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2012 Q1 AVS HTPC Census

post #1 of 118
2/8/12 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Interested in seeing the breakdown of the following at AVS. Maybe we can repeat this a few times a year to see what people are using...

BTW --- This is NOT meant to start a war of A is better than B. Please reserve that for the numerous other threads here at AVS.

[Poll not possible for this many questions. Please copy the following and BOLD you answer choice.]

1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
h. Other AMD
i. Other Intel

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. None

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. MPC-HC
i. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 118
2/8/12 at 3:52pm
first

(This spot is for sale... make an offer )

Updated:
My new HTPC build with pictures:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1393537

1. What operating system do you use?
b. Windows 7 64 bit PRO edition


2. What platform do you prefer?
f. Intel i7 2600K CPU with discrete dual ATI 6870 graphics cards

3. How much RAM do you use?
e. 16GB 1600mhz DDR3 PC12800 RIPJAWZ by Gskill. Overclocked sometimes. Does not make much difference though.

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
b. Yes, SATAIII. OCZ Vertex 3 MAX IOPS.
(Played with RAID 0 and two of them for a bit)


5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
g. More than 4TB!
I have 20TB+ of storage inside my PC wired directly to my motherboard via SATA cables.
I have a PCI and PCI-X SATA plug in cards for addional SATA ports since my board only has 4 SATA 2 and 4 more SATA3 6G on it.



5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
e. 3TB - 4TB in other PC's networked.


6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
b. WMC + Media Browser mostly.


7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes

8. What size HTPC do you use?
Answer = D. None of the Above. My case is an ULTRATOWER

http://www.coolermaster.com/microsite/cosmos_ii
a. Mini-ITX = too small
b. Micro-ATX= too small
c. Full ATX= too small



9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray. Two of them. One reader, and one writer


10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired. It's only way to roll.


11. How large is your PSU?
f. More than 600 watts. 1300watts actually



12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
c. No. I have a TIVO HD upgraded with a 2TB green drive. I use TIVO desktop program, and can transfer back and forth from my PC to my TIVO and vice versa easily. I can publish a movie to it, or move a recorded TV show to my PC. It has dual cable cards. The menu and stuff I just prefer over HTPC.


13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
h. More than $1500 easily. It would scare me to add it up, my mouse pad was over $50 and it's probably the cheapest piece of my system.



14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming



15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years. It probably would be more than enough for 5 years but I doubt I will keep it past 3.
My last two PC's are now in my office as daily use PC's. I just reclock them back to stock and replace the coolers with the stock intel coolers to quiet them down.




http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1393537


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1393537
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post #3 of 118
2/8/12 at 4:02pm
Thread Starter 
Well this idea came to a screeching halt. Anyone know if there is a way to do a poll with 10 different questions in which to answer? The default poll is 1 question with 10 answers.

Thought it was 10 questions with multiple answers per question.
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post #4 of 118
2/8/12 at 4:09pm
Suppose you'll have to do 10 different polls with links to each from this page.
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post #5 of 118
2/8/12 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Suppose you'll have to do 10 different polls with links to each from this page.

Yeah that's too complicated.

Disregard. Mods feel free to delete.

Would have been a cool idea though. Thought about doing it on a website but no way to ensure legitimacy and limit it to 1 user per answer/poll.
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post #6 of 118
2/8/12 at 4:45pm
how about just post the questions and people can reply with answers ?

What questions you have in mind ?
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post #7 of 118
2/8/12 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

how about just post the questions and people can reply with answers ?

What questions you have in mind ?

Okay. I will update the first post with what I had in mind.

Feel free to copy and paste and bold your answers.
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post #8 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Okay. I will update the first post with what I had in mind.

Feel free to copy and paste and bold your answers.

I will edit my first post directly under it with my answers
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post #9 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Poll posted. Have fun.
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post #10 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:15pm
Cool idea! Here is mine.

1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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post #11 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:19pm
Guess I'll bite and fill this out. Currently running 4 HTPCs, all very close in specs.

1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years

Currently one of the HTPC's is 5 years old, only getting a new video card to allow bitstreaming of the lossless codecs, all others are built on SB i3 cpus. It may just be sentimental reasons, or the room it is in, but I actually prefer the older HTPC over the others for some weird reason. It's probably all the time I spent getting everything working exactly the way I wanted it.
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post #12 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:22pm
1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. none

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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post #13 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:24pm
1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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post #14 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:25pm
Little hard on my phone but here you go:

1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit

2. What platform do you prefer?
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. i3 Clarkdale without 3D)


3. How much RAM do you use?
c. 4GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
g. More than 4TB (5TB)

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
f. 4TB - 8TB (6TB)

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
h. Other - Sometimes use MPC-HC directly

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes

8. What size HTPC do you use?
b. Micro-ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired

11. How large is your PSU?
c. 120-380 watts (380)

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device (on hold)

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
c. $400 - $500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
c. 3-5 years
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post #15 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Poll posted. Have fun.

