2009-12-03, 07:31
Hi guys, this is my first post here. I've finally gotten fed-up with Sony dragging its feet on implementing new codec support for the PS3 (I also really dislike their media browsing interface) and have decided to spend this holiday season getting an XBMC media streaming system set up. Here are some of my requirements in order of priority:
1) No bigger than ps3 in terms of total volume. This pretty much makes ion ideal since it's mini-itx.
2) Quiet
3) Expandability. I don't have money for an SSD or a slimline blu-ray drive at the moment, but would like to be able to add it to my system when I have the cash.
4) Price < $500
Some other details:
1) I have another system connected to my home network acting as a file server to store media. Home network is wired.
2) I don't need a cable card/tv tuner. I plan to only watch movies and tv series I rip to my media server.
3) I have 2.5" hard drives and 3.5" hard drives that can be used in the system.
4) Large storage is not needed, I have a media server for that.
5) I would like to dual boot a ubuntu parition for running xbmc and a windows 7 partition for basic tasks/playing older videogames (I already have an extra copy of windows 7, no point in counting that toward my price limit).
That said, I have been considering a few options:
1) Acer Aspire Revo w/ Atom 330, 2GB DDR2, ION
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...vo%20R3610
- Apparently this system runs very quiet. However, I have had a hard time finding out what temperatures this sytem runs at. I'm kind of surprised they can keep it cool in a box this small.
- This system doesn't have any optical drives, but I guess that I could still play them on my ps3, though I am looking at trying to migrate all of its functions to my xbmc system and possibly sell it.
- I already have OS and hard drives.
- Not a fan of the looks.
2) Asrock Ion 330
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
- Good looking in my opinion.
- Upgradeable. Hard drive and slim drive can be swapped out. Ram can be replaced.
- The main thing that worries me is that there have been a lot of reports that the chipset fan is very loud which worries me and is what's ultimately pushing me towards my third option.
3) Custom Built
Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811129068
- Good looking, but expensive.
- Decent cooling (room for two 80 mm fans).
- Small relative to most mini-itx cases.
- If anyone has other case suggestions, let me know please.
Motherboard/CPU/GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
- Apparently this ion motherboard comes with an integrated power supply.
- Passively cooled.
Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820134193
- I miss cheap ddr2 ram
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Any advice that you guys can provide regarding which of these options you think is best is appreciated.
1) No bigger than ps3 in terms of total volume. This pretty much makes ion ideal since it's mini-itx.
2) Quiet
3) Expandability. I don't have money for an SSD or a slimline blu-ray drive at the moment, but would like to be able to add it to my system when I have the cash.
4) Price < $500
Some other details:
1) I have another system connected to my home network acting as a file server to store media. Home network is wired.
2) I don't need a cable card/tv tuner. I plan to only watch movies and tv series I rip to my media server.
3) I have 2.5" hard drives and 3.5" hard drives that can be used in the system.
4) Large storage is not needed, I have a media server for that.
5) I would like to dual boot a ubuntu parition for running xbmc and a windows 7 partition for basic tasks/playing older videogames (I already have an extra copy of windows 7, no point in counting that toward my price limit).
That said, I have been considering a few options:
1) Acer Aspire Revo w/ Atom 330, 2GB DDR2, ION
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...vo%20R3610
- Apparently this system runs very quiet. However, I have had a hard time finding out what temperatures this sytem runs at. I'm kind of surprised they can keep it cool in a box this small.
- This system doesn't have any optical drives, but I guess that I could still play them on my ps3, though I am looking at trying to migrate all of its functions to my xbmc system and possibly sell it.
- I already have OS and hard drives.
- Not a fan of the looks.
2) Asrock Ion 330
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
- Good looking in my opinion.
- Upgradeable. Hard drive and slim drive can be swapped out. Ram can be replaced.
- The main thing that worries me is that there have been a lot of reports that the chipset fan is very loud which worries me and is what's ultimately pushing me towards my third option.
3) Custom Built
Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811129068
- Good looking, but expensive.
- Decent cooling (room for two 80 mm fans).
- Small relative to most mini-itx cases.
- If anyone has other case suggestions, let me know please.
Motherboard/CPU/GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
- Apparently this ion motherboard comes with an integrated power supply.
- Passively cooled.
Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820134193
- I miss cheap ddr2 ram
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Any advice that you guys can provide regarding which of these options you think is best is appreciated.
