HTPC build... ion or not?

[Shyatic]

Size isn't an issue, as I'm going with a Micro ATX case (at the minimum).

I am debating on getting the ION2 board from Asus, with a dual core atom and 2GB of RAM. From Newegg, it will run me $180+$25 (RAM).

My goal is to have a quiet HTPC that is versatile as possible. A little extra noise won't kill me, but I don't want a jet engine either. I need HDMI out, and I need an open PCIe slot for a Ceton Cablecard reader. It's why I would prefer having onboard graphics.

I will be doing Bluray, Netflix, YouTube, web surfing and possibly some low-end games.

I'm open for suggestions, and the price above is reasonable to me, but if I can go cheaper and have more options or stay in the same range with more options or speed, then I'd prefer that.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[ultimatedesk]

I think at that price point, you've pretty much nailed it - it'll work just great.

Personally, for a "versatile" HTPC, I would probably go with a Core i3 and H55 motherboard, as that will give me the possibility to go for more power in the future, and also add a much higher level of versatility because of the extra power (Games, for sure at least).

I think in Canadian dollars, an i3 goes for $120, and an H55 motherboard around $80, so it's not an extraordinary leap in budget.

The onboard video for i3/H55 combo is supposedly capable of playing high-def video without an issue, and you can always throw in a PCI Express dedicated video card and still have room for your Cable Card.

 

[mnewsham]

I think at that price point, you've pretty much nailed it - it'll work just great.

Personally, for a "versatile" HTPC, I would probably go with a Core i3 and H55 motherboard, as that will give me the possibility to go for more power in the future, and also add a much higher level of versatility because of the extra power (Games, for sure at least).

I think in Canadian dollars, an i3 goes for $120, and an H55 motherboard around $80, so it's not an extraordinary leap in budget.

The onboard video for i3/H55 combo is supposedly capable of playing high-def video without an issue, and you can always throw in a PCI Express dedicated video card and still have room for your Cable Card.

A very good suggestion, if OP isnt building for awhile he might be able to hold of until the SB problems have gone away pick up an H67 MB and an i3-2100 the IGP should be sufficient for HTPC work without needing a dedicated GPU and with a low TDP.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You might read the reviews of the ASRock ion-based mini PCs on the main AnandTech website to see the limitations. The most recent system was Ion2 + blu-ray so you can read about how well that works,

If you want to be able to rent HD content from iTunes or Amazon they recommend at least a 2 GHz dual-core Athlon or Core 2, the Atom is much slower than that.

Games: the Atom is about as fast as a 1.6 GHz Pentium 4 and the Ion is a very low-end GPU, so don't expect to play anything in 3D. Old 2D games from GoG.com and maybe some simpler Flash games are what it can manage.

If you accept the limitations, Atom+Ion2 is a decent choice.

 

[wirednuts]

i think the new amd is where its at. should be out on the market very soon

http://www.techpowerup.com/137766/A...razos-Powered-E35MI-I-Deluxe-Motherboard.html

 

[IGemini]

^^This. Brazos is supposed to perform on par or better with ION2 while being much cheaper.

 

[Shyatic]

What about something in the AMD arena? The i3 advice seems good to me, it's ~$20 difference for a lot more expandability on the board itself -- especially if I want a dedicated GPU. For the interim I won't need it at all, but later on I would definitely consider it.

That said, anything recommended in the AMD arena, that isn't ITX?

 

[Shyatic]

A very good suggestion, if OP isnt building for awhile he might be able to hold of until the SB problems have gone away pick up an H67 MB and an i3-2100 the IGP should be sufficient for HTPC work without needing a dedicated GPU and with a low TDP.

What are "SB" problems? And I'm not building it out tomorrow.. the i3 idea seems like a good one to me given the cost and expandability.

 

[mnewsham]

Sandy bridge if you haven't heard has a problem with the new 6 series chipset, causing the sata2 ports to fail after 3 years. The sata 3 ports are not effected, the fix should come in march or april.

 

[wirednuts]

What about something in the AMD arena? The i3 advice seems good to me, it's ~$20 difference for a lot more expandability on the board itself -- especially if I want a dedicated GPU. For the interim I won't need it at all, but later on I would definitely consider it.

