| Make | Model | Price | Form Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asrock | E350M1 | $109.99@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| Asrock | E350M1/USB3 | $119.90@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| MSI | E350IS-E45 | $129.99@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| MSI | E350IA-E45 | $139.99@newegg.com $159.00@logicsupply.com | Mini-ITX |
| GIGABYTE | GA-E350N-USB3 | $149.99@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| ASUS | E35M1-I DELUXE | $174.99@newegg.com* | Mini-ITX |
| ECS | HDC-I2 | n/a | Mini-ITX |
| ECS | HDC-I2/E-240 | n/a | Mini-ITX |
| Jetway | NC85-E350-LF | $149.99@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| Sapphire | PURE Fusion Mini E350 | $139.99@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| Sapphire | PURE White Fusion E350 | $109.99@newegg.com | Mini-ITX |
| Foxconn | AHD1S | n/a | Mini-ITX |
* Newegg took this mobo off its shelf as of 4/21/11 still listed on ASUS website though.
From my brief web search (see here) indicates that there are more to come. For example, Biostar and Zota have not released their Zacate/Hudson board. Yep, that's why I'm not in any hurry to make up my mind on motherboard :)
The concern of using one of these Mini-ITX boards is that the board (17cm x 17cm) extends enough so that the optical drive will cover up portion of the board. With < 79mm height of the case (even less between mobo and the drive), the motherboard heatsink may not fit under the drive. I will need to do more in depth assessment later.
In case that none of these motherboards are short enough, the alternative choices are
| Make | Model | Price | Form Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | D945GSEJT | $99.95@logicsupply.com | Mini-ITX |
| Via | EPIA-N800 | n/a | Nano-ITX |
| Via | EPIA-N700 | n/a | Nano-ITX |
| Via | EPIA NX | n/a | Nano-ITX |
| Via | EPIA NR | n/a | Nano-ITX |
The Atom-based Intel board is a nice one. It's short (< 20 mm H). The combination of underpowered single-core Atom and GMA 950 graphics is a concern, but it may not be critical as I am not interested in 1080p video playback with this PC. Also, there are several people over on the AVS Forum already using this mobo for their HTPC with Marvell CrystalHD video decoder.
Via Nano-ITX boards have the ideal size (12mm x 12mm) but they are not really geared towards multimedia (especially hi-def video playback). So, they will be the ultimate last resort when packaging completely falls apart.
The ideal scenario is for somebody to release Nano-ITX Fusion board... and I found this! It doesn't appear that they do business in the U.S., but I'm keeping my figures crossed someone in the U.S. will sell it (at a reasonable cost).
Update 4/21/11
Newly in-stock: Asrock USB3 version, Sapphire Pure White Fusion E350
Off the shelf: Asus E35M1-I DELUXE
