Hardware for "Similar" HD300 Performance and Appearance

[giacinto41]

Hi,

Since the HD300's are not available anymore and they are going for 300-400 + on Ebay, I started looking for hardware from which I can build similar devices using my extra client licenses.

I really like the new AMD Fusion processors but through searching on the web and on these forums, it seems the E350 Mobo/CPU combo seems to be a little underpowered with respect to the CPU performance.

Here are some alternatives that I found that would offer a lot more CPU power with all the same benefits of the Fusion technology.

Using a case similar to this:
http://hipergroup.com/products.php?lv=2&cate=2&type=12

Again due to the mATX limitation there are few cases in the size of the HD300 but this seemed like a decent alternative.

We can use the following bundle (there are cheaper bundles)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...479&CatId=7249
For mobo and CPU.

What I came across today and what has gotten me excited is the following mobo from ASUS:

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD...F1A75I_DELUXE/

It gives you all the functions available at the mATX level but in a mini-itx format. These opens up a whole new array of cases, with the addition of being able to use one of AMD's Quad Core APU's.

Looking for any other opinions, ideas, or other alternatives to the HD300.

Thanks

Jason

[giacinto41]

Anyone else have any good experiences with different mini-itx hardware. Maybe anyone who has pics of cases that is comparable to the HD300 size?

[Fuzzy]

nothing would ever be close the HD300 in size. a mini-itx MB is about 6"x6" square. The entire HD300 is something like 5"x4". Even going to an external power brick, and booting from a thumbdrive, you'd still be looking at 8x8x3 at least. Better option (and worlds cheaper) would be to just hide the box, and not worry about it's appearance.

that said, I've been running a mini-ITX i3 based client for quite a while now, and it works great. build is in my sig.

EDIT: This is the case i use... cheap, but works well. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121115

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

EDIT: This is the case i use... cheap, but works well. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121115

I was looking at that one, but the power supply has me worried (I like to stick with the brands I know).

I'm looking at this one. It has gotten good reviews on AVS and seems to be pretty solid. Plus, it's really small.

[giacinto41]

H Fuzzy, good point on the size but anything that is close would be helpful. That case you posted seems to be pretty good. Did you have any issues with heat, what type of cooling do you have on your CPU?

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

nothing would ever be close the HD300 in size. a mini-itx MB is about 6"x6" square. The entire HD300 is something like 5"x4". Even going to an external power brick, and booting from a thumbdrive, you'd still be looking at 8x8x3 at least. Better option (and worlds cheaper) would be to just hide the box, and not worry about it's appearance.

that said, I've been running a mini-ITX i3 based client for quite a while now, and it works great. build is in my sig.

EDIT: This is the case i use... cheap, but works well. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121115

Currently the first review for it says "insanely loud for a case that is supposedly used for a media center. I am looking for new fans now" did you replace the fans with anything quieter? or is yours even audible?

[Fuzzy]

Actually, when I bought the case a year or so ago, it had a smaller power supply, and it was pretty silent (used it in my master bedroom for quite a while, and never noticed the sound from it). However, that power supply DID fail on me, and I ended up purchasing a cheap replacement (was in a hurry) that is quite a bit louder. the system is now in my living room though, so the noise isn't an issue (I mean, it's not 'LOUD', but it is audible).

[gabrielcab]

I don't think a small client PC would be as stable as the HD300 either.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by gabrielcab

I don't think a small client PC would be as stable as the HD300 either.

I agree with this but what other option do we have, eventually the HD300's on Ebay will run out and all we will be able to do is build Client PC's (that is those of us who have client licenses).

[Fuzzy]

I've found my client to be every bit as stable as the HD300 (which was the main reason I hadn't purchased an extender for many years). It's all about keeping the configuration simple. I've got just what is needed installed, and nothing more. Works great.

[SWKerr]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I've found my client to be every bit as stable as the HD300 (which was the main reason I hadn't purchased an extender for many years). It's all about keeping the configuration simple. I've got just what is needed installed, and nothing more. Works great.

Agreed,
If you don't put a lot of other stuff on it it can be very stable. It may take a little longer to get the right drivers and codecs working but once it is perfect stop playing with it and you will not have problem.

[gabrielcab]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I've found my client to be every bit as stable as the HD300 (which was the main reason I hadn't purchased an extender for many years). It's all about keeping the configuration simple. I've got just what is needed installed, and nothing more. Works great.

