HTPC build list and DDR3

[simo2004]

Hi all

hoping you can help me out here i have a couple of questions to ask first off im building a HTPC not interested in gaming etc but will do some web browsing etc etc

I have been reading reviews and looking about for pars and this is what i have come up with

Case ThermalTake Mini ITX Element Q VL52021N2ED
or
INWIN BP655 Black Mini ITX Case

M/Board ASUS AT3IONT-I DELUXE Intel Atom 330 NVIDIA ION VGA HDMI Out 6 Channel Audio Mini ITX Motherboard
or

ZOTAC IONITX-G-E Intel Atom 330


HDD/SSD WD Caviar Green WD15EARS (for films data etc)
HD Caviar 1.5TB SATA II 64MB Cache

Kingston 64GB SSDNow V SSD 2.5" SATA-II - Read = 200MB/sec, Write = 110MB/sec (windows 7)

Optical Drive LG CH10LS20 Super Multi Blue
BluRay 10x ROM DVDRW BLK SATA BULK INT
or
Samsung SH-B083L 8x BD-ROM with DVD±RW DL & RAM SATA Blu-Ray Drive - OEM Black

Now im not sure what to do here the asus deluxe supports DDR3 but you can get the ZOTAC IONITX-G-E Intel Atom 330
for £50 less which is only DDR2 i cant see any other difference other than the ram and the PCIe

Is it worth the extra £50 for the ddr3? as its only a HTPC will it make much of a difference ?

Also new to SSD is it worth running ur operating system o these drives ?

Thanks in advance ian

[Pob255]

ddr3 on an atom 330 has almost no effect

Have you considered a pre-built system? the ASRock netbox is a good option
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ASRoc...ay-Combo-Black

[simo2004]

hi pob

thanks for the speedy reply, yeah i seen the pre build system.. im pricing up my parts and i never like there cases thats the problem...

do u have one of these ?

[Pob255]

No I don't own one, I'd like to but could never afford or justify the expense, plus I'd need a new tv as my old one only has scart, component or svideo

From what I know of the ASRock netbox it's a good well rounded package, which uses a standard laptop sized BR+dvdrw (also comes in a cheaper dvdrw only version), space for 2x 2.5" hard drives/ssd and standard DDR2 DIMMs (not laptop SO-DIMM)

Review here http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/279..._hd/index.html

EDIT actually it's only 1x 2.5" drive, look like the board only has 2 sata ports

edit: correction that one on scan is the newer modle that can take two 2.5" drives
http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overvie...ION%20330HT-BD
Also has 1x esata and uses SO-DIMM instead of DIMM


correct reviews
http://www.techspot.com/review/227-asrock-ion-330ht-bd/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/A...30HT_BD/6.html

[j.o.s.h.1408]

if you want to game on a htpc check out this thread http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-...ated-info.html

[simo2004]

pobb i have seen these ASRock netbox they look good but for £300 i would rather build one my self and safe some money or builded a higher spec system.. im going to try out the SSD for windows see how i get on..

Josh thanks for the link some good reading on there.. this is purley for HTPH i may look into game machines tho

[Pob255]

If you plan on building it I say go for it just mentioning it as another option and it may well be cheaper than building yourself.
ITX is not cheap

Zotac ION £112
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Zotac...-RAID-Mini-ITX
LG bluRay £57
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/LG-CH...RW-12x-RAM-OEM
APlus CS-102B + 200w psu (scan don't have those tt or inwin cases) £62 (really nice itx cases tend to be twice that and without a psu)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/APlus...-Micro-ATX-PSU
2gb single stick ddr2 £37
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/2GB-C...eitme-warranty
WD cadavar green £66
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/15TB-...64MB-Cache-8ms
Already on £334 and no SSD yet or all the little bits that sneak into a build.

I still say go for it

PS you might want to look at the Lian Li PC-Q07B out of stock at scan atm but for £46 that's a great ITX case http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...TX-Case-No-PSU