Hardware dilemna.

ehor · 27th April 2011, 11:35 AM

Hey guys,
Just after your opinions/thoughts/expertise

Basically I have a C2D 775 CPU + 2GB DDR2 + PSU + 74GB Raptor sitting around.

For similar price (about $1 difference IIRC) I have 2 options.

Option 1.
miniITX Board
2GB DDR3
ATi HD5450 GPU
Cube style Aywun case

Option 2.
mATX Board
*existing 2GB DDR2*
*existing PSU*
ATi HD5450
Silverstone Slimline case

Which route would you go?
Does DDR3 make a big difference in HTPC?
I like the slimline of the Silverstone SL03 but the miniITX size is tempting.

Fishface · 27th April 2011, 1:36 PM

I assume that option 1 includes a CPU somewhere. I don't know of very many ITX LGA775 MBs.

DDR3 will make so little difference that it won't be noticable.

ITX is appealing because of the size but it does tend to be more expensive. I would go with option 2 and make use of the parts you already have.

In the future there will be more ITX stuff around that is cheaper and better so perhaps upgrade then.

Decromin · 27th April 2011, 2:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehor

Hey guys,
74GB Raptor
Which route would you go?

I'd go the "I think the Raptor is going to be too hot, too loud and too small for HTPC duties, especially if I want to use it as a PVR" route.

ehor · 27th April 2011, 2:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishface

I assume that option 1 includes a CPU somewhere. I don't know of very many ITX LGA775 MBs.

DDR3 will make so little difference that it won't be noticable.

ITX is appealing because of the size but it does tend to be more expensive. I would go with option 2 and make use of the parts you already have.

In the future there will be more ITX stuff around that is cheaper and better so perhaps upgrade then.

Yeah both option would be using the 775 CPU I currently have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decromin

I'd go the "I think the Raptor is going to be too hot, too loud and too small for HTPC duties, especially if I want to use it as a PVR" route.

No PVR duties as it won't even have a tuner in it.

Video stuff will be streamed via gigabit ethernet from a NAS. The too hot/loud does worry me though :\

The case I'm thinking about is the ML03
http://www.silverstonetek.com/produc...pno=ML03&area=

EDIT: Thanks for the feedback/thoughts

27th April 2011, 11:35 AM	#1
ehor Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: ftp://2114.syd.nsw.au Posts: 2,523	Hardware dilemna. Hey guys, Just after your opinions/thoughts/expertise Basically I have a C2D 775 CPU + 2GB DDR2 + PSU + 74GB Raptor sitting around. For similar price (about $1 difference IIRC) I have 2 options. Option 1. miniITX Board 2GB DDR3 ATi HD5450 GPU Cube style Aywun case Option 2. mATX Board existing 2GB DDR2 existing PSU ATi HD5450 Silverstone Slimline case Which route would you go? Does DDR3 make a big difference in HTPC? I like the slimline of the Silverstone SL03 but the miniITX size is tempting. __________________ http://www.edwardhor.com

27th April 2011, 1:36 PM	#2
Fishface Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,593	I assume that option 1 includes a CPU somewhere. I don't know of very many ITX LGA775 MBs. DDR3 will make so little difference that it won't be noticable. ITX is appealing because of the size but it does tend to be more expensive. I would go with option 2 and make use of the parts you already have. In the future there will be more ITX stuff around that is cheaper and better so perhaps upgrade then.