[jtap06]

Its more than big enough to use for the OS and xbmc if your data is going to live on a NAS.

I read on the Newegg reviews that some owners experienced problems when using as a boot drive, so I was a bit worried is all.

[Mavers]

I was on the fence on getting an core i3 I wish I would have done it. I had no idea I could have bought a cheapo video card that would have solved my problems. that would have been the ONLY thing making an i3 more expensive then my zotac setup.

-=Jason=-

Any particular reason why you wish you'd gone with the core i3?

[poofyhairguy]

Hello again! Would you recommend using this as the primary(OS) drive or a secondary drive and just put my XBMC files on it?

Yeah, that should be your primary OS where you keep the XBMC user data. That is how I do it.

Otherwise, there is really nothing else I can recommend. The only thing I ask is when it is put together have PICS please!

[gabbott]

Any particular reason why you wish you'd gone with the core i3?

Probably because of increased CPU power over an atom.

[poofyhairguy]

Probably because of increased CPU power over an atom.

By my testing a i3 is about four times as powerful as dual core Atom. Big difference for almost no difference in power consumption.

The problem with i3 is that Intel GPUs are terrible, so if you go the i3 route you HAVE TO get a dedicated GPU (preferably Nvidia) which means Micro ATX which means overall larger size.

For the ultimate XBMC box though, it is the perfect CPU....

[gabbott]

By my testing a i3 is about four times as powerful as dual core Atom. Big difference for almost no difference in power consumption.

The problem with i3 is that Intel GPUs are terrible, so if you go the i3 route you HAVE TO get a dedicated GPU (preferably Nvidia) which means Micro ATX which means overall larger size.

For the ultimate XBMC box though, it is the perfect CPU....

Yeah, I have heard that power consumption is very similar to an Atom. I've been looking for a reason to re-purpose one of my Revos as a test box.

[Mavers]

By my testing a i3 is about four times as powerful as dual core Atom. Big difference for almost no difference in power consumption.

The problem with i3 is that Intel GPUs are terrible, so if you go the i3 route you HAVE TO get a dedicated GPU (preferably Nvidia) which means Micro ATX which means overall larger size.

For the ultimate XBMC box though, it is the perfect CPU....

I understand that an ion system would struggle for flash applications, but what advantages would an i3 + GT 430 over an ion with GT430?

[spencers]

Hey poofyhairguy, did you get my PM?

[poofyhairguy]

Hey poofyhairguy, did you get my PM?

No, please resend.

[poofyhairguy]

I understand that an ion system would struggle for flash applications, but what advantages would an i3 + GT 430 over an ion with GT430?

We will soon find out. I have a GT430 on the way, and I plan to put it in all my boxes including my ION box that I built with the ability to upgrade the GPU. In my estimation for XBMC use there will be almost no differences but we will see....

[jtap06]

Hi! Could you please verify that the GT430 can fit inside here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundl...mbo.492748

I contacted a local hardware shop and they wanted me to verify that the video card and SSD would fit in the case properly.

Thanks!

[jtap06]

Darn, combo no longer available! Arrgh, you wouldn't happen to remember what was in there do you? I was literally like a half hour late.

[jtap06]

Darn, combo no longer available! Arrgh, you wouldn't happen to remember what was in there do you? I was literally like a half hour late.

Okay well i did manage to find out what was inside the combo by contacting NewEgg.

So just to be sure before I push this order now button:

Can this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814134121

Go onto this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128421

And fit inside of this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811112186

Thanks!

[Flomaster]

yes, card is low profile, mobo doesn't matter about profile, but case is low profile too thus the need for Low Profile cards

*PULL THAT TRIGGER*

and post build pics

-=Jason=-

[poofyhairguy]

That is the right case, mobo, and GPU.

Two decent combos:

Either use this to get a cheaper OS:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...mbo.533814

Or this to get a cheaper i3:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...mbo.541666

With either combo use the promo code "BFMB" at checkout and save a little more. You have to buy today though for it to work.

The person who builds it will have to use the included low profile brackets for the GPUs, but it will come together nicely.

Pics please!