Client-only hardware decisions... help... (1 Viewer)

[seijirou]

I've had my nose in google searches for a long time now trying to come up with gear for a client.

It's been hard to find some clear data on what works.

I can build something (and I'd probably prefer to build something unless there's a large price point difference) and was first looking at maybe a 35watt i3 w/ HD2000 or 65watt i3 w/ HD3000 lga1155, but I've heard that the intel HD2/3000 have issue with incorrect framerates? The i5 is all expensive!

Another option then would be the AMD llano which i can get with integrated 6410D or 6530D at 65watts or less.. or more cpu cores with 6530D or 6550D at 100watts. But I've read some things that ATI graphics have trouble in MePo?

So if I didn't build something, I'd buy something.
These are relatively the same but slightly different.
Zotac AD10. I get the impression that it should be ok. It's a shame that there's no digital audio though.
Zotac AD02 which I think has the same cpu/gpu, but maybe a different motherboard b/c it does have spdif. Newegg reviews for HD playback though don't sound too good.
Or the Foxconn NTA350.

My tv-server uses a hauppauge colossus so my live and recorded TV is all h.263. Input is 720p from FIOS so I'd configure the display for 720p also. OS will be Windows 7. Snappy client experience is a must!!!

I'd really like to be able to play blueray from my client too.. and the zotac/foxconn book-sized delios don't have provision for an optical drive. Is blueray realistic or should I learn to live without? If blueray isn't realistic the zotac/foxconn are more viable choices (if they don't suck.).

So anyway, any opinions from people who have a remote client that just works, I'd love to hear about it!

 

[seijirou]

bump, for science!

 

[porky996t]

Hi seijirou,

I have two MP clients that work very well indeed. I use a Zotac ZBox ID41's with full HD output via HDMI. These have 2Gb RAM and a SSD in them and are used with a MCE remote control. I have them fixed to the rear of the LCD TV's so they are out of sight. I have disabled the wireless transmitter and just use the Gigabit LAN for networking to the main HTPC. I am impressed by them.

HTH,



M.

 

[m0t0k0]

I built my client with the i3-2100 on a m-atx H61 board. Including a case it was £160

Plays everything I have thrown at even while I remote into it and play around

LAV splitter can now properly utalise the intel quicksync video decoder so it draws very little juice

intel CPU beats the same price AMD offering hands down for everything but iGPU power but I don't game on it so no problems there there is supposed to be a 24fps bug but I cant say I have noticed it (my TV wont do 24p anyway)
When I get a better TV I could always drop a discrete GPU in there and see if I can see a differance

I like it because if it is no longer used as a HTPC its still a solid workstation.

You could even go for something like the G620 if its just a client and thats even cheaper

 

[JimCatMP]

Hi Seijirou

Suggest you pop over to the HTPC/Hardware forum - you'll find posting there that may helpful and are more likely to pick up replies.

Foxconn 350 was a unit I considered (supplier sold out at wrong time) so I've gone down the Shuttle XS35GT-V2 route, but you'll find postings on Zotac & range of other clients, slim & otherwise.

Good luck and good hunting..