That said, anything recommended in the AMD arena, that isn't ITX?

this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...W5Y30D02XN1Z1J

 

[Shyatic]

this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...W5Y30D02XN1Z1J

And pair it with what motherboard?

 

[mnewsham]

That athalon provides 1/2 the performance of the i3-2100 for roughly the same price (the new i3's are expected to be around 120-140)

 

[Shyatic]

That athalon provides 1/2 the performance of the i3-2100 for roughly the same price (the new i3's are expected to be around 120-140)

The SB i3s?

What's the ETA on those nowadays?

 

[mnewsham]

The SB i3s?

What's the ETA on those nowadays?

it WAS februrary 20th for the CPU with the 6 series Chipset problem i would assume it will come out when they release the new motherboards so around april would be my guess.

 

[Zap]

Size isn't an issue, as I'm going with a Micro ATX case (at the minimum).

I am debating on getting the ION2 board from Asus, with a dual core atom and 2GB of RAM. From Newegg, it will run me $180+$25 (RAM).

Atom/ION was great for really tiny or low power builds and when there wasn't any competition. With the new AMD stuff coming out (like wirednuts posted) unless you need it TODAY, best bet is to look forward to the new stuff. Alternately since you aren't limited to mini ITX, you can get a low end dual core AMD Athlon II CPU with a higher end micro ATX motherboard. Won't be as power miserly as the Atom/ION, but will be cheaper and capable of much better performance if necessary.

 

[mnewsham]

Atom/ION was great for really tiny or low power builds and when there wasn't any competition. With the new AMD stuff coming out (like wirednuts posted) unless you need it TODAY, best bet is to look forward to the new stuff. Alternately since you aren't limited to mini ITX, you can get a low end dual core AMD Athlon II CPU with a higher end micro ATX motherboard. Won't be as power miserly as the Atom/ION, but will be cheaper and capable of much better performance if necessary.

if you are already spending money on an athlon II and an mATX board then might as well make the small jump up to sandy bridge if you can wait.

 

[Shyatic]

if you are already spending money on an athlon II and an mATX board then might as well make the small jump up to sandy bridge if you can wait.

Yea, I'm not in a rush so I will wait until it comes out. In the meanwhile if there are some sales, I'll probably pick up the other components as I need to.

 

[jorken]

I went back and forth on this a few month ago and ended up with an i3/H55 combo in an ITX package. No complaints whatsoever, plays everything I throw at it and gives me some overhead if/when i need it.

 

[ElFenix]

if you are already spending money on an athlon II and an mATX board then might as well make the small jump up to sandy bridge if you can wait.

i dunno, from the prices posted it looks like it's 2x as much for an SB processor +board as an a2+board. the a2+board really isn't much more than a brazos setup from what i've read of brazos.

edit: the asus zacate board on newegg is listed at US$140. granted it's asus and says 'pro' in the name so it's likely on the high side of things in both features and price. a2 and board can be had at under US$100.

 

[mnewsham]

i dunno, from the prices posted it looks like it's 2x as much for an SB processor +board as an a2+board. the a2+board really isn't much more than a brazos setup from what i've read of brazos.

mATX 1155 board $110 SB i3-2100 ~$130=~$240

mATX AM2 board ~$80 AMD CPU $139= ~220

For HTPC use you want low TDP for cooling and for PSU requirements


The i3-2100 has a 65Watt TDP while the i3-2100T has a 35watt TDP with an estimated cost of $120-$150

 

[mfenn]

mATX 1155 board $110 SB i3-2100 ~$130=~$240

mATX AM2 board ~$80 AMD CPU $139= ~220

For HTPC use you want low TDP for cooling and for PSU requirements


The i3-2100 has a 65Watt TDP while the i3-2100T has a 35watt TDP with an estimated cost of $120-$150

Option 3:
Athlon II X2 255 $63 + 880G mobo $60 = $123

Sure, the TDP on the 255 is 50% high than the 605, but you realistically never going to see that while performing HTPC tasks.