I edited my first post.
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post #16 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:28pm
[Poll not possible for this many questions. Please copy the following and BOLD you answer choice.]

1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB Going to 8 soon as my new MB get here
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly Internal SSD
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB Internal Mechanical storage
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts soon to be <100 watts w/ power brick for DH61AG that is on the way

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years I have a online shopping problem...
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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post #17 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Interested in seeing the breakdown of the following at AVS. Maybe we can repeat this a few times a year to see what people are using...

BTW --- This is NOT meant to start a war of A is better than B. Please reserve that for the numerous other threads here at AVS.

[Poll not possible for this many questions. Please copy the following and BOLD you answer choice.]

1. What operating system do you use?
[/b]a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB -4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. None

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years

Here you go also HD4850 Graphic Card, HD-DVD drive
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post #18 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

first

(This spot is for sale... make an offer )

Updated:

1. What operating system do you use?
b. Windows 7 64 bit PRO edition

2. What platform do you prefer?
f. Intel i7 2600K CPU with discrete dual ATI 6870 graphics cards

3. How much RAM do you use?
e. 16GB 1600mhz DDR3 PC12800 RIPJAWZ by Gskill. Overclocked sometimes.

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
b. Yes, SATAIII. OCZ Vertex 3 MAX IOPS.
(Played with RAID 0 and two of them for a bit)

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
g. More than 4TB!
I have 20TB+ of storage inside my PC wired directly to my motherboard via SATA cables.
I have a PCI and PCI-X SATA plug in cards for addional SATA ports since my board only has 4 SATA 2 and 4 more SATA3 6G on it.

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
e. 3TB - 4TB in other PC's networked.

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
b. WMC + Media Browser mostly.

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes

8. What size HTPC do you use?
Answer = D. None of the Above. My case is an ULTRATOWER
http://www.coolermaster.com/microsite/cosmos_ii
a. Mini-ITX = too small
b. Micro-ATX= too small
c. Full ATX= too small

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray. Two of them. One reader, and one writer

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired. It's only way to roll.

11. How large is your PSU?
f. More than 600 watts. 1300watts actually

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
c. No. I have a TIVO HD upgraded with a 2TB green drive. I use TIVO desktop program, and can transfer back and forth from my PC to my TIVO and vice versa easily. I can publish a movie to it, or move a recorded TV show to my PC. It has dual cable cards. The menu and stuff I just prefer over HTPC.

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
h. More than $1500 easily. It would scare me to add it up, my mouse pad was over $50 and it's probably the cheapest piece of my system.

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years. It probably would be more than enough for 5 years but I doubt I will keep it past 3.
My last two PC's are now in my office as daily use PC's. I just reclock them back to stock and replace the coolers with the stock intel coolers to quiet them down.

Guess you need to turn it way up.. I'm thinking that generates a little heat and noise.
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post #19 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Guess you need to turn it way up.. I'm thinking that generates a little heat and noise.

It's not in the same room

It's in my office,(one room over with a 50ft HDMI running under the floor to the equipment closet that has my Onkyo receiver; from there the output hits a splitter and runs to my projector in same room and also a 55" plasma in living room. My pc literally plays on three displays in three rooms.) You would be very surprised how quiet it is. high end stuff is not that noise. I have 10 fans.. and it's quiet if I am not overclocked.

I should post a video- with a SPL meter. You would need to see it to believe me.

I have three fan speed settings for front, side, GPU, and HDD's fans. On low it's very quiet. The controls are integrated into the front of my case. It's really a wonderful case. Well thought out. Best I ever owned.
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post #20 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:40pm
My PC is in my office. The case and cooling is about 10 years old now. It's a little loud. My HTPC is whisper quiet with only the PSU fan for cooling.

You must have a long HDMI cable then?
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post #21 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

My PC is in my office. The case and cooling is about 10 years old now. It's a little loud. My HTPC is whisper quiet with only the PSU fan for cooling.

You must have a long HDMI cable then?

lol your fast.

I edited the above reply.

It's 50ft. Only one room over. I have drop ceiling in basement so it was easy run. Wiring the speaker wires through all the existing walls and snaking it was much more difficult. Took me a whole weekend. Speaker wires suck.
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post #22 of 118
2/8/12 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post


lol your fast.

I edited the above reply.

It's 50ft. Only one room over. I have drop ceiling in basement so it was easy run. Wiring the speaker wires through all the existing walls and snaking it was much more difficult. Took me a whole weekend. Speaker wires suck.

I thought that changed.

