For HTPC purpose, the ssd alone would be enough because anyone considering to pay as much fro a HTPC probably already has a NAS or a lot of storage space in his desktop.
The hdd would just be not to scare away people that would like to use it as a tiny desktop or just because of the low numbers on the tech sheet .
Sorry, I wasn't equipped to test noise level, but I wouldn't expect noise levels to change significantly. It's seriously exactly the same unit, just with two HDDs; if you were hitting the storage pretty hard maybe you'd see a marginal increase in noise output compared to the 252B, but I have difficulty believing it'd be anything more than negligible/error margin.
As VMGuy said "For me, hearing the whir of a fan (or BD) during quieter segments of a movie is pretty annoying. "
Totally agree - in fact my stand alone BD player annoys me, which is my I am looking to rip everything onto the NAS (in basement so who cares about noise) and then stream, so my HTPC should have no BD noise, preferably no fan. Nothing comes close as yet but have high hopes of something based on Raspberry Pi or CuBox or even E-450 fusion
I like tiny HTPCs. I built myself a Llano system in a small enclosure (http://preview.tinyurl.com/88djyte). The thing I find a bit puzzling about this config is the HDDs. RAID0 doesn't make a lot of sense. :-)
that's a rather beautiful enclosure. do you have model number/details? in fact, i'm looking into building a small htpc for my parents. would you mind to pm me details of yours?
Sorry about the broken link, the parenthesis at the end messed up the link. Thanks for posting the right one, Raider. Unfortunately, I think they are only selling in Europe. Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de are selling them and the process of buying Amazon from abroad is pretty painless in my experience (I'm in Germany and regularly buy from UK and USA). The German Amazon website has some more pictures of my mod: http://www.amazon.de/JCP-Mini-ITX-Geh%C3%A4use-ext... :-)
I'm curious... what do you want the two Ethernet ports for? So that the PC can also serve as a router/firewall?
(I'm just thinking... I have a a small file server machine like this I built a couple of years ago, and while it does have tow Ethernet ports, I've only ever used one...)
Yes, I would use is as a combined router / media center / home file server, low power machine. I'm currently about to build something for this purpose. It either will be based on intel g620 or amd a6-3500 with some mini-itx mainboard.
However a pre-built pc like this one could be an interesting option, if only it had two ethernet interfaces; I'm not going to use a usb network card etc. 'Server edition' caught my eye and my first thought was finally something with dual network cards, thus my disappointment and comment.
Not just 1TB, but 1TB in Raid 0. As in, even less reliable than a single 1TB drive, just to gain a bit of performance that has questionable benefit in a small file server anyway. In other words, they don't get it.
The name is probably just marketing, to align it with the Mac Mini Server, which also has two hard drives.
The idle CPU temp seems a bit high though honestly I don't know the expected standard for HTPCs. My i5 2500k idles at 29-32 C, I'd always assumed HTPCs idle at around the same or less.
Considering that this temp does not negatively affect anything (like performance, life span etc.) it is really not interesting. They probably made the decision to go with more lenient fan controls. Nothing wrong with that. :-)
Well it was interesting to me since at idle in an HTPC there are a lot less resources running when compared to a desktop. Plus I always thought they would consume less power and generate less heat when compared to a desktop.
Less power and therefore less heat, sure. But also small enclosure, smaller heatsinks, smaller fans etc. Those things go together, so just less heat doesn't mean lower temps. Just look at small notebooks with 35W CPUs, they regularly have higher temps than 95W desktop CPUs. :-)
From the first review it was already clear that the Intel onboard GPU is just not up to the task to fully utilize where a HTPC is build for, this update doesn't change anything, hence even don't understand why bother to review again, There are other platforms much better suited then this. On top of that why bother with those few benchmarks, the cpu is know for a long time, these benchmarks are no real added value.
Maybe they're thinking that heavy duty transcoding is more important than casual gaming for the intended audience. I ran into the same choice a few months ago. Fortunately, all of my video files are in a single format and no transcoding is necessary with the software I use. However, I would like the ability to play the occasional game of Portal. The A8-3850 works perfectly for that purpose.
Aopen has HTPC called Digital Engine 67 (DE67) that can have same performance with 24/7 up-time and industrial grade design. Mini PC 67 (MP67) is good comparison with this unit. I hope Anandtech can test it some day.
ASRock has 2x500GB HDD which will be fast HDD performance.
My Core 100HT is a nightmare. It has been defective since day one, and ASRock can't fix it. I am on my fourth RMA and they have just issued a fifth one. They've replaced the motherboard twice, and each time it would not boot straight out of the box. It will not boot even with nothing installed except the out of date drivers from their CD. It has blue-screened and hung on boot since I got it.
Their technical support is incompetent (I'm being generous here). Once, they suggested the problem was caused by my TV. Then they said it was a problem with the video card even though it doesn't have one. Then they blamed it on Windows Update. Taking them at their word (which I don't recommend), you cannot update Windows 7 to SP1 or this will break the computer.
Don't even dream of installing an SSD unless you're eager to break the Guiness Book of BSOD Records.
