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Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 609

post #18241 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyfoon2 View Post

I actually mean; be Able to play 1080p content from a network drive (1gb network).

"Stream" videos means just sending video contents in the local storage to another system (over Network). Any decent system can do that. Well, any decent system can also play back streamed HD videos. Check the mini-ITX budget/low-end Intel system in my guide.
post #18242 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

"Stream" videos means just sending video contents in the local storage to another system (over Network). Any decent system can do that. Well, any decent system can also play back streamed HD videos. Check the mini-ITX budget/low-end Intel system in my guide.

I have the november guide but there they all seem to be cooled with a fan. I know that there are some passive cooled ITX boards out there like ASUS E35M1-I de Luxe but they are not mentioned. Are these no good?
post #18243 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Yes, it is good. Check the feature comparison table to see what an AMD E-350 system can do and what it can't do.

If your display supports VESA mount, you can attach Mini-Box.com M350/Lian Li PC-Q09 on the back of the display.
post #18244 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Yes, it is good. Check the feature comparison table to see what an AMD E-350 system can do and what it can't do.

If your display supports VESA mount, you can attach Mini-Box.com M350/Lian Li PC-Q09 on the back of the display.

Bummer. The E-350 boards don't really support 1080p so not really an option. Is there a mini ITX board that is passive cooled but support 1080p? If not, is there one which is very silent?
post #18245 of 18891
Thread Starter 
"HD film" in the table = 1080p, that is the easiest format for any system.
post #18246 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

"HD film" in the table = 1080p, that is the easiest format for any system.

But there is an "X" at HD p video in the table for the E-350 boards (which is the only passive cooled mini itx I can find) and even dashed (-) when it concerns "2d video by ffdshow"; My reading of your table is that this means that 1080p playback is NOT smooth.

Am I reading this wrong or has there been a change in the december version of the guide?
post #18247 of 18891
Thread Starter 
As in "Legend",

- HD film = 1080p24 = 1920x1080 progressive 23.976/24 fps, that includes the majority of BD movies
- HD p video = 1080p60 = 1920x1080 progressive 59.94/60 fps, a format used by the latest comcorders.
post #18248 of 18891
So the more I read on this the more confused I get:
I got my external seagate goflex usb3.0 3TB. (2nd one, first was DOA ). This one seems to be working as I tested at store very quickly.
I have win 7 x64
This will not be an OS drive, only storage of movies, music, etc.
The reformatting thing is whats confusing me, some sites say reformat using gpt, make changes to bios MBR, firmware updates ...
Do i need the files that are on there already?

I'm so confused
post #18249 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Formatting the drive with GPT should be enough.
post #18250 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by investmentcar View Post

Thanks! I realized a picoPSU was going to be a $50 cost and leave a hole in my case...
At this point I am looking at the SILVERSTONE Sugo SG05-B with the included SFX 300W 80Plus PSU pared with the ASRock H67M-ITX. It is not Z68 to take full advantage of my 2500k, but the Z68 offerings in Mini-ITX are limited and costly...

My final issue is to figure out a slim DVD drive (mostly ripping, rarely burning, I don't have blurays at this point) and any sata to micro sata adapter...
I see you recommended the Sony Optiarc AD-7700S last year. It looks like the Optiarc AD-7690H-01 is the current model.
As far as a DVD Writer:
1). Should I just go for the 7690?
1a). Is this the right MicroSATA to SATA adapter?
2). The slim drives are slow, maybe I should get an external usb full size dvd drive. Which one would you recommend?
2a). Would this cause issues trying to install W7 via usb?
Thanks again!
John

FYI to anyone shopping for a mini-itx case: The Lian Li PC-Q08 doesn't come with the same USB3.0 front panel connector as pictured when you zoom into picture 6 - which shows a ghetto USB3.0 connector that you would have to string out of the back of the case. That is actually what I was going for just to move the usb3 to the front. The one I got came with a proper USB3.0 INTERNAL connector. The problem is - I can't find a single mini-itx board that has an internal USB3.0 connector. I contacted Newegg and they told me that just ship what they get. I tried to email Lian Li a few times and they haven't responded.
Between that and the size of the Q08 - I am going to return it and go back to the Silverstone SG05BB-450 I was looking at except in 450w.

