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katwax
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So what would be the better option, to buy a barebone like Shuttle XS35GT / ZOTAC ZBOXHD-ID11 (any other?) or build it myself?
Because it has to be near my tv the shuttle seems better because it has no fans.
Btw don't get me wrong I'm not a windows hater, I earn my living as a microsoft system engineer, but windows isn't made with as main purpose to play video and xbmc live is.
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eskro
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2011-03-16, 23:36
(This post was last modified: 2011-03-16, 23:40 by eskro.)
no issues in playing movies under win7 here...
not at all...
i always suggest "users who are able to"
to build their own HTPC...
those who dont want to take that plunge i suggest a pre-built NETTOP...
just make sure which OS u wanna run because,
this will obviously affect which system you'll buy...
Like dont mix ATI + LINUX...
it'll give you HeadAches....
and drivers aren't officially out...
there's custom drivers that open source community is trying to put up but,
like i said, i suggest u dont mix ATI + LINUX together for now....
NVIDIA graphics are the way to go for LINUX....
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katwax
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I don't mean windows 7 can't play video, but it's like buying a ferrari and never go behind second gear. If you would like to have a device that plays video, games, surf the net, streaming, ... it's great, but i only need it to play videos.
So could I built one for the same price as a nettop (yes I looked at your post) with better specs?
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katwax
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options:
XS35GT Atom D510 BK NM10
Kingston HyperX 2 GB DDR2-800
OCZ Solid-State Disk 2,5" 30 GB
380 euro
Antec SK 310-150 Mini ITX
ASUS AT5IONT-I Deluxe
Kingston ValueRAM DIMM 2 GB DDR3
OCZ Solid-State Disk 2,5" 30 GB
390 euro
Antec SK 310-150 Mini ITX
ASUS AT5NM10-I
Kingston HyperX 2 GB DDR2-800
OCZ Solid-State Disk 2,5" 30 GB
EVGA GeForce GT 440
267 euro
The last one is not ion based, but it's a GT440 so it's better than ion2? Would it be better to take ASUS EN210 Silent/DI instead of the GT 440 because the 440 has a fan and the 210 hasn't.
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eskro
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your GT440 build doesnt work,,,,
were will u fit that video card on that motherboard?
Also, u plan in using Linux or WIndows?
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eskro
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your mobo needs at least one PCI EXPRESS 2.0 x16 slot....
get a gt210 if u dont need to play 3d movies and bitstream hd audio
get a gt430 if u need to play 3d movies and bitstream hd audio
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katwax
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It's hard to find a mobo with atom cpu and pci express 2.0 x16 it seems, only have the asus AT5IONT-I deluxe or the ASRock A330ION.
So it seems I have to go with atom and ion(2) or no atom and GT210.
Why would you prefer the custom asus over the shuttle?
Will I notice any advantage with the asus vs the asrock, if i only use it to play video?