Hardware for "Similar" HD300 Performance and Appearance

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Boolah

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

Some of the zotac's actually have vesa mounting built in for that very reason.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

Some of the zotac's actually have vesa mounting built in for that very reason.

Yeah, that is the type of case I am looking for. I am hoping that I can find something that will fit behind the TV. If not I am thinking of using the HD300 I do have from my MBR, and replacing that HD300 wih a client, where size isn't so much of an issue.

Let me know of any other mini-itx configs you guys are running ad your experiences so far?

[jptheripper]

http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.87/.f

With vesa mounting options, and the smallest case around

[lfilomeno]

Originally Posted by Boolah

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

Boollah,

I am assiming you are using Win764 as the OS right? What else do you have on your setup besides the OS and Sage client? Thanks.

[Boolah]

Originally Posted by lfilomeno

Boollah,

I am assiming you are using Win764 as the OS right? What else do you have on your setup besides the OS and Sage client? Thanks.

Yes, I'm running Win7 x64. The only other software on there is the Intel HD drivers, USB-UIRT drivers, ffdshow, lrnhelper (to program the USB-UIRT to wake up from S3 with my remote) and stock drivers for the rest of the components on the motherboard (i.e. audio, LAN, etc.). No other software or codecs installed. I did have the ATI drivers and ATI Media Codec Pack installed when I had the Radeon card in there, but uninstalled them when I removed the ATI card.

The machine is plenty snappy too. I'm running Diamond and posters on "The Wall" view fly by much faster/smoother than my HD200. I was about 2 weeks too late on ordering the four HD300s I was planning on getting for my new house, so I can't compare the speed to a HD300.

[lfilomeno]

Originally Posted by Boolah

Yes, I'm running Win7 x64. The only other software on there is the Intel HD drivers, USB-UIRT drivers, ffdshow, lrnhelper (to program the USB-UIRT to wake up from S3 with my remote) and stock drivers for the rest of the components on the motherboard (i.e. audio, LAN, etc.). No other software or codecs installed. I did have the ATI drivers and ATI Media Codec Pack installed when I had the Radeon card in there, but uninstalled them when I removed the ATI card.

The machine is plenty snappy too. I'm running Diamond and posters on "The Wall" view fly by much faster/smoother than my HD200. I was about 2 weeks too late on ordering the four HD300s I was planning on getting for my new house, so I can't compare the speed to a HD300.

I see. thanks for your prompt response. I want to go that route since I had two software client licenses and need for now two more clients.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by jptheripper

http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.87/.f

With vesa mounting options, and the smallest case around

Couldn't find many cases (that I liked), that have the PS I would need for my build. In the end I will most likely use my HD300 and mount it behind the LCD. To replace the HD300 in the MB, I ordered the following:

- APEX DM-387 (I settled on this case, it was cheap and small enough for the MB. If/when more mini-itx cases with 200W PS become available I'll look into getting something sleeker and smaller)
- AMD A8-3850 APU
- Asrock A75M-ITX
- 8GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM (1866MHz)

Cant wait to get this build going and see how the new AMD APU performs.

[Fuzzy]

Newegg sells 8 different mini-itx power supplies >200W. Just buy the case you want, and a power supply that will feed it.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Newegg sells 8 different mini-itx power supplies >200W. Just buy the case you want, and a power supply that will feed it.

Yeah I know I saw those, but the size of case I was looking for required a Pico PS with AC-DC external block (think Zotac ZBOX size case). Sadly the few models of PS that I found at around 200W did not fit the few slim mini-itx cases that I liked, due to a special DIN connector.

Additionally this will give me a chance to actually see how much space I really do need for CPU cooling and cooling in general.

If you any suggestion for cases that are the ZBOX range let me know.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Fuzzy]

I've already given my recommendation... hide the box in a closet. You'll save a LOT of money not having to buy the shrunk down systems - you'd save more than the cost of the HDMI and USB extension cables that would be required.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I've already given my recommendation... hide the box in a closet. You'll save a LOT of money not having to buy the shrunk down systems - you'd save more than the cost of the HDMI and USB extension cables that would be required.

True, thats why I am using my HD300 to mount behind the LCD. I am replacing the HD300 with the hardware I cited above since the HD300 used to be in my bedroom. There is plenty of space under my LCD, on my dresser to fit the new CHEAP case lol. When and if the small cases with pico PS get to a more reasonable price (and of course the ones I like are pretty expensive lol), thats probably when I'll get one.