I have a question on the slim drives. This Sony Optiarc AD-7740H-01gets down to $23 with the coupon code for -$7/8. What is wrong with this drive? Just a no feedback stigma?
Thanks,
John
post #18251 of 18891
Hey renethx, in November built one of your spec'd Intel mid-range mini-ITX systems and am VERY pleased with the results. Am looking to do it again soon and was wondering if you saw any substantive hardware changes coming in the next couple months or are your current spec's going to be unchanged before I buy?
post #18252 of 18891
Thread Starter 
The main changes in the next issue will be:

- AMD A6-3650 -> A6-3670K/A8-3870K
- AMD HD 6900 -> HD 7900

There may be small changes here and there, but I am not sure what they are until I review all the components available now.
post #18253 of 18891
Quote:
The main changes in the next issue will be:

- AMD A6-3650 -> A6-3670K/A8-3870K
- AMD HD 6900 -> HD 7900

There may be small changes here and there, but I am not sure what they are until I review all the components available now.

Thanks!
post #18254 of 18891
When is next update of the guide?
post #18255 of 18891
Hey guys,

I have a dilemma. Which APU is better to go for HTPC.

A8 3870 (TDP 100W) or A6 3500 (TDP 65W)

I am worries about 100W TDP in A8 3870. Please help!

I know that A8-3800 / A8 3820 are better but I can't find them to buy.
post #18256 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Even at video playback with software decoder + madVR, the power consumption of the system (DC) is

- A6-3500: ~50W
- A8-3870K: ~60W

There is nothing to worry about.
post #18257 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Even at video playback with software decoder + madVR, the power consumption of the system (DC) is

- A6-3500: ~50W
- A8-3870K: ~60W

There is nothing to worry about.

Are you sure about 3500 ~ 50W / 3870K ~ 60W at video playback? Weird, only 10W difference between them.

If its true than no sense to buy A6-3500
post #18258 of 18891
I am running an HTPC that I built based on renethx's March 2011 guide, but for some reason, there is now an about 1 second lag on the audio, which occurred after I reinstalled windows. In other words, the audio is about 1 second after the video.

I am running:
Windows 7 64-bit (SP1)
Intel i3-2100 @ 3.10
AS Rock P67 Extreme4
4 GB RAM
SSD
2nd Spinning HD for Data
ATI Radeon HD 3600
Windows Media Center
Ceton 4-tuner card
Shark 007 codecs

Videos are saved to a second (spinning) hard drive. But the problem occurs even when I run videos off the SSD boot drive.

The problem occurs whether I play through WMC or another video player (e.g., Hulu, Youtube). The HTPC is connected via an HDMI cord to a Sharp 60 in (LC-60e79u).

I have tried the following, all with no luck:

-- updating the video drivers
-- changing the TV and the HDMI cord; no luck
-- uninstalling and reinstalling codecs (tried Shark 007 and CCCP)
-- reinstalling Windows 7

In my ATI settings, I can increase the audio lag, but not decrease it. About a month ago, I installed an SSD. On the prior set up (same hardware, just a regular HD), I was not having the issue. The SSD and a new install of Windows are the only things that have changed.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
post #18259 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.leXus View Post

Are you sure about 3500 ~ 50W / 3870K ~ 60W at video playback? Weird, only 10W difference between them.

If its true than no sense to buy A6-3500

Nothing weird. "TDP (Thermal Design. Power)" is the *maximum* power consumption of the processor, that tells nothing about power consumption at a light work load such as video playback.
post #18260 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Nothing weird. "TDP (Thermal Design. Power)" is the *maximum* power consumption of the processor, that tells nothing about power consumption at a light work load such as video playback.

I will use HTPC for:

60% - Surfing, Online TV, SD content.
25% - HD content 1080p
15% - Old games, like Burnout Paradise Ultimate, Unreal Tournament 2004, Need for Speed Undercover.

Can you tell which system is better from power consumption and noise level side.