What is needed to keep a client stable? I formated my PC (again) and even the live tv stutter from time to time. I have a i7, gtx580, windows 7 x64. I need the client to play .MKV, tv recordings and blu-rays rips.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by SWKerr

Agreed,
If you don't put a lot of other stuff on it it can be very stable. It may take a little longer to get the right drivers and codecs working but once it is perfect stop playing with it and you will not have problem.

See I've had sporadic problems with my client, don't know if its hardware or software related. My configuration is what I would call simple, only got Diamond and some other minor plugins installed (like canadian channel logos, extra Stop options and such). Every once and a while Sage decides to crash and I need to restart. Sometimes I'll go weeks without having a problem and sometimes as much as 2-3 times a day. I will be building a new client soon, hence the thread, we will see if the new hardware helps. If so I'll replace my other client too.

Any other suggestions on Client PC hardware, again I'm looking for the smallest client I can get. It needs to mount behind a wall mounted LCD.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by gabrielcab

What is needed to keep a client stable? I formated my PC (again) and even the live tv stutter from time to time. I have a i7, gtx580, windows 7 x64. I need the client to play .MKV, tv recordings and blu-rays rips.

for me, what is installed on my client is:
Win7, ffdshow, SageTVClient, Girder, ArcSoft TMT5, and ReClock. USB-UIRT control goes to Girder, which in turn controls the system power state, SageTVClient, and TMT5. TMT5 is launched for DVD and BD playback with my external bluray playback plugin.

[rnadeau]

I am using usbiurt as well but can't get it to wake from S3 with winxp sp3. Are you saying you can wake from S3 with girder installed?

[Fuzzy]

Yes, but it's not girder that does the waking. It is a feature built into the USB-UIRT. It DOES have to be programmed though, to tell it what IR codes will wake the computer. This can be done in either Girder or Lrnhelpr (check the USB-UIRT forums). You also have to have the computer configured in the BIOS to wake from S3 on USB.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by giacinto41

See I've had sporadic problems with my client, don't know if its hardware or software related. My configuration is what I would call simple, only got Diamond and some other minor plugins installed (like canadian channel logos, extra Stop options and such). Every once and a while Sage decides to crash and I need to restart. Sometimes I'll go weeks without having a problem and sometimes as much as 2-3 times a day. I will be building a new client soon, hence the thread, we will see if the new hardware helps. If so I'll replace my other client too.

Any other suggestions on Client PC hardware, again I'm looking for the smallest client I can get. It needs to mount behind a wall mounted LCD.

One thing I can tell you is the extra stop options plugin made my client very unstable.

The only instability I ever see is in SMM when my video card runs out of memory. Scrolling through movies will go very slow. Once the memory is released everything is fine. It isn't a driver issue as 3 different video cards from different manufacturers have the issue. Other than that I have nothing, and it happens so rarely that I don't really count it as an issue.

The only other problem I have with my client is WMC netflix goes black at random, but that is a crappy WMC problem not sage.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

One thing I can tell you is the extra stop options plugin made my client very unstable.

The only instability I ever see is in SMM when my video card runs out of memory. Scrolling through movies will go very slow. Once the memory is released everything is fine. It isn't a driver issue as 3 different video cards from different manufacturers have the issue. Other than that I have nothing, and it happens so rarely that I don't really count it as an issue.

The only other problem I have with my client is WMC netflix goes black at random, but that is a crappy WMC problem not sage.

Ill try running it without the extra stop options and see what happens. Thanks for the info.

Is no one else running mini-itx systems? Any other suggestions??

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by giacinto41

Ill try running it without the extra stop options and see what happens. Thanks for the info.

Is no one else running mini-itx systems? Any other suggestions??

Keep in mind that just because it did strange things to my system doesn't mean it did to yours.

I plan on grabbing a mini-itx system in the next few months. I've got lots of spare parts that will be made into clients first. Depending on how that goes will help me decide on whether or not I want to make some mini-itx clients.

[Boolah]

Originally Posted by giacinto41

Is no one else running mini-itx systems? Any other suggestions??

I'm running a mini-ITX in my kitchen without any problems. The only minor complaint I have is the stock Intel CPU fan can get a little loud once the box heats up. I originally had an ATI Radeon HD 6450 in the box, but found that the Sandy Bridge graphics played back 1080p video without issues, so I removed the card to reduce on power draw and heat. Here are my core components:

ASRock H67M-ITX
Intel Core i3-2100
8GB G.Skill Ripjaw Memory
Apex MI-008 Case
2.5" 200GB notebook HD I had laying around

I think you'll find it pretty hard to find a mini-ITX build that will mount neatly behind your TV. You might try looking at some of the "booksize" computers like these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856176025
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856173023