Thanks for the help everyone. Will let everyone know how the new hardware works out (I read on a few threads that the E350 lacked a little in HP so hopefully the A8 will address this issue).

[Fuzzy]

I honestly don't see why you would need a 200W power supply for a sagetv client. If so, you are buying too powerful hardware. My more than capable i3 client draws at most about 65W.

[will]

Zotac announced a new system that could make a pretty nice extender.

It is a palm-sized computer that costs less than $300.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/03/z...md-brazos-apu/

The box looks more like Zotac's VIA-powered mini-PC, but inside the AD10 falls right in line with rest of the AD series, packing an AMD E-350 APU alongside a Radeon HD 6310 chip. You're also looking at integrated 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and a pair of USB 3.0 ports -- not bad for something that's (just barely) palm-sized. The AD10 Plus model comes pre-stocked with a 320GB hard drive and 2GB of DDR3 RAM for only $276. The barebones model doesn't seem to have been priced yet, but we wouldn't expect it to be too much less considering how cheap memory and hard disks are these days. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Seems like it will have enough power to handle HD content.

[giacinto41]

Originally Posted by will

Zotac announced a new system that could make a pretty nice extender.

It is a palm-sized computer that costs less than $300.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/03/z...md-brazos-apu/



Seems like it will have enough power to handle HD content.

I read in several areas (and saw a few posts here) that the E350 lacked a some CPU horsepower for some applications. That is basically what I am looking for case wise, maybe even a thicker, but that style. I'd just like to fit a mini-itx mobo with the A8-3850 APU.

[Fuzzy]

The 3850 is a LOT more than you would need for a client. the e350, cpu wise, is considerably better than an Atom-330, and there are plenty who have used atom boards with the ion gpu as capable clients. The gpu with the e350 is also on par if not better than ion's, so it should have no problem for a client. (honestly, if the gpu is good, the cpu really doesn't do much in a client, except the UI - and even that in sage is somewhat accelerated.

[lfilomeno]

Originally Posted by giacinto41

I read in several areas (and saw a few posts here) that the E350 lacked a some CPU horsepower for some applications. That is basically what I am looking for case wise, maybe even a thicker, but that style. I'd just like to fit a mini-itx mobo with the A8-3850 APU.

Here is a link to the conclusion page for a review of Zotac's new product. This new device looks great for a client (for those with Client licenses laying around) and it seems to have the necesary power to handle digital media request.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556/5

[will]

Originally Posted by lfilomeno

Here is a link to the conclusion page for a review of Zotac's new product. This new device looks great for a client (for those with Client licenses laying around) and it seems to have the necesary power to handle digital media request.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556/5

Of all the possible HD300 "replacement" clients I have researched this looks like the best combination of size, performance, and cost.

[lfilomeno]

Originally Posted by will

Of all the possible HD300 "replacement" clients I have researched this looks like the best combination of size, performance, and cost.

I do strongly agree with you Will. And it comes pre-loaded with a wireless N NIC!

[SafetyBob]

Sorry to ask what is a completely stupid set of questions, but I have recently in the past few hours realized that Hauppauge's website incorrectly shows the old original MVP but will actually send the newer MVP-HD instead (thanks for attention to detail there hauppauge), so I will be upgrading from Version 5 to 7 soon and will build a new complete sage server. (for those following, massive lightening strike took out all but two old MVP's)

Will the MVP-HD not natively work like the old MVP's did before (such as they boot up, find sage server, then the sage interface appears on the screen)?

I have been reading the past month or so following the Boxee threads too, but I like many on this thread build all my stuff and I have 3 mini-itx systems on the back of monitors now for surfing and checking email around the house, the question is, OK, how do you watch or better yet, how do you control sage while laying in bed from one of these mini-itx systems?

Told you it was going to be a very stupid question or two, but after 6, close to 7 full years of completely stable wonderful SageTV watching with NO additional work on my part, you can tell I need to get up to speed on alot of stuff.

Bob E.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by SafetyBob

Will the MVP-HD not natively work like the old MVP's did before (such as they boot up, find sage server, then the sage interface appears on the screen)?

They will NOT.

Gerry