And yes clean speaker wiring takes a weekend. I did years ago but added 2 more for 7.1 in 2008 at which time I re-did it all and added CAT5e. Big pain but worth it..
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post #23 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

I thought that changed.

And yes clean speaker wiring takes a weekend. I did years ago but added 2 more for 7.1 in 2008 at which time I re-did it all and added CAT5e. Big pain but worth it..

My house had finished walls and plaster in that room since it was old section. I went up the wall 4ft and refused to drill any holes that would be visible or use any plates. It was royal pain the you know what.

Looks slick now though...

Yup your right.. after it is done it's well worth it.
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post #24 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:05pm
1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
h. Other AMD
i. Other Intel

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATA III
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. None

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. MPC-HC
i. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No - of course, once I finally get a receiver this will change

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired - gigabit!
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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post #25 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:07pm
http://surveymonkey.com/pricing/?ut_source=header
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post #26 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tooler40 View Post

http://surveymonkey.com/pricing/?ut_source=header

Right. But I can't guarantee that someone will do it more than once.

Plus it seems like a hassle for many. But ideally it would be nice to be able to choose a choice and compile the results.
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post #27 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post


Right. But I can't guarantee that someone will do it more than once.

Plus it seems like a hassle for many. But ideally it would be nice to be able to choose a choice and compile the results.

We want to see your answers!

Have fun compiling the data.
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post #28 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
h. Other AMD
i. Other Intel

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. None

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver (testing currently)
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. MPC-HC
i. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No (have an external bluray drive attached to main HTPC)

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
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post #29 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:32pm
1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
h. Other AMD
i. Other Intel

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB spinning media
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. None (yet)

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. MPC-HC
i. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
__________________
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post #30 of 118
2/8/12 at 6:52pm
1. What operating system do you use?
a. Windows 7 32 bit
b. Windows 7 64 bit
c. Windows XP
d. Mac OS
e. Linux
f. Other

2. What platform do you prefer?
a. AMD CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Llano with 3D capability)
b. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge with 3D)
c. Intel CPU with integrated GPU (i.e. Sandy Bridge without 3D)
d. AMD CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
e. AMD CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
f. Intel CPU with discrete ATI graphics card
g. Intel CPU with discrete NVidia graphics card
h. Other AMD
i. Other Intel

3. How much RAM do you use?
a. 1GB
b. 2GB
c. 4GB
d. 8GB
e. 16GB
f. 32GB

4. Do you use a SSD for your OS?
a. Yes, SATAII
b. Yes, SATAIII
c. No

5. How much storage do you have internally in your main HTPC?
a. 30-64GB for OS mainly
b. 64-500GB
c. 500GB - 1TB
d. 1TB - 2TB
e. 2TB - 3TB
f. 3TB - 4TB
g. More than 4TB

5. How much storage do you have connected via your network, server or NAS to your main HTPC?
a. 80-500GB
b. 500GB - 1TB
c. 1TB - 2TB
d. 2TB - 3TB
e. 3TB - 4TB
f. 4TB - 8TB
g. 8TB - 12TB
h. 12TB - 20TB
i. 20TB - 30TB
j. More than 30TB
k. None

6. What do you use as your front end (more than one answer is allowed for this question)?
a. WMC
b. WMC + Media Browser
c. XBMC
d. Plex
e. JRiver
f. My Movies
g. Media Portal
h. MPC-HC
i. Other

7. Is bitstreaming HD Audio important to you?
a. Yes
b. No

8. What size HTPC do you use?
a. Mini-ITX
b. Micro-ATX
c. Full ATX

9. Do you have an optical drive in your main HTPC?
a. Yes, bluray
b. Yes, DVD
c. No

10. How is your HTPC connected to your network/internet?
a. Wired
b. USB Wireless
c. PCI/PCI-e Wireless
d. Its not connected

11. How large is your PSU?
a. 60-80 watts
b. 80-120 watts
c. 120-380 watts
d. 380-450 watts
e. 450-600 watts
f. More than 600 watts

12. Do you use your HTPC as a DVR?
a. Yes, with a cablecard device
b. Yes, with a OTA tuner device
c. No

13. What was the total cost of the hardware (excluding the OS) for your main HTPC?
a. $300 or less
b. $300 - $400
c. $400 - $500
d. $500 - $600
e. $600 - $800
f. $800 - $1000
g. $1000 - $1500
h. More than $1500

14. Do you do gaming on your HTPC?
a. Yes, emulator (non-intensive graphics) gaming only
b. Yes, including modern intensive graphics gaming
c. No, none at all

15. How long do you expect that your HTPC hardware will remain "usable" and "upgradeable"?
a. 1-2 years
b. 2-3 years
c. 3-4 years
d. 4-5 years
e. 5-10 years
Reply
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