
OR a 780G for £130

Still, a dual-core Atom with HD decode 'on the side' will be the killer motherboard for media PC's.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HTPC-3-2GHz-Atom- ... dZViewItem

This ebay seller seams to recon that the onboard intel chipset is up to it at least for 1080p?

It's the dual-core Atom (3.2GHZ! WOW!) which is capable of decoding 1080p in the processor - not the GPU/chipset... so the CPU will be at 80% load while playing a blu-ray or HD file.