I just got off the phone with them and they are going to replace the entire unit and pay for shipping both ways. So while their tech guy is frustrating to deal with, the customer service people are more helpful.
I called them to find out the details about the replacement unit they promised to send, and they said they didn't have a replacement unit to send me.
In other words, they were BSing me to get me sucked back into letting them try to fix it again.
Their technicians cannot fix their products. Twice, they have asked me what repairs I want them to make on the unit. I guess that's so they don't have to take responsibility for diagnosing and fixing it.
if the cabinet has the heatsink kind of look and some nitrogen based cooling (like thin client) required. Moreover the look seems like amatureish./ needs amd / nividia graphics too
Vivek, I skimmed over a few times but didn't notice any dimensions or measurements of the unit (I apologize if you did include it). It would also be nice if you can place another object (coin, ruler) in the picture to give us an idea of the actual size of the HTPC. Thanks.
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beginner99 - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
...and hdd combo?For HTPC purpose, the ssd alone would be enough because anyone considering to pay as much fro a HTPC probably already has a NAS or a lot of storage space in his desktop.
The hdd would just be not to scare away people that would like to use it as a tiny desktop or just because of the low numbers on the tech sheet .
VMguy - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
An HTPC review without any indication of db output? For shame!At least let us know if the second disk accounts for any additional noise relative to the 252B.
Thanks
VivekGowri - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Sorry, I wasn't equipped to test noise level, but I wouldn't expect noise levels to change significantly. It's seriously exactly the same unit, just with two HDDs; if you were hitting the storage pretty hard maybe you'd see a marginal increase in noise output compared to the 252B, but I have difficulty believing it'd be anything more than negligible/error margin.VMguy - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Sorry, I just checked back on the 252B review and found that there were no noise output measurements there either... Doh!For me, hearing the whir of a fan (or BD) during quieter segments of a movie is pretty annoying. Any plans to add this to the review template?
Thanks
VivekGowri - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4713/asrock-coreht-2...cjs150 - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
Now I understandWay too loud.
As VMGuy said "For me, hearing the whir of a fan (or BD) during quieter segments of a movie is pretty annoying. "
Totally agree - in fact my stand alone BD player annoys me, which is my I am looking to rip everything onto the NAS (in basement so who cares about noise) and then stream, so my HTPC should have no BD noise, preferably no fan. Nothing comes close as yet but have high hopes of something based on Raspberry Pi or CuBox or even E-450 fusion
Death666Angel - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
I like tiny HTPCs. I built myself a Llano system in a small enclosure (http://preview.tinyurl.com/88djyte).The thing I find a bit puzzling about this config is the HDDs. RAID0 doesn't make a lot of sense. :-)
darckhart - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
that's a rather beautiful enclosure. do you have model number/details?in fact, i'm looking into building a small htpc for my parents. would you mind to pm me details of yours?
NCM - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
Beautiful? Seriously?pat38 - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
Any one see this REAL HTPChttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Lanmatehk/1803044619...
Lanmate hk mini pc
Death666Angel - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
So, everyone has to have the same taste in your world? :-)zyrmpg - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
your link is 404'd and now I'm curious what this case is. Reup or model #?Raider1284 - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
hi Zyrmpg. This is the enclosure DeathAngel was trying to link to: http://www.jcp-tech.de/fileadmin/images/Products/M...Raider1284 - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
and the link to the product page: http://www.jcp-tech.de/en/produkte/mini_itx/jcp_mi...Is there not a way to edit your own posts?!
Death666Angel - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Sorry about the broken link, the parenthesis at the end messed up the link. Thanks for posting the right one, Raider.Unfortunately, I think they are only selling in Europe.
Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de are selling them and the process of buying Amazon from abroad is pretty painless in my experience (I'm in Germany and regularly buy from UK and USA).
The German Amazon website has some more pictures of my mod:
http://www.amazon.de/JCP-Mini-ITX-Geh%C3%A4use-ext...
:-)
Bejusek - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Server edition and only one RJ-45?! I would buy it if it had two.JKoltner - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
I'm curious... what do you want the two Ethernet ports for? So that the PC can also serve as a router/firewall?(I'm just thinking... I have a a small file server machine like this I built a couple of years ago, and while it does have tow Ethernet ports, I've only ever used one...)
Bejusek - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Yes, I would use is as a combined router / media center / home file server, low power machine.I'm currently about to build something for this purpose. It either will be based on intel g620 or amd a6-3500 with some mini-itx mainboard.
However a pre-built pc like this one could be an interesting option, if only it had two ethernet interfaces; I'm not going to use a usb network card etc. 'Server edition' caught my eye and my first thought was finally something with dual network cards, thus my disappointment and comment.
mcnabney - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
You would use a box with a net storage capacity of 1TB as a storage server?I guess my 18TB server makes everything look puny...