1.
- AMD A8 3870 Black Edition Unlocked 3.0 GHz + integrated ATI Radeon 6550D (TDP 100W)
- ASUS F1A75-M PRO

2.
- Intel Core i3 2100T 2.5GHz (TDP 35W)
- Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H-B3
- ATI Radeon 6670 1GB (TDP 66W)

3.
- AMD A6 3500 2.1 GHz + integrated ATI Radeon 6530D (TDP 65W)
- ASUS F1A75-M PRO

Looks like AMD A8-3870 is better choose compare to Intel i3 2100T for my HTPC. The total power consumption will be lower with A8. Am I wrong?
post #18261 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.leXus View Post

I will use HTPC for:

60% - Surfing, Online TV, SD content.
25% - HD content 1080p
15% - Old games, like Burnout Paradise Ultimate, Unreal Tournament 2004, Need for Speed Undercover.

Can you tell which system is better from power consumption and noise level side.

1.
- AMD A8 3870 Black Edition Unlocked 3.0 GHz + integrated ATI Radeon 6550D (TDP 100W)
- ASUS F1A75-M PRO

2.
- Intel Core i3 2100T 2.5GHz (TDP 35W)
- Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H-B3
- ATI Radeon 6670 1GB (TDP 66W)

3.
- AMD A6 3500 2.1 GHz + integrated ATI Radeon 6530D (TDP 65W)
- ASUS F1A75-M PRO

Looks like AMD A8-3870 is better choose compare to Intel i3 2100T for my HTPC. The total power consumption will be lower with A8. Am I wrong?

Is the video card really necessary for the Intel system?
post #18262 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Dr.leXus,

Any of A8-3870K, Core i3-21xx is OK (avoid the "T" version, why). As for gaming, 3DMark06 Basic score:

- Intel HD 2000 (Core i3-2100): ~3200
- Intel HD 3000 (Core i3-2105): ~4200
- A6-3500: ~5400
- A6-3650: ~6000
- A8-3850: ~7200
- Core i3-2100 + HD 6670: ~12000

You shouldn't worry about noise. Just attach a better CPU cooler if you don't like the stock cooler. Check my guide.
post #18263 of 18891
renethx,

Purchased your guide and love it. You have saved us tons of researching and hours. Thank you.

Question for you. I built the budget Intel system for my bedroom. It is working famously, but the case is extremely noisy. My wife says it sounds like a jet. Its all from the case fan. It runs constantly. Is there something I can do? Quieter case fan. Adjust fan settings some how?

Any help would be appreciated. Get the waf back.

Thanks!
post #18264 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsmclay View Post

renethx,

Purchased your guide and love it. You have saved us tons of researching and hours. Thank you.

Question for you. I built the budget Intel system for my bedroom. It is working famously, but the case is extremely noisy. My wife says it sounds like a jet. Its all from the case fan. It runs constantly. Is there something I can do? Quieter case fan. Adjust fan settings some how?

Any help would be appreciated. Get the waf back.

Thanks!

This method works with almost every microATX/ATX case with multiple fans.
post #18265 of 18891
Thanks renethx. So do you just turned down the voltage to the fans, which will reduce the sound? Is that how it works? Also, I am assuming the fanmate goes inside the case, zip tied to the case or something. Correct?
post #18266 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsmclay View Post

Thanks renethx. So do you just turned down the voltage to the fans, which will reduce the sound? Is that how it works? Also, I am assuming the fanmate goes inside the case, zip tied to the case or something. Correct?

Yes. Sound pressure has a close relation to the rotation speed, which is in turn almost proportional to the voltage.

You can attach Fan Mate outside of the case.
post #18267 of 18891
Hi Renethx, looking forward to your next guide.

I have a question regarding the Intel DH61AG. Can you run a discrete graphics card from the PCIe 2.0 -X4 socket? An adaptor may be needed, but I'm wondering if it can be done, and if so, what is the likely affect on the video performance for HTPC?

Thanks in advance...
post #18268 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mudwiggle View Post

I have a question regarding the Intel DH61AG. Can you run a discrete graphics card from the PCIe 2.0 -X4 socket? An adaptor may be needed, but I'm wondering if it can be done, and if so, what is the likely affect on the video performance for HTPC?

Yes, just make the closed-end socket to open-end. The performance difference is none to little in video playback.
post #18269 of 18891
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Yes, just make the closed-end socket to open-end. The performance difference is none to little in video playback.

Do you mean cut/file out the closed end?

thanks...
post #18270 of 18891
Thread Starter 
Yes.
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