Best barbones for a HTPC???

2005-05-24, 18:11

Does anyone have any good ideas about what barbones are good for MP or any other PVR.
I'm favouring the Shuttle ST62K but it only has one Pci slot inside and i will need that for my HP150MCE the good thing with it is that it's quiet and has S-Video output and SPDIF out/inputs.

So i was wondering if anyone has anything else worth considering that has all the A/V's on the back.

ta
J

Autoper · 2005-08-25, 18:05

I have tryed various MSI models, and find them very good

MrMario64 · 2005-09-28, 07:56

I have the Spectra Barebone from FIC
http://www.fic.com.tw/product/advanf...a/default.aspx

includes a keyboard, mouse and MCE remote, HD audio and a shitload of connectors on the back.
It's cooled by 2 8cm fans and thus very quiet.

dpajur · 2005-10-17, 23:48

That FIC Spectra looks fantastic! Where did you get it?

tomtom21000 · 2005-10-18, 09:14

I got this one:

http://nolanparty.com/mediaportal.so...pic.php?t=9440

It is in HiFi form factor.
After 2 month I am still extremely content with it. No noise at all.
All kinds of output/inputs at the back.

You could save some money with some lower specs. And you shouldnÂ´t be afraid of assambling it by yourself.

tomtom

FredSven · 2005-10-30, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMario64

I have the Spectra Barebone from FIC
http://www.fic.com.tw/product/advanf...a/default.aspx

includes a keyboard, mouse and MCE remote, HD audio and a shitload of connectors on the back.
It's cooled by 2 8cm fans and thus very quiet.

That looks great! Where did you buy that? And for how much?

/Fredrik

wortelsoft · 2005-10-30, 11:52

I would have a look in your local computer shop or mailorder. I have a cooler master cavalier as that was the only case I could get a few months ago but now the stores are selling more and more cases.

tklon · 2005-10-30, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by lingus

I'm favouring the Shuttle ST62K but it only has one Pci slot inside ...

The ST62K is based on a Radeon 9100 IGP which offers only DirectX 8.1 Support. This isn't the best choice for mp.

// EDITED

I like to correct my first statement and point you to this thread:
http://nolanparty.com/mediaportal.so...pic.php?t=6824

James · 2005-10-30, 14:51

Hi Lingus,

I have a ST62K. Which is really quite except on boot up (For some reason the fan goes at full speed for a few seconds .. before spinning down).

Otherwise it works quite well:

- TV: I have a 150MCE and MCE remote. I would suggest getting the 500MCE for two tunners.

- Video: It is only a DirectX 8.1 card but does seem to perform ok. It uses main memory. So you will need enough RAM to allow for this.

- Audio: It has AC97 and I have had problems with the new drivers, but the old ones work ok. However I use SPDIF and have an external amp. Which I believe bypasses some of the card.

- DVD: I have a NEC 3520A Silver which is a fairly close match for the case colour. It would also be possible to use the blanking plate and hide any drive behind it.

- CPU: I have a celeron 2,6GHz in mine.

- RAM: I have 512Meg, but the video card uses main memory. So I have 128Meg assigned to the video card. Leaving 384MB.

Other comments it supports supend to S2 and can wake on USB. So remote on and off. However, I have had some problems with the remote not working after resume (but I think this the XP and not the case).

I think it is not too bad a case for an HTPC as it is quite cheap.

Hope this helps.

/James

2005-05-24, 18:11	#1 (permalink)
lingus Guest Posts: n/a	Best barbones for a HTPC??? Does anyone have any good ideas about what barbones are good for MP or any other PVR. I'm favouring the Shuttle ST62K but it only has one Pci slot inside and i will need that for my HP150MCE the good thing with it is that it's quiet and has S-Video output and SPDIF out/inputs. So i was wondering if anyone has anything else worth considering that has all the A/V's on the back. ta J

2005-08-25, 18:05	#2 (permalink)
Autoper Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 87 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have tryed various MSI models, and find them very good __________________ Sys1: 2,4Ghz Core 2 Quad- 2 GB RAM - Geeforce 8600 - SB Audigy2 - Hauppauge WinPVR150 - MCE2005 Remote - Panasonic 32" Widescreen Sys2: 2.8Ghz Core2Duo - 2 GB RAM - Geeforce 8800 - SB Audigy2 - PVR500 - MCE2005 Remote - Radix - Barco Graphics 808s, 3 tube projector TVServer: 2x Xeon 2.33GHz - 4 GB RAM - 500GB HD RAID0 - 2x HVR4000 Media/Streaming -server: 2x Xeon dualcore 2.0GHz - 4 GB RAM - 4TB HD RAID5

2005-09-28, 07:56	#3 (permalink)
MrMario64 Retired Team Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Age: 34 Posts: 822 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	I have the Spectra Barebone from FIC http://www.fic.com.tw/product/advanf...a/default.aspx includes a keyboard, mouse and MCE remote, HD audio and a shitload of connectors on the back. It's cooled by 2 8cm fans and thus very quiet. __________________

2005-10-18, 09:14	#5 (permalink)
tomtom21000 Retired Team Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 1,014 Thanks: 7 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My System	I got this one: http://nolanparty.com/mediaportal.so...pic.php?t=9440 It is in HiFi form factor. After 2 month I am still extremely content with it. No noise at all. All kinds of output/inputs at the back. You could save some money with some lower specs. And you shouldnÂ´t be afraid of assambling it by yourself. tomtom __________________

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2005-10-17, 23:48	#4 (permalink)
dpajur Portal User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That FIC Spectra looks fantastic! Where did you get it?

2005-10-30, 11:52	#7 (permalink)
wortelsoft Portal Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Age: 32 Posts: 374 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I would have a look in your local computer shop or mailorder. I have a cooler master cavalier as that was the only case I could get a few months ago but now the stores are selling more and more cases.

2005-10-30, 14:51	#9 (permalink)
James Portal Developer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Switzerland Posts: 1,348 Thanks: 4 Thanked 55 Times in 34 Posts	Hi Lingus, I have a ST62K. Which is really quite except on boot up (For some reason the fan goes at full speed for a few seconds .. before spinning down). Otherwise it works quite well: - TV: I have a 150MCE and MCE remote. I would suggest getting the 500MCE for two tunners. - Video: It is only a DirectX 8.1 card but does seem to perform ok. It uses main memory. So you will need enough RAM to allow for this. - Audio: It has AC97 and I have had problems with the new drivers, but the old ones work ok. However I use SPDIF and have an external amp. Which I believe bypasses some of the card. - DVD: I have a NEC 3520A Silver which is a fairly close match for the case colour. It would also be possible to use the blanking plate and hide any drive behind it. - CPU: I have a celeron 2,6GHz in mine. - RAM: I have 512Meg, but the video card uses main memory. So I have 128Meg assigned to the video card. Leaving 384MB. Other comments it supports supend to S2 and can wake on USB. So remote on and off. However, I have had some problems with the remote not working after resume (but I think this the XP and not the case). I think it is not too bad a case for an HTPC as it is quite cheap. Hope this helps. /James

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