Everex gPC Mini - Almost perfect for XBMC?

Everex announced a new gPC computer:
http://www.techworldspace.com/2008/02/26...-mac-mini/

The specs seems perfect for XBMC. It will definitely run 720p. Need to check about 1080p. Could be that 512MB would even be enough.

Worth considering...

-Yuval

maybe enuff for 720p with a little offloading onto gpu

Seems very interesting. Will probably never reach sweden though

i was just wondering, both the Mac Mini and now this gPC run on a Mobile-CPU Dualcore @ 1,86Ghz..

but as mentioned in the forums a couple of times is that for a steady 1080p playback a 2,6ghz or even better a 3ghz is needed.. so i was wondering is this really a 'perfect' system for XBMC? i mean, is expected that in the future GPU-Based decoding (even on a Graphics Media Accelerator GMA950) would be powerfull enough so a 1,8Ghz DualCore could run HD-Content (1080p)? Both PC's have limited expansion possibility's and no possibility to add a graphicscard or hd-tvtuner.. Maybe not as important but it doesnt contain a HDMI-Out.. so you'd always be dealing with seperate DVI + Audio cables.

By the way... correct me if i'm wrong and playing 1080p is not a criterium of XBMC-Linux.. I know HD is a criterium.. but dont know if 720p of 1080p is meant..

It sure is a nice concept, very small and quiet.. but bit expensive though.. for 300euro its possible to build a e8400 based system.. not as pretty and quiet.. but still.. well i'm just still deciding what to buy and i'm leaning towards starting of with a 300euro system based on e8400 which should be pretty future-proof..

This post is not meant to 'bash' these systems because i think its the beginning of something very nice (small, quiet, relitivaly fast) but still i think they are not yet powerfull enough to be future proof and still lack some important HTPC-Specs..

My TV is only capable of 720p so it would be good for me but it might have to little oomph for 1080p.

I want a quiet one and a small one is a must, otherwise it just doesn't fit in my stereo capinet, Didn't messuare it before I bought it

Razor_109 Wrote:i was wondering is this really a 'perfect' system for XBMC? i mean, is expected that in the future GPU-Based decoding (even on a Graphics Media Accelerator GMA950) would be powerfull enough so a 1,8Ghz DualCore could run HD-Content (1080p)?

No, I think that Yuval was refering to 'perfect for a low-end' machine for 720p playback. Some people only own a 720p capable TV/display while others may think that 720p to 1080p upscaling is good enough, so it could be perfect for those people.

You will note that the Everex gPC has a 1.86GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core Mobile Processor T2130.
While the Mac Mini has a more modern 1.86GHz Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor T5500.

Personally I am still hoping that Apple will release a Mac Mini update before the summer.

AOpen MiniPC MP965-DR barabone is another contender
http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/

More expensive but support Inel 45nm Penryn CPU (the latest Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor)
http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/news/20080110.htm
http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/rcl.htm

Or for the DIY. I've been eyeballing these, although they are IMPOSSIBLE to find in sweden
Albatron KI690-AM2
And the Silverstone lc-09
Combine that with a reasonable fast AM2 processor and that's quite a machine.

Here's what I wish I'd gone with - an XPC. They have a couple of models capable of handling the 775 (another) and at least one has an overclocked 45nm E8400 running 4Ghz from what I've found reading various forums. We don't need that kind of speed but hey it might be nice to have anyway The video would probably have to be disabled and an 8500GT used but these are pretty nice boxes with a fairly small form factor. I have a few of them here that are older models and I really like them - slap them in a carrying case, sling it over your shoulder, and goto someone's house to play games or video on it. Sadly the ones I have are probably not near fast enough for XBMC to run 1080 which is my desired target. <shrug> All added up I paid more than that for my XBMC machine, I kick myself for it too. I may buy one to process video on and I'm pondering a Mini for my small upstairs TV. I too would like to see a refresh done on the Mini, they just bumped the MBP so maybe come next Tuesday we'll get a surprise

Keep the little PC ideas coming, if nothing it's interesting to see what all is ouot there!

BLKMGK Wrote:Keep the little PC ideas coming, if nothing it's interesting to see what all is ouot there!

+1 for little PC ideas!

Speaking of little ideas, I found a site that sells flash disk modules from 256MB to 8GB. A 2gig IDE model is only about 70 bucks. It looks to be about as big as your thumb (well, my thumb anyway) and plugs right into the IDE slot (SATA is available too). Does this seem like a good way to reduce boot times and eliminate HDD noise and power consumption (assuming you only need a streamer without storage)?

Would 2GB be enough for the OS and XBMC?