Help me decide: A6-PACK or i3-PACK

(2012-05-04 17:10)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-05-04 03:56)Riskey Wrote:  Well, since this is purely an htpc, and from what I've seen; the A6 seems to meet my needs speed wise...the best chip will be the one that runs cooler and quieter, and which one runs on OpenELEC better (in that order of importance). I know that Nvidia graphics are the best on OpenELEC, but I want small and quiet - so discreet graphics don't seem like the best option. It's sounding more and more like I'll end up going the Windows route. Although maybe I'll just build the 6-pack and then see how it runs OpenELEC. If it sucks THEN I'll buy Windows.

As far as noise and power consumption, A6 and i3 should be very similar. The major different is i3 being more powerful and more expensive....as for OpenElec, i3 have the upper hand too, and here is a great thread for it- Simplified Guide for a perfect minimal HTPC on INTEL platforms

That's exactly the type of guide that freaks me out about linux. Would all that stuff just "work" with OpenELEC? This actually steers me towards Windows.

(2012-05-04 07:28)Dougie Fresh Wrote:  Get the A6-3500 and spend the money saved over the i3-2105 on a bigger SSD and three beers

Actually.... It looks like I'll be spending that money on a stinkin' copy of Windows. BTW, I saw someone post a link recently to a copy of Win 7 home 64bit for $68 dollars, but for the life of me can't find that post again. It was like "snagit.com" or something like that (but not that). Anyone know where to get windows for that price?

(2012-05-04 20:57)Riskey Wrote:  

(2012-05-04 17:10)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-05-04 03:56)Riskey Wrote:  Well, since this is purely an htpc, and from what I've seen; the A6 seems to meet my needs speed wise...the best chip will be the one that runs cooler and quieter, and which one runs on OpenELEC better (in that order of importance). I know that Nvidia graphics are the best on OpenELEC, but I want small and quiet - so discreet graphics don't seem like the best option. It's sounding more and more like I'll end up going the Windows route. Although maybe I'll just build the 6-pack and then see how it runs OpenELEC. If it sucks THEN I'll buy Windows.

As far as noise and power consumption, A6 and i3 should be very similar. The major different is i3 being more powerful and more expensive....as for OpenElec, i3 have the upper hand too, and here is a great thread for it- Simplified Guide for a perfect minimal HTPC on INTEL platforms

That's exactly the type of guide that freaks me out about linux. Would all that stuff just "work" with OpenELEC? This actually steers me towards Windows.

(2012-05-04 07:28)Dougie Fresh Wrote:  Get the A6-3500 and spend the money saved over the i3-2105 on a bigger SSD and three beers

Actually.... It looks like I'll be spending that money on a stinkin' copy of Windows. BTW, I saw someone post a link recently to a copy of Win 7 home 64bit for $68 dollars, but for the life of me can't find that post again. It was like "snagit.com" or something like that (but not that). Anyone know where to get windows for that price?

With openelec it will just work for almost everything, maybe a little tweaking but just as much as windows would take. That guide was more for people wanting to do everything themselves. It was based around a fresh install of ubuntu.

On my old ion box installing openelec to a clean harddrive to having everything working is only about 30 minutes for me.

(2012-05-04 20:57)Riskey Wrote:  

(2012-05-04 17:10)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-05-04 03:56)Riskey Wrote:  Well, since this is purely an htpc, and from what I've seen; the A6 seems to meet my needs speed wise...the best chip will be the one that runs cooler and quieter, and which one runs on OpenELEC better (in that order of importance). I know that Nvidia graphics are the best on OpenELEC, but I want small and quiet - so discreet graphics don't seem like the best option. It's sounding more and more like I'll end up going the Windows route. Although maybe I'll just build the 6-pack and then see how it runs OpenELEC. If it sucks THEN I'll buy Windows.

As far as noise and power consumption, A6 and i3 should be very similar. The major different is i3 being more powerful and more expensive....as for OpenElec, i3 have the upper hand too, and here is a great thread for it- Simplified Guide for a perfect minimal HTPC on INTEL platforms

That's exactly the type of guide that freaks me out about linux. Would all that stuff just "work" with OpenELEC? This actually steers me towards Windows.

If you are planning to use XBMC only, OpenElec might be your best free solution. Since it have less options than Windows, everything will be faster than Windows too.......

Since it is lack of bitstreaming HD audio support, streaming Netflix and surfing the net, it's not for me......

(2012-05-04 20:57)Riskey Wrote:  

(2012-05-04 07:28)Dougie Fresh Wrote:  Get the A6-3500 and spend the money saved over the i3-2105 on a bigger SSD and three beers

Actually.... It looks like I'll be spending that money on a stinkin' copy of Windows. BTW, I saw someone post a link recently to a copy of Win 7 home 64bit for $68 dollars, but for the life of me can't find that post again. It was like "snagit.com" or something like that (but not that). Anyone know where to get windows for that price?

That would be me- post #10. It's not in original package. I bought one copy from them and it is Windows 7 for Dell, but it is Windows 7 64-bit with keys included......it work great for me!

Yeah, that was it...Snagstuff.com. Honesly, I think the only thing I would miss is the HD Audio. I prefer to watch netflix on my Apple TV. How is the netflix experience in Windows? Is it remote friendly? Do you use XBMC flicks or is there some sort of stand alone? (Other than just thru a web browser)

This is all I could find on using the A6 with OpenELEC...Doesn't sound good. But maybe the beta 3 is better.

http://openelec.tv/forum/117-xvba-amd/32...th-a6-3500

That post says he's using the Generic Build of beta 2. I'm not sure why you'd use the Generic build when there is a specific AMD Fusion Build... I'm guessing that may be his issue with the smoothness?

Well according to the Beta 3 release page....

"Llano A support removed from Fusion builds
To optimise Fusion builds for AMD Fusion HTPCs we removed Llano “A” support from Fusion builds. If you have a Llano “A” system please use the “Generic” image."

http://openelec.tv/component/k2/item/243...3-released

Yes, but that is as of Beta 3, Beta 2, where he is having problems in the post you linked to still had that support in the Fusion build and not in the generic build. He should have been using the Fusion build where all the support was built in. As of Beta 3, yes, the correct build is the Generic Build where they moved the support and drivers to.

(2012-05-05 10:10)Mick1152 Wrote:  Yes, but that is as of Beta 3, Beta 2, where he is having problems in the post you linked to still had that support in the Fusion build and not in the generic build. He should have been using the Fusion build where all the support was built in. As of Beta 3, yes, the correct build is the Generic Build where they moved the support and drivers to.

Fusion will produce a black screen on Beta 2, so generic is the only option. I will test Beta3 when I have a chance, but I don't expect any better results. I have also tried XBMCBuntu with the A6, and as soon as I install xvba, the menus are choppy just like they are on OE.

Basically as it is right now, do not purchase an A6 and expect to have OE working perfectly any time soon. No one on the OE forum seems to be running A processors, and the fact that they only work with the generic build means the developers aren't using it either.

On a different note... the A6-3500 absolutely murders xbmc in Windows . Seeking is insanely quick over the network, and sql with remote thumbnails load so quickly they feel almost like they're local. Only problems that I have are the lack of libshairport (full airplay) in Windows, and a sleep bug which I've been fighting/working around for almost 2 years. (http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=69245)

All in all, very nice system for the $$, but full airplay support has me always going back to linux (shairplay4w works but there are some problems when streaming over wireless).

knewknow, good information thanks! I am using Windows on both my systems but was thinking about OE for another system... didn't really find any information about problems so figured all must be good. Just went by the notes in the releases saying it was supported.