[eskro]

chunky = pricey?

[PtolemyIV]

Yes, it is much better IMHO than any Atom-based offering for an HTPC.

I bought two sticks of GeIL 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 RAM. It's probably overkill though, and you would be perfectly fine with 2GB of RAM. I just went with the extra 2GB since it didn't add much to the overall cost. Also, the video memory on the ND22 is shared (up to 512MB), though that doesn't seem to be an issue at all judging from the reviews.

For the SSD I went with a 40GB Mushkin Enhanced Callisto Deluxe. I won't need more than 40GB since I'll be streaming virtually all content from my NAS.

Great, thanks a lot for your input - think I'm going to follow your lead... considering getting:

1. ND22 ([url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/237146
[/url])

2. Ram:
2x Corsair 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Laptop Memory SO-DIMM Unbuffered Non-ECC
(http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191211) - this will work and just downspeed to 1066, correct? (its cheaper than http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164770 afterall!)

3. SSD:
OCZ Vertex 2 Series 40GB SATA II 2.5" SSD - £78 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/232639)
or
OCZ 60GB Agility 2E SSD 2.5 - £94 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/220398)

Just a shame SSD is so damn expensive, especially when I'll probably just run openelec.tv as a single OS... would booting off USB drive only be an unthinkable alternative?

If so, any thoughts on the SSD drive to go for? (never know may end up dual-booting windows + xbmc on linux, so >40gb min probably sensible)

[PtolemyIV]

chunky = pricey?

no physical size! the zotac's look pretty small in comparison to that psu alone unless i'm mistaken?

i really just want an htpc under the tv that is quiet, semi-discreet and capable of HD video to replace the ageing xbox1..

[eskro]

well if your looking for the really small form factor rather then power/price ratio,
i guess this suits your needs ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ND22 (£195.23 inc VAT + Free Shipping)

as SSD,
go with OCZ Onyx 32GB SSD 2.5" SATA-II (£52.65 inc VAT + Free Shipping)

as RAM,
i say 2GB (2x1GB) 204-pin SODIMM DDR3 1066Mhz CL7 (£19.19 inc VAT + Free Shipping)
or 4GB (2x2GB) 204-pin SODIMM DDR3 1066Mhz CL7 (£34.79 inc VAT + Free Shipping)

[MidnightWatcher]

2. Ram:
2x Corsair 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Laptop Memory SO-DIMM Unbuffered Non-ECC
(http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191211) - this will work and just downspeed to 1066, correct? (its cheaper than http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164770 afterall!)

Yeah I *think* the 1333 ram will work (just at 1066). If you can find 1066 with better timing (7-7-7-20 for example) I would recommend that instead of memory that operates at 9-9-9-24. Not sure if you'd really see any difference but it's generally better to go with CL7 over CL9.

3. SSD:
OCZ Vertex 2 Series 40GB SATA II 2.5" SSD - £78 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/232639)
or
OCZ 60GB Agility 2E SSD 2.5 - £94 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/220398)

Just a shame SSD is so damn expensive, especially when I'll probably just run openelec.tv as a single OS... would booting off USB drive only be an unthinkable alternative?

If so, any thoughts on the SSD drive to go for? (never know may end up dual-booting windows + xbmc on linux, so >40gb min probably sensible)

The Vertex 2 will be perfectly fine, and it costs less. It's super expensive for SSD drives but it's one heck of an improvement over regular HDDs when it comes to booting and browsing through your titles. If you want to dual boot Linux + Windows I'd say to get the 40GB SDD at a minimum.

[Harro]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...73006-L06B

on sale at newegg if anyone id interested 149 free shipping and 4 gig flash drive included

[eskro]

Memory Type Supported: DDR2 800

meh,, slow old school memory.....

[MidnightWatcher]

Nothing wrong with DDR2. It's the Radeon 3200 that I'd stay away from.