Death666Angel - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
He could add several large HDDs via eSata (RAID) enclosures. :-)Bejusek - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
I admit that 1TB is scarce, but 18TB is a bit of overkill for me. Your words only confirm my opinion that 'server edition' is a joke.Metaluna - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
Not just 1TB, but 1TB in Raid 0. As in, even less reliable than a single 1TB drive, just to gain a bit of performance that has questionable benefit in a small file server anyway. In other words, they don't get it.The name is probably just marketing, to align it with the Mac Mini Server, which also has two hard drives.
faizoff - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
The idle CPU temp seems a bit high though honestly I don't know the expected standard for HTPCs. My i5 2500k idles at 29-32 C, I'd always assumed HTPCs idle at around the same or less.Death666Angel - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Considering that this temp does not negatively affect anything (like performance, life span etc.) it is really not interesting. They probably made the decision to go with more lenient fan controls. Nothing wrong with that. :-)faizoff - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Well it was interesting to me since at idle in an HTPC there are a lot less resources running when compared to a desktop. Plus I always thought they would consume less power and generate less heat when compared to a desktop.Just some assumptions I formed I guess.
Death666Angel - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Less power and therefore less heat, sure. But also small enclosure, smaller heatsinks, smaller fans etc. Those things go together, so just less heat doesn't mean lower temps. Just look at small notebooks with 35W CPUs, they regularly have higher temps than 95W desktop CPUs. :-)duploxxx - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
From the first review it was already clear that the Intel onboard GPU is just not up to the task to fully utilize where a HTPC is build for, this update doesn't change anything, hence even don't understand why bother to review again, There are other platforms much better suited then this. On top of that why bother with those few benchmarks, the cpu is know for a long time, these benchmarks are no real added value.Scannall - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Without a way to put better graphics in it, I am wondering why they didn't go with a mobile Llano CPU instead.queequeg99 - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Maybe they're thinking that heavy duty transcoding is more important than casual gaming for the intended audience. I ran into the same choice a few months ago. Fortunately, all of my video files are in a single format and no transcoding is necessary with the software I use. However, I would like the ability to play the occasional game of Portal. The A8-3850 works perfectly for that purpose.capeconsultant - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
What is up with that?legolasyiu - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Aopen has HTPC called Digital Engine 67 (DE67) that can have same performance with 24/7 up-time and industrial grade design. Mini PC 67 (MP67) is good comparison with this unit. I hope Anandtech can test it some day.ASRock has 2x500GB HDD which will be fast HDD performance.
ZRohlfs - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Since when is an HTPC server going to have all of 1 terrabyte?Secondly, why is there no SDD?
This is just an expensive poor excuse for an HTPC, especially since the CPU cannot properly perform the video tasks it needs too.
/sigh
cknobman - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Then no llano no bueno. HTPC needs to be able to handle media better than Intels pathetic integrated gpu.Waste of build materials and a waste of time reviewing it.
pirspilane - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
My Core 100HT is a nightmare. It has been defective since day one, and ASRock can't fix it. I am on my fourth RMA and they have just issued a fifth one. They've replaced the motherboard twice, and each time it would not boot straight out of the box. It will not boot even with nothing installed except the out of date drivers from their CD. It has blue-screened and hung on boot since I got it.Their technical support is incompetent (I'm being generous here). Once, they suggested the problem was caused by my TV. Then they said it was a problem with the video card even though it doesn't have one. Then they blamed it on Windows Update. Taking them at their word (which I don't recommend), you cannot update Windows 7 to SP1 or this will break the computer.
Don't even dream of installing an SSD unless you're eager to break the Guiness Book of BSOD Records.
faizoff - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
That does indeed sound like a nightmare. It's one of the reasons why I'm considering building my own HTPC. Not sure what to do yet.pirspilane - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
I just got off the phone with them and they are going to replace the entire unit and pay for shipping both ways. So while their tech guy is frustrating to deal with, the customer service people are more helpful.pirspilane - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
I called them to find out the details about the replacement unit they promised to send, and they said they didn't have a replacement unit to send me.In other words, they were BSing me to get me sucked back into letting them try to fix it again.
Their technicians cannot fix their products. Twice, they have asked me what repairs I want them to make on the unit. I guess that's so they don't have to take responsibility for diagnosing and fixing it.
shiznit - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
raid 0 in a server?siniranji - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
if the cabinet has the heatsink kind of look and some nitrogen based cooling (like thin client) required. Moreover the look seems like amatureish./ needs amd / nividia graphics toogamoniac - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
Vivek, I skimmed over a few times but didn't notice any dimensions or measurements of the unit (I apologize if you did include it). It would also be nice if you can place another object (coin, ruler) in the picture to give us an idea of the actual size of the HTPC. Thanks.VivekGowri - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link
195mm x 186mm x 70mm (W x L x D)hasseb64 - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
18 W @ Idle is very good, it's 6 W less then I have in my server at idle and I have used all the best things I could possible buy for money.biostud - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link
you have complaints about looks and the HD3000. The Asrock vision 3D has better looks and GT540M.http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overview.us.asp?Model...
Kisper - Saturday, February 18, 2012 - link
"It was hit all the key points, though it didn’t do anything in particular to set itself apart from the rest of the SFF crowd.">>>>> "It was hitting all the key points, ...."
or
>>>>> "It hit all the key points, ..."