jetway

A Little Help From My Friends

By on September 3, 2010 in Hardware, News, TV, Video

I need your help.  My current media player just does not cut it.  Why?  During my review of the Lenovo Q150 nettop/HTPC, I experienced a media setup on my TV like it should be, which I had not experienced previously.  Media streaming was actually quite good through a set of powerline adapters.  My wife, who is normally not a techie, could even see the benefit of a decent HTPC setup.

I *almost* bought the Lenovo Q150.  Almost…  Then I started thinking, why not build my own?  I’ve had this mini-ITX case that I have not had an opportunity to review, as I had no board to put in it. So, here I am and I would like a little help with my hardware choices.

What follows is a list of components that I have scoped out for an HTPC build.

No monitor needed and I have a spare keyboard/mouse that will only be needed for setup.  I plan on stealing my MC remote from my desktop, so I am covered there.  OS will be Windows 7 x64 Home Premium.  64 GB or 160GB is plenty big, as I will not be storing anything on it and there will be minimal software other than the OS on it.

For the hardware, the total costs for 3 variations are as follows:

  • MB, 4 gigs, SSD: $359.97
  • MB, 2 gigs, SSD: $319.97
  • MB, 4 gigs, HDD: $301.97

Once I have reviewed the case, I will have to scope out a replacement, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.  Keep in mind that I am trying to keep this somewhat close to the cost of the Q150, which is $359.99 at Newegg currently.  Also, those costs do not include a case, remote, keyboard, or OS.  hmmm…  Maybe I *should* just get the Q150, but it is simply much more fun to build your own.  Right?

So my questions are many:

  • Splurge and get it all now or which should I give up, the extra memory or the SSD?  Probably a dumb question…
  • Do you like my choices?  Should I get a D510 or 330 instead?  Hate G.Skill and have a better alternative?  Are you OK with the drives or do you have a better idea?
  • Just buy the Lenovo Q150?

I am going to order something this weekend, so feedback would be appreciated ASAP.  Convince me that I am going in the right direction!  Or the wrong one…


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About Jim Clark

Hello. I’m from the heartland of the U.S. Lots of corn and beans, although Iowa is a lot more than just farmland. It also has a few computer enthusiasts (no, not me!). I’ve been around PCs since I got my 1st PC XT aloooong time ago. WGS is one of the first sites I found centered around WHS. And the best. Every once in awhile, I do get away from the KB and enjoy time with and my wife and our 4 kids. And I do have a day job.
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  • Aaron

    I'd go with this one. ASUS M4A88T-I Deluxe AM3 AMD 880G USB 3.0 HDMI Mini ITX AMD Motherboard

    And unlock the sempron. to a dual core.

  • Scott

    Go for the SSD & 4GB . You

    • Jim_Clark

      Like I said in the post: "Probably a dumb question…" I'll most likely end up with both!

  • http://twitter.com/welchwerks @welchwerks

    I also like the Lain Li PC-Q07 see below , i am building another identical to this as we speak
    http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2010/01/25/ceto…

    • Jim_Clark

      Again, power-sucking desktop CPU (by comparison). Also, these CPUs gonna require cooling which = fans = noise.

      To me, part of the definition of an HTPC is quiet! :)

      • http://twitter.com/welchwerks @welchwerks

        Hi Jim , i only build low power systems and that pc uses a 150 watt max psu http://www.mitxpc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=PSPSU15…

        everything you see in the closet pic uses less that 200 idle per kill a watt

        cpu uses a fanless heat sink, and a 64GB SSD

        p.s the 8 bay tower in the middle was traded in for a 2 drive raid box

  • Adidas4275

    Even with flash 10.1 I have seen atom htpcs studder with streaming content from either Hulu or Yuotube…. Also high bitrate mkv rips are tough on ion setups

    To me a AMD X2 65w + motherboard and 5xxx gpu for true bitstreaming of 5.1/7.1 content is the cheapest and most reliable.

  • rbonini

    I took at look at building a HTPC a while back. Heres what i came up with: http://rbonini.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/the-propo…

    Never did it though…..