[eskro]

Nothing wrong with DDR2. It's the Radeon 3200 that I'd stay away from.

that too

[BLKMGK]

Zotac ND01

This is an HTPC for XBMC right? So why go nutz on RAM, clock speed, and other stuff? This box draws well under 30watts under full load. Playing high bitrate 1080P video using VDPAU acceleration my CPU doesn't crest 15% on either core. It does have an annoying blue LED for power, easily solved. Mine isn't too noisy IMO but the fan does run. I wouldn't sweat the SSD until the drive it comes with dies I have seen these units as low as $239 when NewEgg puts them on sale. They're an older model but run XBMc like a champ for me and for multiple friends. My ASROCK is also nice but DVD drive not needed and it costs more.

For a remote buy an MCE remote off of eBay. Pick one that is LIRC compatible. NewEgg sells these too for slightly more http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Boot and install from USB, done. XBMCFreak is what my appliance Zotac runs without issue. This need not be uber complex, I've never even crack the cases on my Zotac!

[PtolemyIV]

Okay guys, thanks for all your help - have now ordered:

Zotac ZBOX Nvidia ION, Celeron CULV SU2300 Barebone - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/237146
Crucial 2GB DDR3 1066MHz/PC3-8500 Laptop Memory SO-DIMM CL7 1.5V - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159916
OCZ 60GB Vertex 2E SSD 2.5" SATA-II Read = 285MB/s, Write = 275MB/s 50,000 IOPS - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225415

Went for the extended vertex 2 SSD but for £16 extra kind of made sense (unless it turns out I could have just reflashed the firmware on the 40gb one to extend it!!)

Any recommendations on MCE USB IR receiver? I do have a spare USB-UIRT but that doesn't seem to be easily supported in xbmc live or openelec.tv unless I'm mistaken.. (edit - just to clarify I have a harmony one i'll be using as a remote so an mce remote per se is not essential)

[NurdXP]

Okay guys, thanks for all your help - have now ordered:

Zotac ZBOX Nvidia ION, Celeron CULV SU2300 Barebone - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/237146
Crucial 2GB DDR3 1066MHz/PC3-8500 Laptop Memory SO-DIMM CL7 1.5V - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159916
OCZ 60GB Vertex 2E SSD 2.5" SATA-II Read = 285MB/s, Write = 275MB/s 50,000 IOPS - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225415

would i be able to play 1080p 3D stuff with this config? zotac never mentions HDMI-type they use

[Davothediv]

I'm thinking of moving from popcorn hour (yamj/nmj) over to XBMC, purely because the interface looks amazing.

I have 1000+ hd movies (720/1080) most with DTS audio. Is there a machine/box that will play my content as well as popcorn c-200?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[PatrickVogeli]

would i be able to play 1080p 3D stuff with this config? zotac never mentions HDMI-type they use

No 3D for this, sorry. Neither ION or ION 2 support 3D content playback, only product with nvidia 4xx Series (at least, the gt 425 and gt 430 do, I suppose the higher end models do it too).

[tboooe]

I don't have the ND22 yet but I've already ordered one and it should be here by the weekend, hopefully.

From what I've read fan noise is near silent when watching movies and using the ION GPU to hardware accelerate the video. The fan would only become noticeable when the system is under heavy load (such as during any gaming, which I won't do). Additionally, I'll be mounting it behind my HDTV in the bedroom and using the Official XBMC Remote for Android, which will help to obscure any fan noise, and will also be using an SSD which will keep the box cooler without using a regular HDD.

I won't be using the built-in wireless N since I am using two routers. The router that the ND22 will be connected to will be acting as a repeater, so the wireless question is moot for me.

I would love to get your feedback on the ZOTAC once you have had a chance to set it up.

Regarding wireless N, I am thinking of also adding a repeater since I have a few devices in my entertainment center that needs internet/network connection. Do you mind if I ask what repeater you are using? My main wireless router is a Linksys E3000. Thank you...