Mini-ITX HTPC

chippy08

chippy08

chippy08

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21 Sep 2008
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Hi guys what you think to this build Will the 120watt psu be enough to run it ok

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.33GHz 4MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail & FREE In Win BP655 Mini ITX Case

Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX WiFi Mini-ITX (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard [GF9300-D-E]


Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel (KHX8500D2K2/4G) [KHX8500D2K2/4G] Which i already have and also i have 500gig sata drive and DVD drive.

or should i get the Asrock Nvidia ION 330 1.60GHz Dual Core DDR2 System ?
 
That case (the free BP655) has a 200W PSU and will happily run that system. In fact, i'm doing that just now :D

I really wouldn't go for the ION unless you REALLY want a low energy system. Otherwise, the Q8200 option costs the same, but is orders of magnitude faster.
 
+1

and if you do go Ion, ditch 2Gb of the RAM and drop it in another system. Though bear in mind with getting a Q8200 you might want to grab an Arctic Cooling Freezer low profile as well to cool it wth
 
I was about to post the exact same question! Sorry to half-hijack the thread, but would the temps from an E5300 2.6Ghz dual core be manageable in a small mini-itx case? I don't want too much noise so would like it as close to silent as poss
 
aleco said:
I was about to post the exact same question! Sorry to half-hijack the thread, but would the temps from an E5300 2.6Ghz dual core be manageable in a small mini-itx case? I don't want too much noise so would like it as close to silent as poss
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You should be fine for temps (even using the stock cooler) - but silence will be tricky.

You will probably want to find a third-party CPU cooler that is quiet enough and will fit in the case. You will also want to look at some reviews for the case you want and see how loud the PSU fan is. One option would be to get an external power supply system (like the XBOX 360 one), but you will need to make sure you have enough power (about 120W for the zotac + e5300 + 1 HDD + 1 optical drive + 2 fans should be fine) and your case can accommodate it.
 
Hmm could be a challenge! I'll have a look at cases then perhaps start a thread on it for further advice later.

Actually I just noticed the OP was referring to a quad core, not a dual like the one I was after - does the advice on going for the non-Ion system still stand? (would be used as dual-tuner digital tv watching/recording and iplayer/HD playback)
 
Thanks guys i do want to try to keep electric cost down as my electric bill keeps going up but i think thats due to my recent upgrade to an 17 920 system. but i still want performance.
Im using the WDTV at the moment and im fed up of having to convert sound and inages to .iso so i want the beauty of being able to play anythink without the hassle.
 
aleco said:
Hmm could be a challenge! I'll have a look at cases then perhaps start a thread on it for further advice later.

Actually I just noticed the OP was referring to a quad core, not a dual like the one I was after - does the advice on going for the non-Ion system still stand? (would be used as dual-tuner digital tv watching/recording and iplayer/HD playback)
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Yes. Particularly if you want to watch iPlayer (or other web-based repeat players from the main UK TV channels). The reason is that they all use Flash and that is not accelerated by the Ion GPU. So you're having to use the low power atom for the playback = not good.

A low speed dual-core (E1nnn or E2nnn series even) will significantly out-perform an atom in Flash playback.
 
I'd try onboard ones out first, If you need a graphics card you can always buy one later (whereas if you buy it and don't need it you're out of ~£50)
 
can someone confirm this board Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX WiFi Mini-ITX (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard [GF9300-D-E]
will take a qaud core processer as i read it the info below

Although the board is small you can install any Socket 775 processor, right up to a Core 2 Extreme.
 
I'm in a similar position at the moment.

I got the BP655 free with my Q9550 and now have a spare e7200. I'm trying to decide whether to go for an ion / atom setup or use the e7200 with a Zotac 9300.

The system will be for streaming hd content from a NAS to WMC through Windows 7, as well as watching / recording TV through a DVB-S/S2 card. I'll also pop a Blu-Ray drive in there. Only thing pushing me towards the Atom really is that I'd like it as quiet as possible.
 
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I would definitely go for the zotac 9300/ e7200 option.

ION is low power and plays blu-rays and all - but if it runs into anything vaugly Hi-Def and non-GPU accelerated - it fails. This includes some video formats and all online videos (Iplayer/youtube/itv player etc.). HD online video specifically (like Iplayer HD) need a good amount of CPU grunt to get working - an ion can't cut it, a Core 2 Duo can.

Also, an ION board costs considerably more than the Zotac 9300 m-ITX s775 board.
 
cmndr_andi said:
I would definitely go for the zotac 9300/ e7200 option.

ION is low power and plays blu-rays and all - but if it runs into anything vaugly Hi-Def and non-GPU accelerated - it fails. This includes some video formats and all online videos (Iplayer/youtube/itv player etc.). HD online video specifically (like Iplayer HD) need a good amount of CPU grunt to get working - an ion can't cut it, a Core 2 Duo can.

Also, an ION board costs considerably more than the Zotac 9300 m-ITX s775 board.
Click to expand...

I have gone for the qaud core offer with the free case but i might wait for the new Zotac GF9300 G-E before finishing the build.
 
Nice. Thanks for the info. I'll probably go with the e7200, possibly underclocked with an aftermarket hs to make it as quiet as possible. I'll probably replace the 8cm fan that's currently in the In Win case.

Any idea when the GF9300 G-E will likely be available?
 
Bonjour said:
Nice. Thanks for the info. I'll probably go with the e7200, possibly underclocked with an aftermarket hs to make it as quiet as possible. I'll probably replace the 8cm fan that's currently in the In Win case.

Any idea when the GF9300 G-E will likely be available?
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Its already selling in america so i cant see it being long and as normal americans pay a lot less than us we always get ripped.
 
Whats the difference in the GE(expected) and the DE(current) for the Zotac 9300?

from the website i see one additional sata port, 3 instead of 2, is that the entire difference?
 
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