  • rbonini

    About the storage, are you planning on keeping most of your Stuff on WHS? If so, an SSD is probably worth it…. Scott Hanselman has a nice post on moving from a HDD to an SSD here: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/UpgradingMyLenovoW5…

    I'd have to look at the numbers for SSD vs RAM mroe closely, but typically I max out RAM when ever possible (or make sure I can max it out in future when prices come down).

    • Jim_Clark

      "Stuff on WHS": you bet! Which is why both the HDD and SSD are fairly small. An OS and a few necessary utilities…

      And like I said above: "Like I said in the post: "Probably a dumb question…" I'll most likely end up with both!"

      If I don't buy it now, I probably won't later…

  • arebesee

    I am looking at building something similar, looking at upgrading my existing Atom N330 mobo (Zotac IONITX-A) to a new board. I like the looks of the Asus AT5IONT-I, I am not that happy about the RAM choices based on the QVL, so am waiting to see more ppl using it.

    • Jim_Clark

      What kills me on the Newegg reviews is that people give it 4-5 stars when they certainly could not have in hand and working with that RAM limitations that exist.

      Bells and whistles features don't mean anything if you can't Post.

  • xeensd

    @ Aaron – You forgot the cpu cost.

    I have used atoms and desktop cpus in HTPC's. I have found that eventually the HTPC's always end up with games (if you have kids) on them; a low end desktop cpu would be better for this.

    4gb + SSD will make response more seamless… if you are pulling data (videos) from whs… whs will bring more slowdown in my experience.

    If you stick with w7 media center you should consider a media browser setup as well… 1080p film shots while browsing look awesome on the big screen.

    • Jim_Clark

      My youngest is a senior in highschool. Both he and his older brother are diehard Xbox gamers. hmmm. Games on my wife's TV? Not! ;)

      I will keep that in mind ref. the media browser. This is one thing I want to make sure my wife is aware of…

      • Phearce

        What is a "media browser setup"? A card reader? The plugin available at mediabrowser.tv? Something else?

  • Jim_Clark

    Looks cool, but as xeensd stated, no CPU here. Regardless, what really impressed me about the Lenovo Q150, and ATOMs in general, is the low power requirements. Even a low-powered desktop CPU is going to suck power by comparison.

    Question: I take you like Mushkin? I would like to hear more!

  • Mike Lowrey

    You shouldn't focus on the "low power consumption" of the Atom…

    With an Core i3 + H55 chipset you have low power consumption (with intel oder msi h55 baord round about 20W idle) but it's much faster…

    The atom processor is good for small server, but limited while using as htpc!

  • Mark

    Last week I tried configuring a laptop with windows 7 x64 on the dell site and it refused me to select 2 Gb. It stated that x64 required 4 Gb… Not sure if this is a sales tactic, but otherwise at least your memeory choise would be easier!

  • Brandon

    Jim,

    Do you stream netflix at all? I was going to get the q150 (or the fanless shuttle variant) after your review, but posts on avsforums and elsewhere made it pretty clear that the atom/ion combo isn't up to the task for silverlight streaming. Since my gear is not in my tv room, noise isn't a consideration, so I'm looking for a low end i3 system to allow bitstreaming of hd audio and good netflix support.

  • John

    I'm working through the very same questions right now. I want to do netflix streaming. Also streaming video from my home network and possibly hulu – which are the reasons I don't just get a cheap little roku.
    Most reviews I've read of 330+ion systems say that they choke on Netflix HD streaming. The big question I'd like answered is whether the D525+Ion is any better?? If not, then it'll have to be an i3 530 solution.
    See also the Jetway Mini-TOP HBJC600C99-52W-BW at newegg for 269– that's a pretty nice little box, if it's gonna work!
    Thoughts?
    -John

  • http://www.vieclamtuyendung.net/viec-lam-nhanh-kiem-viec-tuyen-dung-tim-viec-nhanh/ viec lam

    Daniel, yea I can see what you probably did there. I really appreciated that part, however hehe I am not that harsh like my dad with these things. He at all times tells me crazy stories again in the day and calls me a loser. I guess it's time I move out of my dad and mom' basement LOL. Aaanyways, what about you? what does your dad think xD" Anyway, in my language, there are usually not a lot good source like this.